How To Clean A Gas Furnace Burner In A Mobile Home

Side by side time your forced-air gas furnace acts upward, peradventure one of these bones troubleshooting tips will relieve y'all a service call. Plus we'll prove you some maintenance tips that will help keep your furnace in top shape. Compared to a gas furnace, an electric furnace is a bit simpler to sympathize. Information technology has less parts and doesn't require a chimney.

Mobile Home Gas Heater Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Please recollect that this information is simply a guide and in no manner do we claim fault or liability if information technology doesn't work for you. Apply this article to help maintain and troubleshoot your furnace, but nosotros recommend calling a qualified technician to perform any repair. If you lot endeavour whatsoever repairs to your furnace, you are attempting them at your own take a chance. Once more, If any doubts please phone call a qualified technician to perform the repairs. Having said all that — let'south move on!

Furnace Parts

• Empathise how your furnace works.
• Let the furnace tell you what's wrong.
• Furnace runs constant short heating cycles.
• Burner won't light — continuing airplane pilot furnace.
• Burner won't low-cal — electronic ignition furnace.
• Centrifugal switch or combustion air blower problem.
• Maintaining the blower assembly.
• Blower will not come on.
• Blower volition not close off.
• Inspecting the heat exchanger for deadly holes.
• Cleaning the A-coil.
• Replacing a furnace filter.

Understand How Your Heater Works

When problems arise, knowing how your gas furnace functions volition aid you determine what the problem may be. To understand how a typical manufactured dwelling furnace operates, check out this menstruum-chart.

Let Your Mobile Home Furnace Tell You What'southward Wrong

Many of the newer furnaces will practically tell yous what's wrong past locating a diagnostic lawmaking which is simply a flashing lite. Often times the flashing code can be located by removing the acme panel of the furnace. Item A in the photograph shows the location of the flashing code on this furnace. It uses a green light. If the light is solid it's not detecting a problem. If the green light flashes, then there'southward a problem. Count how many times the lite is flashing in sequence and wait upwards the diagnostic code in the furnace'due south manual. Or you may find the diagnostic lawmaking posted on the furnace door or on the furnace itself. For example, on some furnaces if your code flashes 3 times that means you take a bad centrifugal switch. The diagnostic code is different with all furnaces, so be sure your looking at the chart for yours. If you have an older furnace with a pilot light, well-nigh likely it won't have any type of flashing diagnostic code organisation.

Item B has both a green and ruby light but this is non a diagnostic code for the furnace. This box is labeled blend-air and information technology'south function is to bring in fresh air. If there's a trouble with the blend-air unit, a red light will wink and you may hear a beep. More often than not, if you do hear this unit beeping or see the red light flashing, it's not a life-threatening alarm and you volition be OK to run your furnace until you can get it repaired. The unit should have a switch to close off the beeper and then information technology doesn't drive y'all nuts.

If your furnace is still nether warranty, you'll want to get the alloy-air (as well called Fresh Air Fan) unit fixed equally before long as possible or your warranty could be voided.

Furnace Runs Constant Short Heating Cycles

If your furnace runs fine merely constantly runs many short heating cycles instead of an occasionally long (normal) 1, then you demand to make an aligning within the thermostat on the wall.

To make the adjustment, lift off the encompass from the thermostat and locate the anticipator. If your furnace is running brusk cycles, the anticipator is probably set on .two or lower. Check your furnace manual and move the lever or dial to the setting they recommend which is normally in the .3 to .4 range. Your curt cycles should at present cease. Some thermostats (like the 1 pictured) accept an anticipator for both a/c and heat.

For optimum performance and safety of your furnace, you should never guess at the anticipator settings. Always refer to the manual or contact the manufacturer. Yous may also be able to get the anticipator settings by looking at the gas valve for the amp setting.

Burner Won't Light

First determine if you have a standing airplane pilot furnace or a furnace with an electronic ignition.

Continuing Pilot Furnace. If your furnace has a pilot low-cal that'south lit all the time, and then you have a standing pilot furnace. Almost older furnaces are continuing pilot. On a side notation, leaving your airplane pilot lit all year long is a proficient thought as it helps keep out condensation preventing rust.

If the burner in your standing-airplane pilot furnace won't light, try these troubleshooting steps.

1) Thermostat. Brand sure your thermostat is set up to 'heat' and turned upwardly.

