Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Philadelphia PA
    Posts
    3,177

    Default furnace technical help needed

    This is a 10 year old Nordyne furnace.
    Can someone tell me what this tube is called and why it might be burned?

    Similar Threads:
    ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images
    Last edited by John Arnold; 02-09-2012 at 11:32 AM.
    Member Benefits1
    "There is no exception to the rule that every rule has an exception." -James Thurber, writer and cartoonist (1894-1961)
    www.ArnoldHomeInspections.com

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Lanham, MD
    Posts
    86

    Default Re: furnace technical help needed

    The photo doesn't show where the tubing terminates so I would guess that it is connected to a diaphragm switch above which closes when the draft inducer produces enough differential between atmosphere and combustion chamber indicating proper draft and allowing the gas valve to open.

    I don't see any scorching around the tubing connection on the draft inducer, so it may just be discolored due to long term exposure to hot combustion gas.


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Philadelphia PA
    Posts
    3,177

    Default Re: furnace technical help needed

    Thanks. My photos of this furnace are somewhat lacking.
    Here is a similar plastic tube with foil on the ends just lying there. At first I thought it was a crack pipe or something. Hey, maybe the installer was smoking crack! That could explain the dimmer switch that controls the fan (see separate thread).

    ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images
    "There is no exception to the rule that every rule has an exception." -James Thurber, writer and cartoonist (1894-1961)
    www.ArnoldHomeInspections.com

  4. #4
    Bob Cone's Avatar
    Bob Cone Guest

    Default Re: furnace technical help needed

    My vote would be for a pressure switch input- need better pictures to tell for sure- but 10 year old furnace, with obviously a inducer blower assembly right there would need some sort of safety check strategy, typically via a pressure switch monitoring negative pressure in the collector box vs atmospheric pressure


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Philadelphia PA
    Posts
    3,177

    Default Re: furnace technical help needed

    Quote Originally Posted by Bob Cone View Post
    My vote would be for a pressure switch input- need better pictures to tell for sure- but 10 year old furnace, with obviously a inducer blower assembly right there would need some sort of safety check strategy, typically via a pressure switch monitoring negative pressure in the collector box vs atmospheric pressure
    Bob - Thanks. Any particular worries about that scorching at the bottom?

    "There is no exception to the rule that every rule has an exception." -James Thurber, writer and cartoonist (1894-1961)
    www.ArnoldHomeInspections.com

  6. #6
    Bob Cone's Avatar
    Bob Cone Guest

    Default Re: furnace technical help needed

    The tubing used is often a high temp variety- I have never seen the tubing in a translucent material.

    My question is if someone may have substituted a generic tube for a quick fix... Best get a HVAC guy in there to take a look...


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Near Philly, Pa.
    Posts
    1,682

    Default Re: furnace technical help needed

    The amber colored tubing in the first pic looks like latex such as used in medical applications. That would explain the heat damage. Depending upon the location of the sensing port, tubing should be silicone or neoprene.

    I would recommend an HVAC inspection with combustion analysis. Having this along with a goofy modification such as a dimmer on an inducer is a red flag.

    Keep the fire in the fireplace.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Philadelphia PA
    Posts
    3,177

    Default Re: furnace technical help needed

    Quote Originally Posted by Bob Harper View Post
    ...a goofy modification such as a dimmer on an inducer is a red flag.
    Bob H. - Thanks. The dimmer is actually on the air handler blower, though.

    "There is no exception to the rule that every rule has an exception." -James Thurber, writer and cartoonist (1894-1961)
    www.ArnoldHomeInspections.com

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Near Philly, Pa.
    Posts
    1,682

    Default Re: furnace technical help needed

    Dimmer on the blower sounds like they are trying to get more heat by driving up the delta T with a lower fan speed. That would account for the heat damaged tubing. All the more reason to get a tech in their who knows combustion analysis.

    good pickup!

    Keep the fire in the fireplace.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •