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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
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    so so, California
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    Default Havent seen this yet...

    Got too hot? Looking for opinions on this issue.

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring Hill (Nashville), TN
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    5,851

    Default Re: Havent seen this yet...

    Quote Originally Posted by Marc Mazza View Post
    Got too hot? Looking for opinions on this issue.
    No, getting too hot did not cause that.

    That is just an old gas furnace that is toast and needs to be replaced.

    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring City/Surrounding Philadelphia area
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    Default Re: Havent seen this yet...

    A large percentage of the byproduct of burnt gas is moisture. The moisture is acidic and corrosive and will start to break down masonry as well as metal. What your pics show appears mostly to be the result of years of use and condensate condensing on the metal surfaces. How old was the furnace?

    "It takes a big man to cry. It takes an even bigger man to laugh at that man". - Jack Handey

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    so so, California
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    1,867

    Default Re: Havent seen this yet...

    Quote Originally Posted by Nick Ostrowski View Post
    A large percentage of the byproduct of burnt gas is moisture. The moisture is acidic and corrosive and will start to break down masonry as well as metal. What your pics show appears mostly to be the result of years of use and condensate condensing on the metal surfaces. How old was the furnace?
    Hey Nick,
    Its a 1986 furnace. That makes total sense. Dont know how come I havent seen anything like it before yesterday.
    Question. I go into this track all the time and have never seen this on any other unit. Anything within a typical furnace that may accelerate this occurence with any one unit (like this) as opposed to others?
    Thanks for your input, very helpful.

    Last edited by Marc M; 01-29-2011 at 10:37 AM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring City/Surrounding Philadelphia area
    Posts
    3,509

    Default Re: Havent seen this yet...

    Quote Originally Posted by Marc Mazza View Post
    Hey Nick,
    Its a 1986 furnace. That makes total sense. Dont know how come I havent seen anything like it before yesterday.
    Question. I go into this track all the time and have never seen this on any other unit. Anything within a typical furnace that may accelerate this occurence with any one unit (like this) as opposed to others?
    Thanks for your input, very helpful.
    It could be a number of things. There could be something affecting the way the unit drafts like the sizing of the flue pipe or the number of bends in the pipe. There could be something else within the same room or area that is competing with the furnace and creating more of a draw and slowing down the unit's draft. I see a lot of older forced air systems that have multiple unsealed gaps and seams on the return ducts, no cover on the air filter bay, and poorly installed filter bays and return ducts with large open gaps where the return connects to the furnace cabinet. If you have enough gaps and openings like these next to the furnace, it can be same as having an open return vent too close to the unit. If that's the case, the furnace is essentially fighting against itself. Natural draft will lose when in competition with a mechanical draw like the fan blower on a furnace.

    "It takes a big man to cry. It takes an even bigger man to laugh at that man". - Jack Handey

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Snowbird (this means I'm retired and migrate between locations), FL/MI
    Posts
    4,086

    Default Re: Havent seen this yet...

    Where is the water heater and its vent?

    Do I see several inches of dark insulating roof goop slathered on at the cowl & vent? instead of the missing storm collar/drip ring?

    What's the specifics on the furnace - draft fans, etc. defeated? efficiency? subject to a venting recall?

    Never having the unit serviced, short cycling, bad thermocouple, things that come to mind.

    Should be condemed, red-tagged, Danger.

    Last edited by H.G. Watson, Sr.; 01-29-2011 at 02:56 PM.

  7. #7
    Ted Menelly's Avatar
    Ted Menelly Guest

    Default Re: Havent seen this yet...

    Quote Originally Posted by Marc Mazza View Post
    Got too hot? Looking for opinions on this issue.

    I have an answer for you but others have already stated possibilities.

    I do have a better answer though.

    It does not matter. The system is wasted and needs replacing so when they do.....problem solved.


  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    so so, California
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    Default Re: Havent seen this yet...

    Quote Originally Posted by Ted Menelly View Post
    I have an answer for you but others have already stated possibilities.

    I do have a better answer though.

    It does not matter. The system is wasted and needs replacing so when they do.....problem solved.
    Well stated Ted. I cant argue with that.

    Thanks for the input Nick, very helpful.


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Western Montana
    Posts
    261

    Default Re: Havent seen this yet...

    As previously stated - age, possible poor drafting, and lots of water vapor in the combustion. Except for the last picture, I would have guessed it was an older furnace from the 70s. Is this installed in a damp basement, near other appliances or plumbing that may have had chronic leaks/condensation, water heater, or a nearby laundry area? Probably never adjusted and maintained. I would not necessarily state that it was at end of life, but would recommend review by a HVAC pro based on age and appearance alone.


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    conyers, ga
    Posts
    97

    Default Re: Havent seen this yet...

    have seen many older systems with A/C that had metal drain pans on the evap coils in a vertical installation fail and condensate leaking down into the guts rusting and compromising the furnace.


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