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I use a Testo 327... and received my training from NCI. The class was 3 days and a bit under $1K investment... WELL worth it!

IMO if one is gonna buy a CA unit... budget for training also.

Originally Posted by 2141

.......Do you think it is necessary to invest in this tool and training?

It's highly advisable if you work on ANYTHING that uses a combustible gas. Plus, it'll give you a leg up on your competitors.

Kudos to you for your forward thinking.

Originally Posted by ga-hvac-tech

More ways than high CO to see a compromised HXE with a CA unit... If one chooses to get into CA, they need to budget for the training also. I thought I could figure it out... not so; one needs the training to understand.

I'll be honest with you I am not familiar with CA at all and thats why i asked. I use a UEI co91 and check the flue co and I check every heat exchanger with a camera because that is what I know. I want to get better so I am actually considering buying the eagle analyzer but I am afraid to spend that much money and not really get the full use out of it. We had a uei rep come in a few months after I got into this business and give a class but I was so green that I really had no clue what they were talking about. Now that I understand things a little better, buying on has been on my mind. Do you think it is necessary to invest in this tool and training?

Originally Posted by 2141

What about the ones that are cracked but do not have high co in the flue? Do you not inspect them all? The last 4 gas furnaces I have performed tune ups on had cracked heat exchangers and only one of them had high co.

More ways than high CO to see a compromised HXE with a CA unit... If one chooses to get into CA, they need to budget for the training also. I thought I could figure it out... not so; one needs the training to understand.

Originally Posted by ga-hvac-tech

This was the reason I bought a combustion analyzer... easier to run a combustion test than do a visual inspection... If the numbers say leak... then pull it apart and find it. Pictures tend to help HO's understand... .

What about the ones that are cracked but do not have high co in the flue? Do you not inspect them all? The last 4 gas furnaces I have performed tune ups on had cracked heat exchangers and only one of them had high co.

Originally Posted by mark beiser

Pulling the coil is no easy task on the vast majority of systems in my area, so it isn't a task undertaken lightly.
When one is like that, it becomes glaringly obvious there is a problem about 3 seconds after the blower turns on, because the O2 and CO readings go wild on my combustion analyzer.

Originally Posted by philjafo

Even with pulling the coil those small holes can be easy to miss, every one of those style hx with the holes on the ripples like that has given me high co readings on the analyzer.

This was the reason I bought a combustion analyzer... easier to run a combustion test than do a visual inspection... If the numbers say leak... then pull it apart and find it. Pictures tend to help HO's understand...

When I took the NCI class for CA, there was a lot more to learn. Well worth the investment IMO.

Originally Posted by mark beiser

Pulling the coil is no easy task on the vast majority of systems in my area, so it isn't a task undertaken lightly.
When one is like that, it becomes glaringly obvious there is a problem about 3 seconds after the blower turns on, because the O2 and CO readings go wild on my combustion analyzer.

Even with pulling the coil those small holes can be easy to miss, every one of those style hx with the holes on the ripples like that has given me high co readings on the analyzer.

I think i have a picture of the units label on my phone, I will check to see and report back.

Originally Posted by craig1

What brand is it? Im assuming Rheem, Nordyne, or Goodman based on the tubular exchanger.

Theres no need to hide brand names. By listing the name, you're helping others locate and correct potentially dangerous situations.

Looks like an Amana to me.

Monarch, I think its a York re label.

What brand is it? Im assuming Rheem, Nordyne, or Goodman based on the tubular exchanger.

Theres no need to hide brand names. By listing the name, you're helping others locate and correct potentially dangerous situations.

Pulling the coil is no easy task on the vast majority of systems in my area, so it isn't a task undertaken lightly.
When one is like that, it becomes glaringly obvious there is a problem about 3 seconds after the blower turns on, because the O2 and CO readings go wild on my combustion analyzer.

you MUST pull the coil out and look!

Attachment 329021Ran into this several times. Furnaces that use this method may have small little leaks in the exchangers. This 8 year old furnace has 32 leaks, notice the little straw I placed into the hole. Man didn't want it fixed but wanted it OUT of his home! Smart move. Major brand that's relabeled and sold to lumber yard for DIY.