2) Airplane pilot Calorie-free. Be sure your airplane pilot light is lit. To light, follow these steps:
a. Be certain gas to furnace is on.
b. Turn knob on gas valve to pilot.
c. Press knob down and concur (or slide and agree on some furnaces). Insert a long match within furnace and light pilot.
d. In one case the airplane pilot is lit, keep holding down the button for at to the lowest degree 30 seconds.
e. Slowly let the button upwardly. If the airplane pilot remains lit, turn the knob to 'on' If pilot goes out, wait 5 minutes and repeat steps c thru e.

If the pilot does not light right away, you may have air in the line. Trying several times to light the pilot should eventually purge the air and allow the pilot to calorie-free. Note: Always wait 5 minutes earlier trying to relight a pilot to allow all residual gas to dissipate. If the pilot all the same doesn't light, read on.

3) Thermocoupler. If the thermostat is set right and your airplane pilot still won't low-cal, you could take a problem with the thermocoupler or a dingy airplane pilot lite (or both). Offset exist sure that the thermocoupler hasn't slipped or shifted and not getting the total flame from the pilot light. If that'south not the problem, then supervene upon the thermocoupler and cheque that the pilot light is articulate of any debri.

When you get the airplane pilot lit, here's one style to test that y'all have a strong thermocoupler:
a. With the gas valve on and a picket in hand, blow out the pilot low-cal.
] b. Listen to the gas valve and count the seconds until yous hear a click telling you that the gas valve has airtight.
c. If y'all hear a click in 25 seconds or less, replace the thermocoupler and clean the pilot calorie-free. d. If you hear a click in 25-60 seconds, your thermocoupler is probably fine.
Look five minutes before relighting pilot.

Y'all're probably wondering why it takes longer for a gas valve to close with a good thermocoupler and a clean pilot light? That's because if everything is working properly, the thermocoupler will exist hot which takes longer to cool down and signal the gas valve to close.

A thermocoupler only costs a few dollars and is available anywhere including stores similar Walmart. Thermocouplers come in various lengths and length is non important in how it functions as long as it reaches from the gas valve to the pilot light.

Since thermocouplers are and then inexpensive, replacing it and cleaning the pilot lite should always become hand in paw. Never exercise one without doing the other.

4) Transformer.A transformer converts the 110 volt power coming into your furnace to 24 volts for use by certain parts including the thermostat. When you locate the transformer, the connections that say 'line' are for the incoming 110 volts. The connections that says 'load' are the outgoing 24 volts. In fact, looking for the words 'line' and 'load' is one style to help locate the transformer within your furnace. Of grade non all transformers say 'line' and 'load' so learn what yours looks like earlier testing.

Using a voltage meter, first check that the transformer is receiving 110-120 volts on the 'line' side. And so test the 'load' side for 24-28 volts. Supersede the transformer if the 'load' side is not registering 24-28 volts.

5) Gas Valve. If your burners nonetheless don't low-cal, so yous probably need a new gas valve. Gas valves are expensive so be sure you've exhausted all the above sources before replacing.

Mobile Home Electronic Ignition Furnace

If your furnace doesn't accept a standing pilot light, so it has an electronic ignition. Furnaces have 2 types of electronic ignition — glow plugs or an electronic spark. In some cases this type of ignition may create a spark to light a pilot and then behave like a standing pilot furnace as talked well-nigh above. Merely for the about part, they behave as discussed in this section.

If the burners won't light, try these troubleshooting steps:
A) Check for a flashing diagnostic code as talked about above.
B) Does the ignitor come up on and glow for more than v seconds? If non, replace the ignitor.
C) If the ignitor comes on and the burners nevertheless don't low-cal, and so supplant the flame sensor and check that the orifice to the burner is clear.
D) If the burners still don't lite, and so you may have a problem with the centrifugal switch, ignition control or gas valve. Neither prepare is cheap and at this point you may desire a qualified technician to examine your furnace.

Centrifugal Switch or Combustion Air Blower Problem.

The combustion air blower, also known as an induced draft motor, has 3 functions. First, it purges or clears any residual gasses and/or by products out of the combustion chamber. Second, information technology continues to accident through to the flue to assist in the natural draft of the burned gas by-products. Third, it provides combustional air to the burners.

The centrifugal switch senses whether or non the combustion/induced draft blower is running. If running, the switch closes allowing current through the switch to start ignition. On some newer furnaces, a pressure switch may be used instead of a centrifugal switch.

