My Pro says "new gas valve", but....

[greggr]

My local pro came to look at my Janitrol (GMP) furnace. It started clacking very loudly when the gas shuts off before the cool down. He said (without looking at the system) "It's the gas valve, we better replace it." He ordered the part and left. The deal is it's a $ part (he says), and how can you troubleshoot a furnace without pulling the cover?! I'm a contractor myself (decks, painting and maintenance), and something seems wrong with not roubleshooting. Is the guy on the right track or is he selling me something I may not need?

The draft inducer is sounding a little noisy too in recent years, but never got a chance to ask him to replace that as well... but maybe I have the wrong pro on the job?

[the dangling wrangler]

I think you answered your own question.
It's time for a second opinion.

Did he quote you a price before ordering the part? And did you OK it?
If the inducer motor is headed South too, it's probably in your best interests to replace the whole furnace.

[Airmechanical]

My local pro came to look at my Janitrol (GMP) furnace. It started clacking very loudly when the gas shuts off before the cool down. He said (without looking at the system) "It's the gas valve, we better replace it." He ordered the part and left. The deal is it's a xxxxpart (he says), and how can you troubleshoot a furnace without pulling the cover?! I'm a contractor myself (decks, painting and maintenance), and something seems wrong with not roubleshooting. Is the guy on the right track or is he selling me something I may not need?

The draft inducer is sounding a little noisy too in recent years, but never got a chance to ask him to replace that as well... but maybe I have the wrong pro on the job?

read the site rules, no prices, or DIY instructions



.

[coolwhip]

If it says Janitrol, its always a best bet to replace the whole furnace.:LOL:

[greggr]

Airmechanical - I read the rules. I'm not asking for DIY, I have no intent/desire to fix myself. I'm asking if the supposed PRO I paid a trip charge to (and will pay another when he retruns to install) can be correct without troubleshooting eg - is it possible to accurately assess an HVAC problem without actually doing anything? Maybe your industry is different than mine and you consider a verbal without an assessment as a normal way of doing business? I was just looking for a pro opinion of how a "pro" would deduce a problem, not instructions on how to fix anything.

[greggr]

Hi Wrangler - thanks for your reply. No, he called for pricing (back to his shop). I did not ok it. I told him I would phone by the end of the day.

[greggr]

Ohhhh, I see Airmechanical - PRICES! Sorry!

[greggr]

Thanks for the advice guys - I now have two other pro's scheduled to look at the problem.

[FSHS]

The cost of repair compared to the replacement of furnace needs to be looked at before making the repair. you said the inducer motor is marginal, the heat exchangers had a problem in that furnace. please allow a true technician to check your system, & the proper size furnace for the duct.

[tallertech]

If you are worried about being taken, call around to local contractors and ask whether their techs are paid commission on parts/repairs. If yes, run. If no, then there is no financial motivation other than his time/hourly pay, which should encourage/reward him for taking the time to diagnose and fix properly ... assuming he knows what he' doing.

That being said... there are some old timers that really are that good. They have like Jedi powers almost, and they have seen that exact furnace to that exact thing thousands of times before. As a technician, my ears are very important in troubleshooting, so we can't immediately dismiss him.

[the dangling wrangler]

If you are worried about being taken, call around to local contractors and ask whether their techs are paid commission on parts/repairs. If yes, run. If no, then there is no financial motivation other than his time/hourly pay, which should encourage/reward him for taking the time to diagnose and fix properly ... assuming he knows what he' doing.

That being said... there are some old timers that really are that good. They have like Jedi powers almost, and they have seen that exact furnace to that exact thing thousands of times before. As a technician, my ears are very important in troubleshooting, so we can't immediately dismiss him.

I agree with most of what you've said.
But, I wouldn't trust my doctor,if he didn't at least take a few readings,and simple checks, before he performed surgery on me. Would you?

[DanW13]

If the furnace you currently have is over 10 or 12 years old it has served you well and instead of putting good money into bad I would forget about the repairs and look at having all the equipment replaced before it takes a big dump on you in the middle of winter on the coldest day of the year. Will be much cheaper as well if you have it replaced now when your not in need where someone can easily take advantage of you sue to your predicament or replace it when you have time to shop around for the price you can afford and to have the right person/company do the installation work.