14
TROUBLE SHOOTING AND PROBLEM SOLVING
1. Problem:
Smoke puffs from furnace
Solution:
A. Check chimney draft. Check for blocked chimney or
fl
ue
pipe. Use mirror to check chimney clearance.
B. Check ash pan — if it is too full, empty.
C. Make sure furnace room is not too airtight.
D. Make sure all of chimney mortar connections are airtight.
E. Check ash door. Make sure it’s airtight.
F. Check chimney for possible down-draft caused by taller
surrounding trees or objects. Correct with proper chimney
vent cap.
G. Check the possibility of a cold chimney forcing cool gases
backward. Remedied by properly insulating chimney with
non-combustible liner — non-combustible insulation.
H. Fuel may be too green.
I. Make sure no other fuel burning devices are connected to
the chimney impairing the draft.
J. Check chimney draft, it should be .06 inches of water
column. This service is provided by a certi
fi
ed chimney
sweep.
2. Problem:
Inadequate heat being delivered to your home
Solution:
A. Check home insulation — is it adequate?
B. Check hook-up to furnace — is it installed correctly?
C. Cool air inlet may be inadequate or furnace room too
airtight.
D. Your wood fuel may be too low grade. Hardwoods are
recommended.
E. Make sure your hot air duct (and other duct work) is airtight.
F. If furnace room is warm but your home isn’t, check back
draft dampers.
G. Is air to the blower available?
3. Problem:
Excess smoke or
fl
ames coming out door when refueling
Solution:
A. Wait 15 seconds and open door SLOWLY — then refuel.
B. Check length of
fl
ue pipe to chimney. Your unit should be
within six (6) feet of your chimney.
C. Make sure chimney cap is not too close to the top of the
chimney.
D. Check chimney draft — make sure chimney
fl
ue pipe is
clean and chimney is of adequate height.
E. Make sure you’re not suffocating the
fi
re with excessive
amounts of unburned wood.
F. Slide baf
fl
e should be pulled out prior to load door opening.
4. Problem:
Distribution blower vibrating
Solution:
A. Tighten blower wheel to motor shaft.
B. Check for bad fan bearings.
5. Problem:
Distribution blower continues to run or will not run
Solution:
A. Check fan limit or heat sensor and cable.
B. Check to see that blower is properly wired.
(See Wiring and Assembly Instructions).
C. Check fuse box or power source.
D. Check power supply.
6. Problem:
Draft blower continues to run or will not run
Solution:
A. Check wiring.
B. Check thermostat or thermostat wire for short.
C. Make sure temperature is calling for heat.
7. Problem:
Odor
from
fi
rst
fi
re
Solution:
A. The odor from new steel should disappear in a few hours.
B. If the odor remains, call you dealer immediately. A bad
weld can cause a fume leak.
8. Problem:
Excessive
Creosote
Solution:
A. Check the grade of wood you are burning.
B. Make sure your unit is serviced by its own proper chimney.
C. Check length of
fl
ue pipe and its connections.
D. Make sure you are burning the smallest, hottest
fi
re to
adequately heat your home.
E. Also see Solutions to Problem one.
9. Problem:
If
the
fi
re goes out or does not hold over night
Solution:
A. Poor Draft.
B. Incorrect damper settings.
C. Improper
fi
ring methods if burning coal.
D. More combustion air needed.
E. Coal not sized to the furnace. We recommend 1” to 3”
diameter pieces of coal.
F. Ashes, if allowed to accumulate in the ash pan, will not
allow passage of the required air for combustion. Keep
ash pan clean.
G. This furnace is not to be used with an automatic stoker
unless so certi
fi
ed.