Probably the only way you'll know whether or not you have a problem with the centrifugal switch is because the ignition command (circuit panel) is flashing you a code telling you lot that the switch is either stuck open or stuck close. The code is telling you that either the switch is defective or there'due south a problem with the combustion air blower. In many manufactured dwelling furnaces, the centrifugal switch is located within the combustion air blower. In that case, repairing the switch would likewise hateful replacing the blower.

Another tell-tale sign of having a bad centrifugal or pressure switch is that y'all can hear the combustion/induced draft motor run and run without the burners ever lighting. Of course, when the burners don't light after 2 or iii tries, the furnace will close down.

Maintaining The Blower Assembly.

For the most part the blower assembly contains four parts — the blower wheel & it's housing, the blower motor, the fan capacitor and the temperature control switches.

Capacitor. The fan capacitor is often connected to the side of blower housing (snail beat out). Be sure to NOT touch the capacitor terminals. Even with the Ability OFF, the capacitor can/volition store loftier voltage that tin be injurious and/or fatal. The fan capacitor helps give the motor an extra outburst of power to go it started. Whenever a blower motor is replaced, so should the fan capacitor.

The temperature control switches are generally separate from the blower assembly. More about those afterwards.

Servicing the blower assembly basically ways oiling the motor and cleaning the clay out of the blower wheel and housing.

Belts. Some blowers are belt-driven meaning in that location'south a chugalug between the motor and blower, although this type of ready-up is rare in a manufactured home furnace. If y'all have a belt-drive system, then maintenance should include inspecting the belt for wear and proper tension.

Oiling. If your blower motor needs oiling, that should exist done twice a twelvemonth. Manually-lubricated fan motors volition accept TWO oil ports. They will exist on the non-shaft end of the motor. They volition be straight across from each other at the edge of the end of motor. They will (if not previously removed) take a plastic plug in the holes (commonly yellow or blue). A lot of times, if all the same legible, the fan label will say if it's self-lubricated (pregnant sealed with no oil ports).

To oil, identify ane-4 drops of 3in1 SAE xx motor oil (found in the blue and white can) into each oil port. If you lot accept your manual/instructions for your furnace, read it and follow your units specifications on oiling and whatsoever other maintenance. Keep in mind that oiling too much is as bad as oiling also little.

Cleaning. The all-time style to make clean the blower wheel (squirrel cage), blower housing and blower motor is to remove it by following these instructions:

Temperature switches determine when a blower runs and when it doesn't. Names for these switches, which vary from furnace to furnace, are called fan control, limit switch, upper limit switch or lower limit switch. A furnace may have more than ane of these switches.

When the oestrus exchanger gets hot from the burners, either the fan command, limit switch or upper limit switch will tell the blower to turn on at a 'pre-gear up' temperature. When the burners are no longer lit considering the telephone call for rut by the thermostat has been met, then either the fan control, limit switch or lower limit switch will tell the blower to cease in one case the temperature inside the heat exchanger has cooled to a 'pre-set' temperature. Also remember that the burner ignites (comes ON) before the blower starts and extinguishes (goes OFF) before the blower shuts off.

If your blower isn't functioning properly, a possible cause is one of the higher up temperature switches. Practise continue in mind that transformers, thermostats, fan relays, excursion boards and capacitors besides affect how a blower functions and you could accept a possible problem with one or several of these components. Calling a competent technician is e'er the most recommended way to troubleshoot your furnace problem.

Mobile Home Furnace Blower Will Not Come up On.

If your blower does non turn on, showtime await through the viewing hole in a higher place the gas valve and meet if the burners have lit. If you don't run across them burning, and so bound to the burner won't light department. If the burners DO low-cal, they will then go out if the blower does non come on.

In determining why your blower doesn't come on, first cheque to meet that the problem isn't in the blower motor itself. This is hands tested by moving the fan switch on your thermostat from 'motorcar' to 'manual' or 'on'. This should start the blower right away. If the blower doesn't get-go, then the trouble could exist a fuse inside the furnace, a loose connection or a bad blower motor.

If the blower does run when yous move the fan switch to 'manual' or 'on', then the problem most likely is a faulty temperature switch.

Blower Will Not Shut Off.

If the blower does not close off, shuts off likewise soon, or not soon enough considering it blows common cold air at the cease of the heating cycle, then the problem is virtually likely a bad temperature control switch. If your furnace has a fan control, it may be adjustable. But for the most part the temperature control switches are non-adjustable and are to be replaced if plant faulty.

