Heat Exchanger Question??? HELP

[Rohdegirl]

My furnace is a Comfortmaker "High Efficiency" Furnace and was Mfg in 12/98, installed in 10/90 in my new home. Since then, I have had a new heat exchanger put in (1/99) and now have another cracked heat exchanger. I also have a leak (water) coming out of my vent pipe which must be very acidic because it's eating away the metal cover. If the vent it leaking water, then I'm assuming it's possible that it is also leaking Carbon Monoxide as well. I'm upset because you can tell that when the furnace was installed they had a problem with the PVC pipes leaking because there is an enormous amount of silicone added to the pipe where the water is coming out. Isn't this a major safety concern? I have turned off my furnace until I can find out if there is a warranty on it.

I was told by the furnace company that most people just buy a new furnace instead of wait the 2 weeks to have a new heat exchanger made for the furnace. I was also told there would be no warranty!! I look on the internet and COmformaker says they have a 25 year warranty on their heaters. Why would I be on 3 heat exchangers without any kind of warranty.

HELP - Does anyone recommend I just replace the furnace? Also, does anyone know if there is a warranty or not. Do I have a right to fight for this. I know I'm a single working Mom and I don't want to get taken advantage of!!

Thanks for anyone's input!!

[Dean]

You must mean it was manufactured in 1988 not 1998.

On the surface it sounds to me like, #1 - the furnace wasn't installed properly and #2 - Someone is indeed trying to take advantage of you if in fact it does have a 25 year warranty.

I would call the manufacturer and raise heck if I were you.

You may have misunderstood but Heat Exchangers aren't made when needed, the spares are made at the time the furnaces are made and manufactures are required to keep spare parts in stock for 10 years.
It really shouldn't take more than a few days to ship one to your dealer's supplier.

[Rohdegirl]

Now they tell me there is a warranty on the heat exchange however it will cost me $800 to have them install it. Does it really cost that much? Can I get the heat exchanger picked up by someone else and installed?

[LazyPup]

Whether or not you could have the heat exchanger installed by another service company would depend upon the terms and conditions of your original contract. In most cases the manufacturer will supply warranty replacement parts to any service company that is authorized to perform warranty service for that respective manufacturer, however there may be wording in your original contract that obligates you to use the original installer for the term of the warranty.

I would definitely contact the manufacturer directly to find out why two 25 year heat exchangers have failed in this short period of time. As was previously mentioned, it most likely is a result of the installation, and if that were to prove to be the case, the original installer should be liable for the labor as well.

Most manufacturers are very concerned about the manner in which their equipment is installed and maintained, and without a doubt they would be very willing to work with you to resolve this matter.

Manufacturing in general is an extremely competive business, and in this age of instant world wide communications manufacturers are very sensitive to customer complaints because they know that even a simple forum such as we have here can have a major impact on their overall business plan, when one considers how many potential customers can follow up on how they handled your individual problem.