Fire Place removal - Montana Owners Club

jrjones · 02-16-2014, 04:42 PM

I need to clean my fire place and would like to know how to remove it. I don't want to just go at it with a screw driver, so if you have done it I would appreciate a little direction.

**DQDick** · 02-16-2014, 05:06 PM

Just remove the four screws on the front and it pulls right out. Two are in the upper corners where the hot air comes out and two are in the lower corners visible when you drop the lower door.

rohrmann · 02-16-2014, 05:12 PM

If it's the Dimplex unit, ours is held in by four screws, one on each corner on top into the horizontal rail, and the other two are in the lower corners into the vertical stiles. It doesn't weigh much, so is fairly easy to remove. I would suggest that you look over the manual carefully before taking any panels off. We just did ours, and surprise, it was very clean, but had a couple of bulbs burnt out, and we replaced all of them.

jrjones · 02-16-2014, 05:39 PM

That sounds easy. Thank You! I just didn't want to do what didn't need done.
My fire place runs for awhile then shuts the heat and fan off so I am assuming it needs cleaned. Just started acting up so I will give it a try.

MDL · 02-16-2014, 07:21 PM

I'm not positive, but that may be an over temp sensor or some other sensor acting up. I bet if you scan the electrical diagram you'll find some point that could be a failed safety sensor.

rohrmann · 02-16-2014, 08:06 PM

Also when you get your manual out, make sure you know which knob does what at the controls at the bottom of the heater. One of them is the thermostat control, which on yours may be turned way down. Just a guess that this may be causing your problem. Ours wasn't putting out much heat, and the controls weren't adjusted correctly. The actual heater is a small unit at the top of the fireplace where you can feel the warm air coming from, and all it is, is a heating element with a squirrel cage fan to blow the air. The rest of the unit is just lights, mirror, and decorative elements to make it look like a fireplace. There is also a small motor that turns a shaft that has a tinsel material attached that causes light movement to make the flames look like they are actually burning. Be sure to unplug the cord from the outlet before taking any of it apart.

NCFischers · 02-16-2014, 11:52 PM

When you pull it out, look at the bottom. It should have several rows of louvers. If it has only one row, the manufacturer will send you a replacement at no charge and it's easy to change.

WaltBennett · 02-17-2014, 01:08 AM

One more thing to note - on ours, Keystone used two Phillips screws and two square drive ones, so you'll need at least a square drive bit the right size. They're available at any big or small box hardware place today. Were a major pain several years back.

bigskyjimmy · 02-17-2014, 10:03 AM

yep no big deal to take out I've done it 3 times because it shuts down because we have 2 cats and dust and fir gets in the little louvers on the right when you flip down the panel so I pull it out turn the fireplace upside down take off the panel and vacuum the dust out around that sensor ,fixes it every time for me

jrjones · 02-23-2014, 03:03 AM

Thank you all. I pulled it and cleaned it. Works great now. One thing I did find was that my Sub Woofer was just sliding around under there. Sounds a lot better when the speaker is not against the cabinet. I used a 2' x 4" piece of velcro to hold it in place.I was surprised it was not attached to anything.

**DQDick** · 02-23-2014, 03:24 AM

It is interesting what you can find back there. All my wires were tied together back there with the wire from a bread bag.

Art-n-Marge · 02-23-2014, 04:41 AM

It's almost amazing the variety of manufacturing procedures for the same thing in these Montanas over the year. The subwoofer in my unit is velcro strapped securely and came from the factory this way. While I like to believe I'll never drive so fast, brake so hard or have an accident, it's nice to know there's some assurance this subwoofer does not become a flying boulder and that someone at Keystone eliminated this strap in favor of cost over safety.

Other than that, nice job on the fireplace. It will be soon, we'll stop complaining about them and start converting to posts about A/C. It's not that I look forward to that, but it seems inevitable.

rohrmann · 02-23-2014, 02:39 PM

Also found our subwoofer loose behind the fireplace. Maybe the guy that straps them down didn't show up for work that day. Can't imagine what they are thinking just letting them float around like that.

MDL · 02-23-2014, 03:00 PM

Added the subwoofer to my growing PDI checklist! Thanks!

CORattler · 02-23-2014, 04:00 PM

Which way should the subwoofer port & speaker be facing? Up, toward the back of the fireplace, how?
I've never had my fireplace pulled out. Pics?

jrjones · 02-24-2014, 01:46 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by CORattler

Which way should the subwoofer port & speaker be facing? Up, toward the back of the fireplace, how?
I've never had my fireplace pulled out. Pics?

The Sub should not have the speaker against the wall as mine did. It should face out and the port should not be blocked. It allows air to move in and out as the speaker functions. It is a passive non directional speaker. Mine sounds a whole lot better now that it is not against the wall.

RRman · 03-03-2014, 10:33 AM

Any idea where to get woodgrain round stickers? My screws are behind these and I messed up one sticker already.

scott-pati · 03-03-2014, 12:02 PM

Wow, I guess I need to remove the fireplace too. Curious to see the sub (which I had a feeling it was there) and if it's attached or sliding around. Maybe there's a winning lottery ticket back there, one can only hope....

scott-pati · 03-04-2014, 09:56 AM

Just removed my fireplace. My sub was not attached, just sitting there sliding around. Didn't find that lottery ticket. LOL

paulinbaja · 03-05-2014, 05:19 AM

I had a similar problem. Mine would come on and then the heat would shut off as expected--but would not come back on. I removed the unit, wrongly determined the High Limit was failing. I then bought a new heating unit (very expensive) just to learn the thermostat was in fail! All this said, be certain to evaluate and trouble shoot the issue carefully before buying parts. Returning the heating unit would incur a 35% re-stock charge plus shipping! I now have a spare heating element.
Several others mentioned cleaning the unit. Ours was very clean when I took it apart but pet hair and dust could be a very serious fire hazard. Even if the units are working well, it would be worth the effort, following the owners manual, to open the units and vacuum them out! Be certain to UN-PLUG and follow safety precautions when you open the cases.

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