Reznor forced air hanging utility heater making squealing noises and wont heat
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- Опубліковано 27 сер 2024
- Today I look at a 36 year old Reznor hanging utility heater that is squealing and wont heat. I go through a visual inspection and some troubleshooting before ultimately condemning the unit based on age and cost to repair/further evaluate the heat exchanger.
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When I saw that Reznor furnace and belt the first question I had was “ I wonder if that heat exchanger has more cracks than the belt. Not only is it cracked it has been cracked for years. On the supply side of that heat exchanger you will find cracks. The date you saw on that name plate is the date the furnace made the required specs. You will see a date code like that on all gas furnaces. These are upgraded every few years to match new specs required for efficiency and BTU ratings. There is a fan switch on that furnace that cycles the motor on and off. Some are adjustable some not. The set point if adjustable is 150 degrees on and 90 to 100 off. These set points although correct made for a lot of metal movement due to large fluctuations in temperature. Cold air blowing across 150 degree metal you could hear it pop and ping. They never lasted long. If you can get a scope into the supply duct you will see them.
Thanks ACtech- I didnt know that date was the date made the required specs- again ACtech your bringing the thunder with these tips, big or small those little knowledge nuggets help all of us younger guys
Happy to share my knowledge. Thought about going into teaching but I can’t make the kind of money I do running service. So I spread my knowledge here.
Your more then welcome to spread that knowledge anytime my friend
Thx Bill for sharpening my skills. Cheers 🍻
The right call on that one Bill ... Good vid ...
Thanks Eddy
Good call.
Knust- thanks
Big picture diagnosis. Good job
Thanks
I worked on 3 of those type of units today. 1st was the thermocouple, 2nd one the heat exchanger was cracked in 2 chambers, 3rd was blower motor d.o.a.
Hey Chris- whats the best way to get eyes on those heat exchangers ? On this one it looked like the best way was to remove the blower
@@curioushvacguy6876 well, the cracks on this exchanger was way obvious. It was at the curves. Taking the blower out is the last option for me. Working 15 feet in the air usually on a ladder is never fun. You can try the smoke pellets and put them in the exchanger chambers. The smoke usually comes out from the cracks that hide from our eyes. Its kind of old school but those cameras are sometimes hard to see whats going on deeper in the chambers.
Thats neat, ive never heard of that-- I want to try that now
@@curioushvacguy6876 your local supply house should have that. If not there is always amazon.😜
Cool- thanks Chris
What do you mean replaced ole girl has alot good years ahead of her.
As always Bill great call. As soon as something goes wrong they blame you for being cheap and not caring about their worker. I love you videos. Im a rookie and they give me more confidence. Thanx.
Thanks Sherwin, Im glad you like them and find them usefull-- just trying to share the little bit of knowledge ive picked up through the years
Well the thermostat was f
Hi 5 bro---- man you summed that up perfectly, just perfect, thanks
The thing was fucked
2 screws at the bottom rear and drop the bottom plate to expose the entire heat exchanger.
Some of the newer gas shop heaters are terribly noisy, primarily due to how thin the heat exchangers are.
I don't know how these people can run a shop if they can't even diagnose a bad belt!
Maybe a big ol less efficient electric heater would be better, less noisy for sure-- Thanks for watching
Worst colonoscopy video I have seen today, (of 13.) Thanks for posting, Mr. Curious!
Lol, the worst colonoscopy video youve seen so far.......
I do not think that I have ever seen a belt that neglected.
Chris wants a big check from you.
Hes gotta find me first, lol-- thanks for watching
I think we all have days where we feel like that old cracked belt.
Thanks for this vid. A friend has one in his computer repair shop.
Hope his is better of than this one, lol
Curious HVAC Guy I plan on stopping by in a few days.
Plus the duct shroud is what I have been looking for.
