Trane Secondary Heat Exchanger

[sammct]

Hi all! I'm house sitting and had to call the HVAC guys when the furnace wouldn't fire up this morning. Trane TUX100R948W

Ignitor and 5 burners were replaced and now it runs fine. Tech noted that: "looks like the secondary heat exchanger is leaking condensation. Unit is getting rusty on face plate and in L channel across bottom of face plate."

So, before I have them replace the secondary heat exch. I want to make sure he's not just trying to upsell me. But he warned that if left as is it could leak condensate onto the circuit board and end up costing more money.

This furnace sat idle for 2 years without running at all before I arrived in Feb. The basement is sand floor and block wall. We are in NW Michigan where winters are brutal with much lake effect snow. When I asked the tech if this could have contributed to the condition of the furnace/heat exch. he seemed skeptical. He thought it was more likely a design flaw in the heat exch itself (something about cheap plastic screws).

I don't want to DIY. I like the guy and will have him back out to do the additional work if it is needed.

What do you think? And thanks in advance. What a cool forum :cheers:

[danielworkerbee]

Whats the serial number or date of install ?
Natural gas or propane ?
luck dan

[jpsmith1cm]

Whats the serial number or date of install ?
Natural gas or propane ?
luck dan

danielworkerbee,

Please read and follow the new AOP rules.

The links for the AOP rules and application for AOP (*) membership are in my signature.

[beachtech]

there was a bulletin on some of the Trane secondary heat exchangers. None that i know of used plastic screws.

if that heat exchanger is leaking water, it can also be leaking carbon monoxide into your home as well, not something to be taken lightly.

and a part replacement isn't really an upsale... accessories are upsales, not valid failed parts :toetap:

[timebuilder]

Upsale? No.

[sammct]

Ok upsale was the wrong term.
The propane furnace was installed in 2003
The tech specifically informed me that CO was not a risk - only condensation damaging the circuit boards.
Can I look up bulletins on Trane's or any other website?

I guess the crux is this - I don't think this thing was used very much, sat on block in a basement with a sand floor where water and snowmelt can get in. Could the condition of the furnace just be due to condensation in the basement where it lives? I'm just trying to be a good steward for the property by making good decisions on behalf of the homeowner.

[beachtech]

i am concerned how someone can tell you that a heat exchanger is leaking, but not to worry about carbon monoxide being an issue...

the conditions that the equipment is in may very well have cause unusual wear and tear to the equipment.

am unaware of how you can source any service buletins, as they come to me though email, as am a trane dealer, and any trane dealer should be able to go to the contractors web page and source a bulletin or any that may have been published for that furnace.

propane fuel can also be a cause for shorter lifespan of that particular part.

[dunkman]

Ok upsale was the wrong term.
The propane furnace was installed in 2003
The tech specifically informed me that CO was not a risk - only condensation damaging the circuit boards.
Can I look up bulletins on Trane's or any other website?

I guess the crux is this - I don't think this thing was used very much, sat on block in a basement with a sand floor where water and snowmelt can get in. Could the condition of the furnace just be due to condensation in the basement where it lives? I'm just trying to be a good steward for the property by making good decisions on behalf of the homeowner.


There is a plastic piece on the secondary heat exchanger. It's called the cold header. It collects condensation from the flue gases and drains them away. It's a fairly common problem. Back in 2004 was the worst for cracking. ALthough I have seen it on other model years as well. I don't think replacing the secondary is really an option. Generally you will get the entire heat exchanger, primary and secondary in one assembly. At least that's how we do it. The parts should be under warranty. I've replaced a couple dozen of them...:whistle:

[johnt2_2002]

There is a plastic piece on the secondary heat exchanger. It's called the cold header. It collects condensation from the flue gases and drains them away. It's a fairly common problem. Back in 2004 was the worst for cracking. ALthough I have seen it on other model years as well. I don't think replacing the secondary is really an option. Generally you will get the entire heat exchanger, primary and secondary in one assembly. At least that's how we do it. The parts should be under warranty. I've replaced a couple dozen of them...:whistle:

Seen a few fail as well. The entire heat exchanger will require replacing...i would not use the furnace until it is repaired for your safety......

[shhvac14]

danielworkerbee,

Please read and follow the new AOP rules.

The links for the AOP rules and application for AOP (*) membership are in my signature.

Okay, I'll bite. What rule was he in violation of? All I saw was questions being asked. Not questioning your judgement, just didn't seem there was anything wrong to me.

[chuckcrj]

if that heat exchanger is leaking water, it can also be leaking carbon monoxide into your home as well, not something to be taken lightly.
:

How? Isn't the inside of the HX under a negative?

[jpsmith1cm]

Okay, I'll bite. What rule was he in violation of? All I saw was questions being asked. Not questioning your judgement, just didn't seem there was anything wrong to me.


Not actually in violation of any rule.

I suggest that all eligible professional members apply for AOP membership.

[timebuilder]

Okay, I'll bite. What rule was he in violation of? All I saw was questions being asked. Not questioning your judgement, just didn't seem there was anything wrong to me.

Not yet. He was asking for more info. I can only think of one reason someone would ask for more info, and that is to in turn advise the OP regarding the problem.

In the rules, professional members with the easily obtained "*" are authorized to give advice, within limits.

So, while no rule had been violated, we are trying to be on the proactive side, and encourage all eligible Pro members to apply for the "*" so they can post here within the limits we have established.