Problem with VC encore Cat/noncat

Hi everyone, new here so thanks for reading. I have a VC encore 2N1 cat/noncat. Since I got it, this is it's 4th season, I've had problems with the Cat, and access panels. They have been replaced every year. The dealer had convinced VC, with some difficulty, to replace the front half of the burn chamber, cat, and access panels. I removed the guts of the stove to instal the new refractory parts and noticed a crack on the back wall, upper left side. The dealer doesn't think I will have any luck getting a new stove from VC. Being that I've had problems with this stove since it was put in, I would think they would give me the benefit of the doubt.

Also, the stove has never been over 650. The draft pulls hard, the pipe is about 28 feet straight up the back of the house. I also burn between 6-8 cord a year. I haven't had any issues controlling the burn, although I think it chews through wood a little fast.

Has anyone had a similar problem? I really don't think it's user error, but maybe I'm missing something? Any suggestions for getting them to replace it? Thanks again for reading!

begreen said:

Is there a cat thermometer on this stove? If so, what temps has it been running at? With that tall a chimney this might be a draft issue. Has it been checked with a magnehelic manometer? Is there a draft damper in the flue pipe?

You are a patient person. I would have removed the stove a couple years earlier. It sounds like you may need the dealer to go to bat for you and present the case to VC. There certainly is a long history of failure that seems to indicate a defective product.

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I have two magnetic thermos on it. One between the griddle and pipe, where the cat would be, and on the pipe. Nothing internal. I have a hard time believing its over-firing. There's no chips or defects in the enamel, and it's never seen, maaaybe once, the 750 cusp. She gets shut down at 500 and generally stays between 5-600. I agree, the draft may have something to do with it, but the pipe stays nice and cool. Also, the crack is behind where the flu damper sits. There is some air space in there, meaning the space between the damper and back wall, allowing for "cooler" temps. Wouldn't that airspace dissipate the heat traveling up the damper when open?

Tilt your head left when looking at the pic. That's the top right side of the back wall as you look at it.

begreen said:

Could just be a poor design. Will the dealer go to bat for you?

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He said he's gonna try, but doesn't think it'll go anywhere considering the hard time they have him for 1/2 a refractory. Wondering if this is a common problem, I can show precedence in replacing defective equipment.

begreen said:

Sadly, I think maybe 9 out of 10 VC threads here are about repairing them.

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I'd rather get a different stove, but that means ill have to pay for it I think.

Sniper8541 said:

I'd rather get a different stove, but that means ill have to pay for it I think.

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Does anyone have any suggestions for repair? Or experience with getting VC to be more amicable?

J RD said:

VC is normally pretty generous on warranty claims in recent years. Also, all refractory parts in the 2n1 stoves have a lifetime warranty so there shouldn't have been any issue getting those parts replaced unless it was clearly due to operator error.

I've have had customers get 3 cat access panels replaced under warranty. It is definitely a common part that has been known to crack on it's own. Oddly enough, out of the 4 or 5 2n1's we have burned extensively on our showroom floor, not one has experienced a cracked access panel.

The dealer can push to have the stove at least repaired if it can clearly be shown to not be from over firing. Pressure them to push harder.

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They're claiming over-fire but there is no external evidence such as chipping, bubbling, ect. One would think if I over-fired it enough to crack it there would be some other signs of it? My guess is a flawed cast that failed leading to the failed cat and refractory. The dealer said they would only replace the front of the refractory and access panels. I had to pay a portion of the cat. The dealer didn't do the paperwork for the first two cats that failed and just gave me ones they had. Is there a viable option for repairing a cracked rear wall? Haven't heard anything yet, but I'm not very hopeful. The dealer said he's gonna call in a favor, but like I said they didn't want to do the refractory let alone the whole stove.

begreen said:

If it were me I'd fix, sell and move on to a lower maintenance stove.

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So I can fix a cracked cast? I guess I'll have to do some research.

Charles1981 said:

I'd be concerned about how much your dealer is actually standing behind you.

My dealer called VC right when i got there with my catalyst and VC said they would have a new one out immediately. Didn't even ask to have the cracked on sent back in or anything.

There was a recent post here about a user with a cracked casting with a 3-4 years old 2n1 stove and the store contacted VC and VC was replacing the stove with what seemed like not a lot of questions asked.

The fact that they just replaced the catalysts without contacting VC sounds like not the best plan on their part.

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Do you know how long ago that was? My stove is the 2011 model. From what I've been told they JUST changed hands ....again. I'm headed out to the dealer in a minute to plead my case. It sure is getting cold in here!

J RD said:

I truly believe the new VC product is sound. There are always going to be isolated issues with any product. They may not be the most forgiving design but if used properly they will stand up to any other cast iron stove IMO.

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You've been the only one I've seen so far to have any good words for them. Maybe only those of us who have had a negative experience with them have voiced our opinions. It is too bad. I read an article written in 1987 about them and their beginnings are rather inspiring.

So I just got back from the dealer. We have a workable solution. He's gonna get me a Jotul. Either the F55 Carrabassett or F500 CF Oslo. The F55 is for 2500 sq ft and 10+ hr burn time and the Oslo is for 2000 with 9 hr. My house is just under 2000 sq ft, but I don't turn on my heat. So they'll have it by Thursday, thank god. He's working on VC still and if they replace my stove he'll keep it. I'll have to purchase the Jotul, at cost, then when they replace my stove I'll be reimbursed. If they don't replace it, I'm buying the Jotul for cost. That's not the best solution, but what else can be done. Anyone wanna buy a cracked VC 2040!

Charles1981 said:

This was 6 months ago for my catalyst exchange.

I will have to search for the thread later where the poster stated VC was replacing the stove. But this was just within the past 4-6 weeks. Not everything on the internet is true but everything seemed kosher that the owner was describing.

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No worries man, I appreciate the info!