Very nice
Lmao - “for all you new guys out there, when your belt looks like this it’s time to replace it...” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
If there are any new guys out there that don’t realize that that belt needs to be changed then they need to find a new profession... that’s an obvious candidate for a whole new machine... I agree with you about not taking risks with people’s lives and carbon monoxide poisoning. Good video.
Thanks 404- I mean sometimes things just arent worth repairing when you factor everything in, no matter how great it used to be, it will never be that way again. Thanks for watching
That is a old one 115 v thermostat nice belt ha! Good call replace
I agree- thanks for watching Ron
Right decision,you dont take a chance on a 36 year old firebox.If something would happen,and it dosent have to be tomorrow,could happen in 6 months or more,your ass is grass,like you said ITS NOT WORTH IT.!!!!
Thanks Mr Slim- I appreciate the feedback
Hi guy - I generally agree with your diagnosis- however I feel it's the customers decision as to how much money they want to spend on fixing stuff. If you can't diagnose the system by your self then tell them how much the repairs will cost that you can see already and tell them the money they spend might be wasted if the heat exchanger is cracked. You are not privy to whatever maintenance agreements are in place. I have seen customers do lots of things that I consider irrational- but it's their decision - our only responsibility is to leave them with a safe operating unit ... you cover your butt with paperwork and a printed combustion report after your done working on the heater. - as far as your company image goes - how will it look when they call another company and they throw a belt on it and do a combustion analysis and it comes out good - they throw on a belt a motor and two bearings on the blower wheel and there off and running... then how will ur company look.. you will never work for that customer again. It's a fine line we walk between safety and service when we are between customer safety and fair service .. but in my opinion the bottom line decision on how much money the customer wants to spend is theirs.
Hey JT H- You make a valid point, well said as well. Ive had customers pay us for repairs that we highly recommend they didnt go ahead with- for example, my compressor murder video trilogy where I recommended they just replace the unit and not waste there money on repairs. Your right though, it is there money to spend and with that I will say I should have submitted a quote to first remove the back or bottom of the unit to inspect the heat exchanger better, then if that wasnt visibly cracked I would quote for the additional repairs along with a replacement. Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated
Chris will be sending you an invoice.
He wont even notice- hes to busy with his live streams and 80s movies, lol
thank's partner for sharing!!!!.
Thanks for watching Jimbola
I love you man!
Thanks for watching
I think that motor likely has ports for bearing oil. Oil the motor, proper size belt, no CO....good until next time. I realize the shaft moves, I'd let it go this time.
Hey Steve- I didnt see any ports on there to oil it but If there are ports on there that could get that motor back to decent running condition and If I could tear the back off it or bottom to get eyes on the heat exchanger I think your right, it might have been salvageable. Thanks for watching
Better safe than sorry
Thanks--
They don’t make belts that last 36 years anymore. Hell of a waistband. 🥶🥶
Thats right- lol
Happy New Years
Thanks Bro- you to
It would be interesting to know the manufacturers recomendation regarding the heat exchanger (safety). Would they recommend just to test it and operate further or replace it due to age.
Is the gas/fume side on the underpressure so that no fumes can realistically escape through cracks and therefore they (cracks) pose no actual risk?
Hey Luzt- I can see your point, I would have had no issue running that machine If I could have gotten a better look at the heat exchanger, just to test it. But given the Not to exceed dollar amount on my work order and knowing the motor was bad, belt was bad and Id have to tear half the machine apart to really get eyes on the heat exchanger-- it wasnt worth the liability to me but thats just my 2 cents. Thanks for the feedback
@@curioushvacguy6876 Knowing what showed I would probably recommend new unit. I agree with you on that. I'm thinking more from the sales point of view. From my experience what work best is recommendation based on external (e.g. manufacturer) opinion, rules of good practice, laws plus small amount of strongly expressed own experience. When our recommendations are critiqued we are most of the time not there to defend them.
Thank you for your effort to help us learn.
