Heat exchanger tubes keep falling down.

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OK, see the picture of the tube(s) --- Hmmm ! That's not good !

I could not see anything in the manual about these tubes being removable.

I'd like to see what other users of this stove model have to say.
 
Looks like you're way behind the curve, CladMaster. :)

Holy Crap, that is NOT GOOD. Like Smokey said, DON'T EVER RUN THAT THING AGAIN. Try to get in touch with Quadrafire/Hearth and Home and let them know what's happened. I don't know if it can be fixed or not. Those tubes are probably swaged in there. I don't see weld and doubt it would be there since the tubes, I believe, are aluminum and the plate is probably steel.

I suspect you're going to be in the market for a new stove. I hope not, but ...... You're in Berlin, Pa.
 
Do not run this stove until this issue has been fixed / looked into in depth.

A call to the Manufacture today would be on my to do list to ask questions and show them these picture via email to see what they say etc.
 
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Smokey is right ... get a qualified tech in there and don't use the stove! Make sure they look over the second one while he's there.

In the mean time, I hope you have smoke and CO detectors liberally positioned around the house. CO is not detectable otherwise and it is a killer... keep those boys and yourselves safe!
 
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78f0b4efb7ee123c362a5ca99c70e3f8.jpg


The inside.
 
OMG! I've never heard of anything like that happening! Yes, call Quadrafire NOW!!!

If you pull those cleaning rods when the stove is running, things can be very tight. If you pull hard enough often enough, I imagine you could loosen the tubes. The manual warns you NOT to do that. The manufacturer may ask you if you ever do that.

If you can't get the stove repaired (my guess), PLEASE since you're in PA, look into a coal stoker! I know I'll get blasted as usual, but you'll get twice the heat for the same amount of money as pellets.

www.leisurelinestoves.com
www.keystoker.com
http://www.readingstove.com/
 
That stove needs major work and not by any run of the mill off the street person.

The heat exchanger has fallen apart.

I'm sure that some folks one here could actually fix it but there is nothing we can do except tell you do not run it and to talk to a qualified Quad tech about possible options.
 
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Do not use that stove until it's been fixed / welded up tighter than my wallet.
 
I couldn't find anything about it online either...usually when I search for problems, there is at least one forum about it, but not this....until now...
 
New over sized aluminum tubes could be put in it, but to do it you would need to get the stove to a competent / trust worthy metal workshop / blacksmith for them to do the work and go over it to check for leaks and seal those screw holes with weld.

There has to be some place that can fix it at a price.
 
CladMaster said:
New over sized aluminum tubes could be put in it, but to do it you would need to get the stove to a competent / trust worthy metal workshop / blacksmith for them to do the work and go over it to check for leaks and seal those screw holes with weld.

There has to be some place that can fix it at a price.
Click to expand...
Don't forget that the 'fixer' will also be assuming the liability. I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole.
 
That leaves the OP with two options then....

1/ Replacement stove from manufacture if possible.

2/ A new or used stove that is in good working order and this one sent to the scrap yard for spare parts.
 
Maybe the manufacturer has a tool similar to an exhaust pipe expander that slips inside the tube and expands it outward to make a tight fit. It doesn't address the bottom holes that the pipe goes through though.
 
I'm pretty sure those are common seamed steel tubes interference swaged into the front bulkhead (I have no idea how they secure at the rear. My opinion is quit using it and replace it. It's junk and really not fixable. Being in the metal fabrication business, I'm not at all impressed with the design. Poor execution.

Being in Pennsyltucky, I'd be looking at a coal stoker too. Lots better heat output on anthricite coal. anyday.
 
SidecarFlip said:
I'm pretty sure those are common seamed steel tubes interference swaged into the front bulkhead (I have no idea how they secure at the rear. My opinion is quit using it and replace it. It's junk and really not fixable. Being in the metal fabrication business, I'm not at all impressed with the design. Poor execution.

Being in Pennsyltucky, I'd be looking at a coal stoker too. Lots better heat output on anthricite coal. anyday.
Click to expand...
I was waiting for your much more expert opinion on this one, ScF. From looking at my stoves, it looked like they were swaged in place. Someone a while back posted that the tubes were aluminum and a magnet doesn't stick to them. Could be stainless but they are soft enough to scratch with an awl.
I agree the design is caveman-style at best. I had a similar design of round tubes in my wood fireplace 50 years ago. With all of the extruded aluminum tubing shapes available today, there's no excuse for not using something with more surface area IMHO. Scraping them can be accomplished with similarly shaped scrapers laser cut.

Thanks for the backup on the stoker, by the way. It means a lot to have someone with actual knowledge alongside me. :)
 
mommyelizabeth4 has no history on the stove as it came with the house ... But she does state they have two (one insert, one freestanding). I would get a tech in there to check over the second stove, find a replacement for the insert with the exchange tube issues but keep the consumables (blowers, board, ignitor, etc) for the second stove.

Haul that insert carcass out of there... it's not safe and not worth jeopardizing your family.

tj, you're talking all the fun out of the ribbin':p
 
Lake Girl said:
mommyelizabeth4 has no history on the stove as it came with the house ... But she does state they have two (one insert, one freestanding). I would get a tech in there to check over the second stove, find a replacement for the insert with the exchange tube issues but keep the consumables (blowers, board, ignitor, etc) for the second stove.

Haul that insert carcass out of there... it's not safe and not worth jeopardizing your family.

tj, you're talking all the fun out of the ribbin':p
Click to expand...

You can rib me all you want, Lake Girl. Lovin' it!

I agree 100% with what you said about stripping that insert for spares and selling it to the scrap yard.
 
tjnamtiw said:
You can rib me all you want, Lake Girl. Lovin' it!

I agree 100% with what you said about stripping that insert for spares and selling it to the scrap yard.
Click to expand...


I think Quad sells heat exchangers for that unit, don't write the OPs options off so fast.
 
It is time for a professional Quad service tech to take care of this. It takes a special tool to press those back into place. If, that is all that is wrong. kap
 
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