Repair or replace?

[Unsure]

I live in Michigan and my 10-12yr old single stage, 100,000 BTU Goodman furnace just stopped working. (The gas wasn't kicking on) I got the local service dealer out and firstly they replaced the circuit board at a cost of $XXX. The furnace fired up and within minutes it switched off again. (The trip switch was was being tripped by flames being blown back when the main blower came on.) The tech then said the small blower which draws the air into the furnace was getting old and weak and needed replacing - I found this questionable. Anyway, he replaced it and it made no difference. He put back the original blower. The furnace continued to trip a short while after the main blower came on. (You can see the flames start blowing back when it comes on). He then stated that the HX was cracked and I needed a new one (covered under warranty, but will cost approx. $XXX to replace.) I then questioned whether the original circuit board was shot and he assured me it was, that it was not receiving juice at certain points. Bear in mind that I know nothing about furnaces, but I was present when he started checking the circuit board, however, I suspect that he did not check the tripswitch. Now, I am out $XXX already for a circuit board that might not have been broken and could be out another $XXX for a new HX. If I get a new furnace, the local dealer said the would refund all or some of the cost of the circuit board. I do believe the HX is cracked. What do you guys think?

I got some competitive quotes, (Trane, Bryant and American Standard) and it boils down to spending almost a grand to keep my furnace running, or do I spend +/- SXXXXX and put in a new two stage, variable speed Goodman (I am leaning towards Goodman based on their warranty and what I have read here) and at least I can recoup part or all of the cost of my circuit board. I will also not be pouring money into something that could end up just costing me more money in the longterm.

Please help and thank you!

[HVAC Teacher]

Get another service company. Any good tech would know a rollout when the blower turns on means a bad heat exchanger, not an inducer motor. Assuming what you are telling us is accurate.

[lbf]

It sounds like you're on the right track about your existing furnace. I also think it's likely the tech missed the tripped safety switch when he changed your board. The question I have is what caused your heat exchanger to fail in the first place. You need to check into this or your new furnace will also fail. Have them check the airflow through the system. Two-stage/ variable speed units are very nice.

[Roscoe]

unsure;

(You can see the flames start blowing back when it comes on). He then stated that the HX was cracked

I'd say replace with bryant but I'm a bryant dealer.......:D :D

Trane and Amer. Std are one and the same just pick the right contractor which equipment is not as important, as installer....;)

jmo

[wingerman]

Highly consider the temp. rise over the heat exchanger when you get the new furnace installed. Often, the lack of air flow in the ducts (sizing, restrictions) will cause the the rise to be higher than normal. If this isn't looked into, the same thing could occur again. It's pretty basic that a roll-out safety switch would trip with a cracked heat exchanger when the blower comes on--consider a different company.

[Harleyrider]

I live in Michigan too.........and I know if thats a GMP- ??? that I can change that heat ex cheaper then that.

[danielworkerbee]

I'd tell them "full refund/credit towards new furnace" and proper startup testing to confirm within manufactors spec's. after replacement. Get the extended warranty. luck dan

[vaporlock]

well, sounds like something I had a guy do a few weeks ago. something about that goodman, the gmp's 80% ers, if the rollout is tripped, everything still cycles as normal, except energizing the gas valve, I don't know why this confuses people, this guy was changin parts hoping to find the cause, which can be acceptable as long as it's justified. why would this homeowner have to pay for the board, and the labor for a heat xchanger? I have seen this way too many times. the roll-out tripped, period!! you should get a new furnace, because one, the new heat exchanger will only last as long as the original did, and 2 other parts will eventually go bad (it's a goodman). you should only pay for the service call, and get some quotes on a new unit. I recommend Bryant.
as for that technician at your house, he'll get there, he'll remember this call and learn from it. I had a guy replace board, inducer motor, then limit switch, before calling me out only to find a crack in x-changer. it happens alot more often than not, and is very typical for that age furnace. he remembers that, and will for a while.

[hvacdad210]

replace it .........that said make sure you use a very reputable contractor,ask them what the static pressure of your duct system is ,have them check the duct work for proper sizing,restrictions, enough supplies and that your return/s are adequate for the system this will help ensure that your new furnace will last as long as possible

[webbheat]

Contact a local Goodman Dealer, Goodman has a program till April 07 to change out existing furnace with a new Goodman two stage for a price of $895.00 to you for total job. Have done about 30 in my area with 30 VERY happy customers.

[dash]

Contact a local Goodman Dealer, Goodman has a program till April 07 to change out existing furnace with a new Goodman two stage for a price of $895.00 to you for total job. Have done about 30 in my area with 30 VERY happy customers.

Fine if they will,but get the static/air flow tested and corrected if needed.

[Unsure]

Gentlemen
Thank you all so much for taking the time to share your insight and advice - it is appreciated more than you could possibly know. This has been a fantastic learning experience for me. Nevertheless, any further advice would still be appreciated.

I will be contacting a local Goodman dealer with regards to their current offer. Also, I have been quoted for the installation of a Comfortmaker (same performance specs) at a substantially lower price. Any comments?

[chucko615]

Have any of the contractors done a load calculation? Make sure one is done before you install another furnace. Don't let anyone just install another 100,000 BTU furnace, just because that's what you had before. Changing a GMP HX isn't that hard a job, but I'd go with another company. You had a parts changer out the first time, he should've found the roll out switch tripped before he changed the board.

[Unsure]

Hi Webbheat

Thank you so much for the heads-up! I contacted the local Goodman dealer and the deal certainly does exist! You have saved me a lot of money! Do you know if the deal includes upgrading to a two-stage variable speed? Naturally I would be more than happy to pay the price difference.

[webbheat]

:) Plan only pays for PSC motor, as far as I know, have never asked for variable speed but new furnace uses two speeds of motor for low and high heat. With all AMANA and GOODMAN furnaces now being two stage using single stage tstat if furnace is oversized it will help to reduce existing if any oversized furnaces. Replacement plan gives you no parts warranty but heat exchanger, but I would rather have the new controls and igniter system
than 10 years old parts and take my chances. Have sold all brands of furnaces and switched to AMANA and GOODMAN as my second brand when they changed to AMANA design, now with all units having 10 years parts warranty it makes selling them real easy. Glad I jumped ship and got on GOODMAN Cruse ship. What other brand gives you a furnace replacement for a heat exchanger.

[slimwoodie]

what other brand commonly needs a heat exchanger..?? :confused:

can you say " crimp ring " ..??

[Unsure]

Well, I have the new Goodman installed and I am quite happy. All for a fraction of the original quoted price. Thank you all gentlemen for your help!