I agree- Im humble enough to admit I dont know everything and through the feedback from this video Ive learned some things from different points of view-- so I appreciate your feedback, it is welcome anytime
Thankyou for sharing knowledge with us
#mechanicalhvacr
Anytime, I try to share what I can
In my opinion you put a belt on tighten it up and run until the customer makes the call to replace based on your recommendation. You had no reason to call that unsafe.
Hey Keith- Your right I didnt have any proof it was unsafe, I also didn't have any proof it was safe, meaning I did discover rust all over the heat exchanger but couldnt see much beyond that due to my horrible scope, so it could be leaking co2. What I should have done was explain to the customer my concerns, co poisoning from a possibly cracked and very rusty heat exchanger, and given them a quote to either replace it based on overall condition or comeback for a few hours and tear it apart and get eyes on the heat exchanger before I did anyfurther repairs. I simply dont want the liability, especially on a heat exchanger that old and rusted.
Hard to get parts grainier has some I have worked on theses before
Thanks for watching
Have you tried a cheap snake cam hooked to a tablet like an ipad. It is as clear as day.. Check amazon out.
I need to look into something better, maybe a handheld plumbers boroscope-- thanks for watching
They probably tell they want one more year out of it. I can’t tell you how many time I’ve heard that. But when it does go bad they want it yesterday.
Your exactly right- thanks for watching
Did this unit get replaced?
Unfortunately im not sure, they didnt call me back- I assume they went with someone else
What was that scope you were using? Does it connect to you phone? I'd like to see a video on that device. Another nice video sir.
Yes it does- its a cheap little camera I got off Amazon for 25 bucks, it does connect to the phone but the video quality is lacking, but honestly for the few times I use it it works ok
Looking at that hex....I thought I was watching Discovering the Titanic....or something...your voice over is like those who do the narration..
Thanks, lol- today UA-cam videos, tomorrow Geico Commercials
Maybe a direct vent model would be a better solution.
Your exactly right- I suggested that if there wasnt an exact match of that unit but I got rejected
Bill, now I'm curious.... what does a unit heater cost where you're at?
Dont quote me on this but for a similar size unit around 800 our cost
@@curioushvacguy6876 Damn, probably about 400 - 600 more this side of the border. Sheesh!
dang bro-
the bad ones I seen, all cracked down near the bottom horizontal across.
This one was starting to rust out down there as well- really wanted to pull it apart and get a better view of that heat exchanger though. Thanks for watching
That is some solid steel they used back then..
If your in doubt...its Defitinely your.call..i would give estimate to fix and one to replace.
Cost effective.is biggest issue..
I agree on that...
Bein solely heat. There not expensive to replace vs.risk..
Good video...
Bryan Tyler Refrigeration ..
Thanks Joseph- Im getting alot of mixed feelings on this oversized space heater, lol, I agree they used solid steel back then and built things to last but the belt was bad, motor was bad, blower was bad, heat exchanger was most likely cracked since it was badly rusted-- for the money its not worth my time dealing with possible call backs or co2 poisoning. I always appreciate your point of view- Thanks Joseph
Hi Curious HVAC Videos can you do a Q &A live stream plz
I might try that one day- If you got any questions feel free to shoot me an email at curioushvacguy@gmail.com
👍👍👍
Thanks Harry
NEVER carbon monoxide deaths on a company or anyone! Pull the plug!
great point Greg
so I'm not the only hillbilly that ducted a heater of that type lol
No sir, lol-- keep up the good work
I'm not questioning your experience or expertise but...I just don't understand why you wouldn't try to fix older machines like that, I mean, wouldn't it be easier to fix instead of fully replacing?😓 I mean I may be wrong, which I'm not saying that I'm right in any way, it just kind of confuses me, I mean older ones like that are becoming more rare, personally I would try and fix it, and even if the customer chooses not to, I would replace it, but keep the old unit and restore it, but then again, you are an expert, and I can't really argue with your reasoning, in all honesty, I guess it is more reliable and cost effective to replace it....it's just I hate to see older machines and units scraped when they could be repaired....I'm probably going to get a lot of crap for this...😓😫
Maybe the customer didnt want to replace the motor and the bearings in the blower assembly as well. Sometimes the small things seem major to people which is right and wrong at the same time. I am sure he offered but once you say 36 years old and it instead of heating the bays it heats many places and even if fixed I would put carbon monoxide detectors everyplace there was a vent
350 to replace it.
