Rv tech says new furnace needed. HELP

[Cara & Kevin]

Recently bought a used 2018 montana. When we tried the furnace, the blower comes on but no heat. Also, my husband was outside smoking and smelled propane from the exhaust of the furnace. Repair guy says it it clogged up by dirt dauber and we need a new furnace. Anyone have experience with this and what kind of furnace and estimated cost

[jsb5717]

Welcome aboard! Congrats on your purchase. Sounds like you need a new tech. Seems like quite a leap to a new furnace. If it does, in fact, have a dauber nest then clean it out. It's possible with the "tech's" recommendation that he doesn't have a clue what he's doing and replacing the furnace with a new one is the easiest way to make some money off of you. I'm suspicious if there really is a dauber nest. Sure, it's possible, but a pro...or even a semi-competent handy man, would clear it and diagnose from there.

When you set your thermostat for heat from the furnace, what happens...exactly. The blower kicks on, as you said. Is that it? Does it attempt to ignite? If it does you will be able to hear the clicking. Make sure that your fan is set to "Auto" to make sure you're listening to the furnace and not the AC fan.

There's plenty of experienced help here so if you can hang with us, answer questions as we go, and try some recommended approaches then we can likely get that furnace to run as it should.

[mlh]

A dirt dauber and you need a new furnace? That sounds a little (lot) suspicious. I would get a second opinion.
Lynwood

[Pa_5er]

Definitely get a second opinion.

[Carl n Susan]

Here is a link to a diagnostic manual that may help you figure out what is wrong.
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...?do=file&id=11

[Daryles]

Here's a quick visual reference.

[Gonefishing]

I just went through heating problems on my unit. Provide a little more info. Does the furnace come on and light. If so how long does it run. Furnace cutting off can be a number of issues. 1. Sail switch, fan motor, igniter, thermostat, n yes dirt dobbers. You can clean them put yourself. Remove the outside cover look in the exhaust pipe with a flashlight. Use something to stick into the pipe and move it around then use a shop vac and see if you can suck anything out. If the furnace does cut on and runs check that heat is coming out of the exhaust pipe if I don’t think it’s clogged.

I did end up replacing my furnace after they had replaced everything they could n it still didn’t work. Turned out the baffles inside the furnace were the problem. Mine was replaced under my extended warranty. But I had done some price checking and a new furnace runs between 1,200.00-2,000.00. Depending where you buy from and the btu size.

[Ram Montana High Country]

I had a TT with same issue. RV Tech did have to remove and take back to his shop to clear obstructions in exhaust side - work fine after that. Need a different tech.

[dhuhn]

I agree get a new tech.

[Cara & Kevin]

It does try to ignite. He said so and didn't check the inside for heat coming out the vent. I didn't pay him until we went to check his work. But when my husband smelled the gas coming out the exhaust, he lstruck his lighter and it ignited out the exhaust. He put it right out but the tech said it melted things. I have no idea and it could be true. We have our 5th wheel parked on a lot we bought and are headed up on Friday. We will open the furnace door and see what we can see but have no idea how to clean it or what it should even look like.

[Daryles]

YouTube is an excellent source for learning new things and troubleshooting.
This guy is pretty good.

https://m.youtube.com/results?sp=mAE...+works+furnace

Here's a video of your problem. Smell gas from furnace exhaust but it won't lite.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HCoNtm...VybmFjZQ%3D%3D

Be aware, if you make a mistake working on a propane device it can be deadly.

[Kyle and Lisa]

Originally Posted by Cara & Kevin

Recently bought a used 2018 montana. When we tried the furnace, the blower comes on but no heat. Also, my husband was outside smoking and smelled propane from the exhaust of the furnace. Repair guy says it it clogged up by dirt dauber and we need a new furnace. Anyone have experience with this and what kind of furnace and estimated cost

You can inspect the exhaust assembly yourself with a flashlight you will have to remove the outside cover to inspect the internal part of the exhaust,Ive done it more than once and found dirt dobber nest, easy peasy.

[Pa_5er]

There are screens available to put over the exhaust in the hope that pests don't move in to it.

[pyoung47]

Unfortunately, the furnace is a poor thing for the diy person to work on, with death involved. Hope you can find a tech you can trust, since it is rare to need a complete replacement unless the heat exchanger is perforated.

[VagabondLove]

Originally Posted by Cara & Kevin

when my husband smelled the gas coming out the exhaust, he lstruck his lighter and it ignited out the exhaust. He put it right out but the tech said it melted things.

The exhaust is designed to handle very hot things like a small propane explosion. There are no wires or anything to melt inside that chamber, for a reason…it gets very hot during normal usage! If something did burn, you would smell it strongly. Find a new tech.