25-PDVC Heat issue

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tommy24a

New Member
Dec 12, 2010
28
PA
I have a 2003 Englander model 25-PDVC. I have had it around 5 years (bought it used at one year old) . The past cpl of years it worked fine. It now seems that it is not heating like it used to. As an example we have a thermostat (for our gas hot water heat) that is on the wall next to the stove. Past years the temps on the thermostat would read in the mid 80's. This year I am lucky to see 65 degrees on the thermostat. I did clean the stove last weekend. I have not replaced any gaskets on this unit. I also do not have an OAK but the past years that was never an issue. I get great flame but the heat does not seem to be there. Any ideas and or suggestions would be very much welcome. Thanks!
 
I was having the issue last year also with different pellets. My baffle plate is on like it should be. Almost flush against back.
 
I don't know your cleaning regimen but.... you need to get in ALL the passages and spaces that the combustion air travels behind the baffle. I use a 12" long flexible brush to get into the passages behind, beside, above etc...
 
Forgive me I am sort of a newbie when it comes to diag on stove issues. I did take off the baffle plate which exposes the square opening. I tool a shopvac and attached a smaler hose (car heater hose) and vacuumed anywhere I could get. I also shoved the hose to the left and as far down the square hole I could get. Anything else I should be cleaning I am all ears. How do you clean the combustion blower?
 
"Forgive me I am sort of a newbie when it comes to diag on stove issues. I did take off the baffle plate which exposes the square opening. I tool a shopvac and attached a smaler hose (car heater hose) and vacuumed anywhere I could get. I also shoved the hose to the left and as far down the square hole I could get. Anything else I should be cleaning I am all ears. How do you clean the combustion blower?"


Go here. http://englanderstoves.com/25-pdvc.html
The manual and parts list are both on the site. Make sure you have the correct year when ordering. Or you can call them and order through the phone.
You might also be able to order a copy of the DVD that shows the cleaning procedure. I think it's on the parts page also.

At the very least you should probably think about a combustion blower gasket, the high temp silicone, and a burn pot gasket.
 
tommy24a said:
Forgive me I am sort of a newbie when it comes to diag on stove issues.......Anything else I should be cleaning I am all ears. How do you clean the combustion blower?

Yes, the convection (room air blower) should be removed and cleaned also....many times dust bunnies, pet hair, etc, build-up on squirrel cage blower fins & result in decreased airflow into the room.

http://www.englanderstoves.com/manuals/ReplacingYourRoomAirBlower.pdf

As for removing the combustion blower, if that hasn't been done in 4+, that may be you main problem. They should be removed AT LEAST after every burning season, if not after each ton of pellets burned.

Anyway, here is a "how to" from Englander that shows & explains how ro remove the comb. blower.

http://www.englanderstoves.com/manuals/ReplacingYourExhaustBlower.pdf

Just skip step 1, unless you want to clean the exhaust pipe....might not be a bad idea anyway. Otherwise, remove the side access panel, as in step 2, and then follow their instructions. Since you're only cleaning it and not replacing, after the blower/motor unit is out of the stove, the vanes should be carefully wirebrushed and the motor body underneath them should be scraped.

BTW, be warned that when you remove the motor assembly, the gasket underneath will probably rip, so you probably need to order one before doing this.

http://www.englanderstoves.com/store/25-PDVC_Parts.html

If the exhaust pipe has never been cleaned, that more than likely will need cleaning too.
 
Thanks for the instruction and links! I will order the gaskets. How many and what gaskets will I need? Thanks again.
 
tommy24a said:
Thanks for the instruction and links! I will order the gaskets. How many and what gaskets will I need? Thanks again.

Probably not a bad idea to order one of each to have on hand. The round one is the one you'll be replacing the most often.

PU-CMG - Combustion Motor Gasket - the one needed most of the time (order 2 of these)

PU-CBG - Combustion Blower Gasket - this one goes behind the comb. blower plenum box....not removed for normal motor cleanings. (order 1 of these)
 
THank you so much for the help. I will order the gaskets and then do some cleaning! Thanks again!!!!
 
Good luck....and keep us up-to-date on how things go. Get the stove really clean, and see how it goes then.

BTW, what are your lower 3 buttons set at? I think factory default for the 25PDVC is 6-4-1, but a lot of people are having good results at 4-4-1, or 3-4-1.
 
I will post back when I have cleaned it, I do believe the kower numbers are 6-4-1.
 
6-4-1 is the factory setting for a post '04 25 PDVC, Englander will inform you of setting features according to your stove manufactur date
 
tommy24a said:
My stove was mfg. in 2003.

You can't go wrong by calling Englander cust serv. They have absolutely been the best team I have ever dealt with.
 
tommy24a said:
I have a 2003 Englander model 25-PDVC. I have had it around 5 years (bought it used at one year old) . The past cpl of years it worked fine. It now seems that it is not heating like it used to. As an example we have a thermostat (for our gas hot water heat) that is on the wall next to the stove. Past years the temps on the thermostat would read in the mid 80's. This year I am lucky to see 65 degrees on the thermostat. I did clean the stove last weekend. I have not replaced any gaskets on this unit. I also do not have an OAK but the past years that was never an issue. I get great flame but the heat does not seem to be there. Any ideas and or suggestions would be very much welcome. Thanks!

good gasket maintenance is important as mentioned above by my "unofficial tech staff" thanks guys ;-)

check your door and window and hopper lid gaskets as well, 5 years is about the very max we expect for servicablity of those gaskets and they are important for function. a tip if you want to go a bit afrther than a normal cleaning but can turn the old girl into literally a new stove , involves some work though. remove the stove from the house , roll it out on the deck as i do or somthing , remove the baffle plate ,(drag out a dropcord) plug her in and turn on (empty) take high pressure air (compressor is what i use, and just unload on it through the heat exchangers (behind the baffle plate , blow all the ash you cannot vacuum out through the running exhaust blower. ash insulates the steel from heat resulting in lowered transfer efficiency.
 
Yes these guys have been great. I have learned many tips. The stove is a 2003 and never had any of the gaskets changed. I will order them tomm. I just may drag this sucker out on the deck and fire up my air compressor and unload on it. Thanks for the help!
 
let me know how it turns out and make sure if you blow her out that the exhaust is aimed AWAY from the house, its gonna belch out quite a cloud.


the gang in here have been super , i get so tickled when i see the input from them because they usually are spot on with the advice
 
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