@@grindstone5368 This is a Reznor! At least $1200 to replace it.
Good to know. A 100k btu utility heater is generally 350 never bought a reznor🤷♂️
@@grindstone5368 Those $350 ones are NOT commercial grade units.
Please tell me you named the unit Trent.
Lol, it took me a second but I got it now-- lol
A little known fact is that Trent Reznor is actually the grandson of Reznor company founder George Reznor.
Those old reznors heat exchangers are battle tanks, new low profile reznors with the horizontal clam shell heat exchangers crack in 5 years those could go forever. Its the inefficiency you should sell them on, make them watch how long it takes before the blower comes on, and tell them all that while your paying money out the flue pipe. I would have left it to the customer, only because the next guy he calls for a second opinion is going to say theirs nothing wrong with this heat exchanger. no one is going to do a forensic examination of a shitty old unit heater. Do you own your own business? If I were the owner of my own business I wouldn't touch it only because its callback city and once you touch it you own it.
#18 thumbs Up
Thanks steve
But you didn't put a belt on it and see if it would run. Looks like a rip off to me. Just saying I wouldn't hire you.
Thats alright- I appreciate the feedback
Condemning a unit without verifying a failure of the exchanger or doing a combustion analysis? It's not your decision to make for the customer to replace it but rather to provide them evidence of what you see in your professional opinion/experience. Need to pull the blower to inspect it? Follow up with them to see when you can have more time to do so and dig deeper. Invest in a better camera and a combustion analyzer. Not trying to be an a-hole but c'mon man...
What??? And spend a lot of time/money.. That's bad costumerservice. The unit is 36 years old.. That unit needs a complete restoration.. Not worth the money.
@@christiansommer914 It's not his equipment and therefore not his decision to make. He can suggest replacement as an option but telling them that he's condemning it without coming to that conclusion properly is not right.
@@laskalives what are you smoking??? ( and can i have some.) so you think Bill should spend a day stripping the hole thing a part.. And remember it's hanging where it's not very serviceable.. Finde and replace all that is broken.. That will cost more then a new unit or the same.. And you will still have a unit full of old parts.. Please leave name of the company you work at, so others can make a informed decision before you rip them of
Christian Sommer Actually on the contrary; I believe that Bill should have diagnosed the system accurately. His tools limited his capabilities. Plus his “F this” attitude speaks volumes. Yeah it’s old but if we went around condemning 30+ year old units because we act like this isn’t right. Go replace your 20 year old car because it needs X,Y,Z.
Hey Laskalives- I can appreciate your point of view, I really didnt have an F this attitude I just didnt want the customer to spend a bunch of money on a unit that may or may not have layered issued beyond a possible cracked heat exchanger, motor and everything else I could see. In my opinion sometimes things, when theyve reached a certain age and are in a certain condition, are just not worth repairing- with that said I agree with what you said about my diagnosis being limited by my tools, like my not so fantastic boroscope. In hindsight a better step before condemning it would have been to submit a quote, to remove the blower and inspect the heat exchanger fully and explaining in full detail that if it was cracked it will need to be replaced and if not we could get a list of parts it would need for the repair, then along with that repair quote after the full exchanger evaluation I would also recommend the equipment be upgraded.
CO poisoning.
bad, very bad
Yeah maybe that POS belt lol
That I think was the worst belt I have ever seen
Good call .
Thanks A Lance