Community Forums

RedGuy · 08-28-2008, 01:48 PM

I was wondering what general maintainece should be done to an Atwood furnace?

Mine is 20 years old and I couldn't get it to light on this last trip. Today I was looking at it and it looks like some mud dobbers made a home in there, and it just looks like 20 years of dirt has built up in there. So since I'm going to be pulling it out to clean everything, what else should I do while I'm in there?

RedGuy · 08-28-2008, 01:48 PM

I was wondering what general maintainece should be done to an Atwood furnace?

Mine is 20 years old and I couldn't get it to light on this last trip. Today I was looking at it and it looks like some mud dobbers made a home in there, and it just looks like 20 years of dirt has built up in there. So since I'm going to be pulling it out to clean everything, what else should I do while I'm in there?

RV Wizard · 08-29-2008, 12:13 AM

20 years old you say? How much has it been used? I know some heaters are rarely used and others are worn out in 20 years. If the motor does not spin up fast enough it will not set the sail switch and ignition will not happen. Carbon on the electrode will prevent good ignition and flame sensing. Rust in the burner will need to be cleaned out as well as the obvious mud dobbers restricting air flow for combustion. Be carefull not to break the fragile porcelin insulator on the ignitor/electrode. Be sure to bench test and check for LP gas leaks before starting up ignition on bench test and in the coach. The vent screens will help with the mud dobber issue in the future. Good luck and keep us posted.

RedGuy · 08-29-2008, 05:29 AM

Both fans are spinning up good, and in sequence, I can hear the ignitor going, I can hear the gas valve open, then I can smell propane if I put my nose up to the exhaust. The gas valve clicks again, the propane smell stops, the ignitor stops, but the fans continue to run til a few seconds after I turn the thermostat down. So basically I'm pretty sure I've got some sort of ignition problem.

Also I'm pretty sure my TT has always been a vaction camper. As far as I know it's always been in Michigan, which is not very conducive to full timing in the winter. So yeah everything in it has seen little use.

Gary RVRoamer · 08-29-2008, 08:10 AM

Based on your description of what ahppens, I'd say it is in good shape except for the dauber nests. Clean them out and you should be fine.

There isn't a whole lot to wear out in these furnaces unless they get run all winter, so clogged intake/exhaust is the main thing to watch for. Make sure the gasket around the intake and exhaust is in good shape - that's what keeps poisonous CO out of the interior and draws combustion air from outside rather than inside. Make sure the sail switch (right after the blower) is moving freely and lube if needed. That's about it.

RedGuy · 08-29-2008, 09:22 AM

Can I get these gaskets from most RV dealers? If I'm going to pull this thing out and go through it I'd might as well replace the gaskets while I'm at it. They're probably dried up and cracked after 20 years anyway.

Also I noticed that places like the exhaust tube have some rust in them. Can I paint the inner parts of the furnace as long as I use a high temp paint?