Furnace heat exchanger

[stenz]

I'm pretty sure my furnace needs a new heat exchanger. I had it serviced and the tech said it was bad.

Anyone know how much money I am looking at to replace the heat exchanger? The tech said the part was probably under warranty but said that labor could be a lot.

Thanks

[MBsnow]

Did he show you a reading on a carbon monoxide detector. A lot of shops use that bogus claim to sell new furnaces. You only need a new heat exchanger if your furnace is dumping CO(Carbon Monoxide). You can have the utility company come out for free and verify that it is dumping CO into your house. And then again sometimes your might have a cracked heat exchanger, but it is very rare. I have been to sales courses that specifically focus on the heat exchanger in order to scare customers into buying a new furnace, which is total bullshit.

[stenz]

Thanks for the heads up. I will call Xcel and have them come out.

[bryjcom]

If a heat exchanger is cracked, it then becomes CONDEMNED. There are plenty of cracked heat exchangers that do not dump carbon monoxide but I still condemn them and most people end up buying a new furnace. Just because its not dumping CO now doesn't mean it won't in 3 days.

Did the tech show you the crack? If its cracked the furnace or exchanger NEED to be replaced. I have gone on calls were people are seeking a 2nd opinion because XYZ company said it was cracked and for the life of me, I could not find a crack. A lot of guys will tell customers their furnace needs to be replaced simply cause they want to make the commission. If he showed it to you and you could see the crack, then its cracked and needs to be replaced.

Heat exchangers are probably the most expensive repair on the furnace because almost EVERYTHING has to be removed with the exception of the blower assembly. Gas valve, burners, burner box, inducer motor, limit switches, pressure switches and what ever else is on the top burner section HAS to come out before you can even start taking out the heat exchanger. Not terribly hard but its time consuming. Some of them are easier than others, just depends.

[buffalobo]

What is procedure if Xcel inspects and condemns?

[Great-Kazoo]

What is procedure if Xcel inspects and condemns?

Replace. For the time & labor involved. I'd go with a new unit. UNLESS that unit is under warranty.

[buffalobo]

Do they red tag and demand that you not use it til repaired?

[bryjcom]

They usually just check for CO and then red tag it or shut it down and tell you to call an HVAC company.

They don't determine what's causing it, just whether its coming from the vents, or flue pipe, or furnace burner compartment, etc, etc.

[bryjcom]

If the OP was showed the crack in the heat exchanger, then its a waste of time to call the gas company. They are just going to kick it back to an HVAC company.

[flogger]

Not a good time for a furnace to go out, I've had some great service with Plumb-line for HVAC issues, good guys.

[buffalobo]

They usually just check for CO and then red tag it or shut it down and tell you to call an HVAC company.

They don't determine what's causing it, just whether its coming from the vents, or flue pipe, or furnace burner compartment, etc, etc.

This was where I was headed. Tough time to get shut down then have scramble to get repaired during busy season and sub zero temps.

[newracer]

This was where I was headed. Tough time to get shut down then have scramble to get repaired during busy season and sub zero temps.

Even worse time to die from CO poisoning.

[buffalobo]

Even worse time to die from CO poisoning.

Exactly, freeze or asphyxiate = [panic]

[stenz]

The furnace works great. I just had it cleaned because we are thinking of selling the house. I purchased a new CO alarm a few days back so now we have 2 in the house.

[MBsnow]

Replace. For the time & labor involved. I'd go with a new unit. UNLESS that unit is under warranty.
I second. If its producing CO then you will have to replace. You typically need a bore scope camera of some type in order to see any cracks, as the heat exchanger is not easily accessible. Thats why when guys say there is a crack without digging into the unit or seeing CO production on a meter, they are trying to sell you a furnace under false pretenses.

Stenz- I am curious. How old is your unit?

[stenz]

I second. If its producing CO then you will have to replace. You typically need a bore scope camera of some type in order to see any cracks, as the heat exchanger is not easily accessible. Thats why when guys say there is a crack without digging into the unit or seeing CO production on a meter, they are trying to sell you a furnace under false pretenses.

Stenz- I am curious. How old is your unit?

The tech showed me on his hand held camera/scope. The unit was built in 1997.