If your blower does not shut off and it'south non blowing cold air, then that means the burner is still lit. You do not want the blower to terminate if the burners are all the same lit.

To cease the furnace, beginning try turning down the thermostat. If that doesn't work, so turn the furnace OFF at the thermostat. First the burner will shut off followed by the blower. If your furnace shuts off when you turn the thermostat to off, a possible cause is a malfunctioning thermostat and replacing it should set up your trouble.

If turning the thermostat off doesn't shut down the furnace, then locate the breaker in the fuse box or the main on/off switch on the furnace and switch to off. Then turn the gas off. You lot should detect a gas shut-off correct in front of the furnace. The problem of not shutting off could be anything from a short in the thermostat wires to a bad gas valve so its best to let a qualified technician troubleshoot and repair.

Inspecting the Heat Exchanger for Deadly Holes.

One of the main causes of carbon monoxide in your domicile is a bad estrus exchanger in your furnace. With holes in your estrus exchanger, instead of the carbon monoxide going up the chimney, information technology's coming in your habitation. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas. If exposed to it over time, it tin can go into your trunk causing sickness and even death. Once you've been diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning, it tin literally take months to rid it from your body and you'll experience sick the whole fourth dimension. The best way to protect yourself from carbon monoxide is to install a carbon monoxide alarm.

There's two ways of inspecting your heat exchanger for holes or cracks. One way is to remove the burner and practice a visual inspection with a light and mirror. If you lot are a qualified technician, click here to view a PDF file from Coleman with details on doing a visual inspection and replacement. Remember, the pics in this PDF file are of a Coleman unit and those instructions are for THAT Coleman unit. Other Manufacturer's units tin can/will be unlike from modest to major and the steps could vary greatly. Use circumspection, a wrong step could be hazardous.

The 2nd way to check for a possible bad rut exchanger is to only watch the flame from your burner. First turn up the thermostat so the furnace engages. Looking through the glass viewing hole on your furnace, watch the burners light. Continue to scout the burners until the blower kicks on. If the flame of the burners start dancing when the blower kicks on, that's a sign that you may have a bad heat exchanger equally the blower is pushing air into information technology. Air from the blower should only flow over the heat exchanger — picking up the heat and cycling it into the domicile (hence the term oestrus exchanger).

If you believe you lot accept a problem with your estrus exchanger, your furnace should exist close down (crimson tagged) and a service technician called immediately. Replacing a heat exchanger is non a minor repair. If your furnace is quite former, replacing the furnace may exist a more viable choice. Also note that doing any of these procedures without being certified and licensed with experience "can/probably will" void your unit warranty AND your home insurance policy should a burn/explosion or similar mishap occur and be proven to be the error of said repair/procedure or be linked to furnace in whatsoever way.

Cleaning the A-whorl

To ensure your furnace runs its best, your A-roll needs to be make clean. If your abode has a carve up-unit air conditioner, you volition find an A-curlicue inside your furnace either in a higher place or below your blower. Fifty-fifty though you may not exist running your air conditioner, air from the blower still needs to laissez passer through the A-curlicue to heat your home. If your A-ringlet is muddy, your blower will take to work harder and you will be getting less air into your ductwork. For instructions on cleaning your a-coil, click here.

Replacing a Mobile Home Furnace Filter

Furnace filters should be changed every thirty days. E'er use the type of filters recommended by the manufacturer. On nearly manufactured home furnaces, the filter(s) are located in the furnace door. The doors by and large lift off and there's often a meridian and bottom door. On some furnaces both doors require a filter and others only one door gets a filter.

Foam filters take no front end or back so tin can be installed either manner. They are by and large held in place with wire clips. When dirty foam filters can be paw-done in warm soapy h2o. Be certain to rinse and permit dry before re-installing. If you have a foam filter and have trouble locating a replacement, you tin can detect ane hither.

Box-blazon filters generally have an arrow somewhere forth the edge that indicates the management of air period through the filter. Exist sure this arrow is pointing towards the furnace. When box-type filters are dingy, throw them away and install new.

past Mark Bower and Robert Hardy

Need More Help?
If you have a more specific question or demand further help, please post your question to our forum.

For Coleman parts, click here to visit our store.

Source: https://www.mobilehomerepair.com/mobile-home-furnace-maintenance-troubleshooting/

Posted by: valdezeaut1966.blogspot.com