oil leak

lchmb

so I had a service call for a Thermopride furnace installed earlier this year (low boy). The oil pump was one of those with the recall (found out after) and of course leaked into the cabinet of the furnace. Unfortunately it leaked enough to cover the pan and run under the hx before it was stopped. Long story short, an insurance company had an engineer come in to "confirm" some issues and they recommended the furnace be replaced due to the leak. After the cleanup this furnace ran without issue but the customer is questioning if it's any good... Am I missing something? There's no odor, no soot...no problems but because the engineer said so it must be bad? Can there be a reason they would recommend replacement?

kcopp

CYA... They dont want the ambulance chasers to get them if there is ever an issue.

lchmb

pretty much what I figured it was... should make for an interesting discussion with the customer...

newagedawn

engineers, all brain, no common sense, it always looks good on paper,...lol and when not on paper take the corporate answer,...replace it, with no thought to the consumer, installer or the cost, must be nice to live in a numbed out world,....NOT!!!!!!

Bob Bona_4

Was the recommendation due to remaining odors?

STEVEusaPA

I had one like this. In this case, the HO ran out of oil, bought some cheap oil from another company and primed the burner himself, but didn't tighten the bleeder.
I think replacement is the best option-especially if you homeowner's policy is paying for it.
Once oil gets into the blower compartment, if the blower turns on, it's now everywhere-blower motor wheel, throughout the heat exchanger and up into the plenum and coil. I don't think anyone could clean it and remove all traces of oil/smell.
Even after the best of environmental cleanups, in my case there was still oil under the entire unit that just can't get cleaned up without yanking the unit.

Jack

I almost always ask the question of contractors in my seminars, "What percentage of your business decisions are based upon your fear of the Trial Lawyers Assoc?" Whether it is right or wrong, the insurance company is driving this train. If you left it in place, you have exposure, I think. If the unit is covered and they have made the call don't overthink it. Put a new one in.

Robert O'Brien

Pump recall?

STEVEusaPA

Robert O'Brien said:

Pump recall?

More like a bulletin about fuel pumps that were shipped and the supply/return plugs may not have been properly tightened and may leak. The exact opposite of what you usually see where you can't get them off.
https://www.beckettcorp.com/support/tech-bulletins/cleancut-pump-a2ea-6527/

lchmb

In this case, the lady smelled oil and noticed some sooting upstairs. A tech responded who observed the inlet plug leaking and repaired the oil and cleaned up the remaining oil. From what i understand it was less than a cup of oil but had run under the front plate and under the hx. After the cleanup we took care of the small amount of soot in the house and the system ran in the spring. There were no other complaints of smell or soot. It has now been 3 months and she is now requesting the change of the unit. I'll be visiting the unit next week. If I notice a smell or staining, I'll replace it. If she pushes to hard...I'll just replace it..going to be a busy fall...

j a_2

It's all a good reason to register your eguipment either by online or mail...Also for installers to kinda stick with the same manufacture....Recalls, and safety bullitens need to reach the end user and as well as the installer...Hopefully the installer is a real installer...and not the cheap moonlighter, who has no coverage,or license....Can and does get really really ugly

lchmb

company I work for installed it..top brand..but they will not warranty it for a fuel leak. I received the notice on the fuel pumps but this one was already in and done. Ahh well we will make it right either way..

j a_2

lchmb said:

company I work for installed it..top brand..but they will not warranty it for a fuel leak. I received the notice on the fuel pumps but this one was already in and done. Ahh well we will make it right either way..

Was posting in general, and did not in any way point fingers, not my intention...It does **** when all the big cooperative guys celebrate there sales while the little guys make up for the crap they sell

lchmb

I'm actually thinking I'll just order a replacement jacket. Burner and hx are fine. only issue would be residual oil in the insulation I would think. Replace that problem solved...

Steamhead

Does the manufacturer have an opinion on this?

lchmb

didnt think to ask...