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greggoldman · 02-08-2023, 07:35 AM

Hello all, I recently purchased a 2017 Thor Windsport and have been experiencing furnace issues. The furnace was rarely used by the previous owner. The furnace seems to start up properly at first but smells like it is running rich, like it is not getting enough oxygen. There is not an air filter. The air coming out of the vents is cool, not even warm. I pulled the gas valve out and checked the solenoid with 12 volts and it opens, I blew through it and it doesn't seem to have any restrictions, the orfice is clear. I checked the diaphram and it had no resistance turning the screw. I kept tightening it up and reinstalling and the heat got better but by the time I got decent heat the diaphram was all the way in but the exhaust still smelled outside. I left it going through the night and seemed great but I woke up to the furnace running and blowing out cold air. I just turned it off. I didn't check to see if burner was running, but due to the cold air coming out, I assumed it was out. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
Greg

MrMark52 · 02-08-2023, 07:45 AM

Firstly, locate the service manual - you can look in the Files section of this site, or bryantsrv.com, and there are others.

2nd - if the screw you were turning was a screw for an adjustable regulator, then you just opened a big can of worms. Hopefully the manual will tell you how to adjust to the proper pressure, or it may be easier to just get a new valve/regulator.

You say it smelled like it was top running rich - but then you didn’t have any heat - not sure what that means.

Double check that the burner tube is free and clear of spider webs/dirt dauber buildup. The flow of gas through that tube is very sensitive.

If you need more help - confirm the model number of furnace to us.

greggoldman · 02-08-2023, 03:54 PM

the model is 32836. There is not a service manual that came with it. The burner tube is clean... now. It had a small circle of black soot but was not plugged, I cleaned that. The screw I turned was in the gas valve. I counted the number of turns so I can return it to the origional position. I have the coach hooked up to a 500 gallon propane tank that has a low pressure regulator and it is hooked directly into the coaches system. The burners on the stove and oven are solid blue and appears they are ok. The furnace was blowing out black soot and when I adjusted the gas valve, it wasn't blowing the soot out but just smelled of aldehydes.

MrMark52 · 02-08-2023, 11:58 PM

Having trouble identifying your furnace but - sooting and flame issues is generally always caused by low LP pressure.

Confirm you are getting 11” w.g. LP pressure to the furnace.

No argument with your setup from a fixed tank - but you just need to make sure the furnace is seeing the needed pressure. Furnaces burn LP differently than cooktop burners and are more sensitive to proper pressures.

chboone · 02-09-2023, 12:45 AM

Try cleaning the heat exchanger by blowing it out with air. Wasps/mud daubers like to build nests in it.

greggoldman · 02-09-2023, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMark52

Having trouble identifying your furnace but - sooting and flame issues is generally always caused by low LP pressure.

Confirm you are getting 11” w.g. LP pressure to the furnace.

No argument with your setup from a fixed tank - but you just need to make sure the furnace is seeing the needed pressure. Furnaces burn LP differently than cooktop burners and are more sensitive to proper pressures.

Thanks for the help Mark. I ordered a wc pressure gauge and will check pressure.