Coleman Heat Exh. probs

[dave335]

why not install a theropride?

[dave335]

sorry I meant Thermopride

[selfemployed]

All seriousness aside. I believe after this thread you need a new screen name. Chad Coleman, Mr. H E Coleman, Mr. Kit Coleman or Mr. Bloody Knuckles.

[jpeloni]

We are just south of Kansas City, you must be up north. What you described doesn't sound like any fun at all.
Yesterday I found an old one, not part of the recall, that had a factory installed liner. I'd never seen that before. So maybe they are going back to something they used to do.
I have a feeling this thing is going to drag on for a long time.

[Chad711]

Originally posted by selfemployed
All seriousness aside. I believe after this thread you need a new screen name. Chad Coleman, Mr. H E Coleman, Mr. Kit Coleman or Mr. Bloody Knuckles.

Already obtained it at work, dammit!

[jpeloni]

Got a batch of heat exchangers where one of the bolts at the top is either loose or spins as soon as you put the wrench to it. I wonder if its just a fluke, but three out of four, and it's the same bolt each time.

[Chad711]

Nice... I havent seen that yet. Still waiting on kits, they keep saying they are on the way we have been out for a month. Over 100 people waiting. Had one call saying his wall was on fire, he got a new furnace today ....

[Chad711]

Kits came in the other day, Mr. Coleman (Me)is on the run again. replaced anothe 3 furnaces last week, did maybe 30 kits...

[Chad711]

Well, I think we are done. Finally.

Total Tally.

225 Inspected.

10 replaced with holes burnt into the walls.

34 Heat exchangers replaced.

181 "Upgrade" kits installed.

Im sure a few more will roll in though..


I figure a few lived might have been saved though, so it was worth it, even if I was getting really sick of them!

[Chad711]

Also gonna predict that the lower rivits thats hold that extra limit switch are gonna wear and fall out, alot og them were VERY poorly rivited on, you guys notice this?

[jpeloni]

I had one limit pop out of it's holder, but that's it. It looks pretty cheesy though with the rivets...

We are still getting the calls little by little. I think Coleman went to the next batch of models, but we've done nowhere near the amount you have... we're on about # 20 heat exchanger, and about # 40 kits...our ratio is a bit higher on heat exchangers so far, but no furnaces yet...

One thing for sure, I've had enough practice with these now that it's going a lot quicker, and the mystery of these units is pretty much gone for me...

Hopefully we are reaching the end of this thing.

Happy Easter!

[vikings]

Yes, we are repairing alot of these in PA. We only replace the heat exchangers, not the repair kit. More money and easier to do. Even if the heat x is not cracked - replace the heat x.

[Chad711]

Vikings, you cant do that. They have to be cracked, distorted. They pick up the old heat exchangers, what are you gonna do when they come to pick up 25 "cvracked" heat exchangers and find none?


Anyways, yeah after a few they go quick. I spend more time talking to the customer, doing temp rise, paprerwork than the actual kit. I got bored and timed myself best was 17 minutes from first screw to last

The ones with phillips screws took maybe another 5 minutes

I have one to do first thing in the morning, Im sure itll be cracked cause I have a Munchkin Boiler to install after that, might actually work a full day tomorrow

[Chad711]

Originally posted by vikings
Yes, we are repairing alot of these in PA. We only replace the heat exchangers, not the repair kit. More money and easier to do. Even if the heat x is not cracked - replace the heat x.

Easier to do? No way, plus 90% of the time I do a heat exchanger I have to do a chimney cause they are rusted together.

Now I can see more money in it, but I can also predict someone is gonna be in some hot water. Hopefully this isnt YOUR decision!