Cracks in 4yr old PE Summit - big deal??

[mr2autoxr]

My Summit is about 4.5yrs old and I just reloaded it and noticed these cracks at both top corners. They are kind of hidden behind the door when it's closed but I'm wondering if these cracks are serious.

I just had to contact my dealer because the blower motor died and it took 1.5 months to get that replaced under warranty. Are these cracks enough that I should stop burning for the year?

I'm assuming this is going to be a nightmare to get fixed under warranty!

Mike

 

[bholler]

they might now be that big of a deal now but id start the warrantee process now they will only get worse. As long as you can still control the stove I think you could keep burning you could always seal them with furnace cement to get through. But you definatly need to get them fixed and I think the fix is to replace the stove. I would bet they will blame it on over firing unless it is a common problem so you might have a fight on your hands

 

[begreen]

Definitely start a claim. There was an issue with a run of inserts. Be patient, polite, but very persistent.

 

[mr2autoxr]

I will do that then. My 5yrs is up in July (date of purchase) and it was installed in late August of 2009.

Hopefully this isn't too painful as the burning season is almost over. I was able to get the replacement blower but with that it took quite a few call s to my dealer.

 

[begreen]

Member Hogwildz went through this process. He got a replacement next gen Summit insert.

 

[fire_man]

Seems you have had some company with this problem:

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/another-cracked-pe-insert-replaced.72332/

 

[Hogwildz]

That does not look like the A model as my first one was.
Yes, you can burn, as that is exterior of the firebox.
The firebox & baffle are lifetime warranted, the blower is 5 years.
I had the first one repaired, but he cracks came back. Same area as yours on the face. I had also some cracking in the upper knife edge corners and they held fine after repairs. Does not look like yours is cracked at the corners of the knife edge.

 

[mr2autoxr]

Here are a couple from the inside top front.

 

[bholler]

Yeah I don't think you have to shut it down this season but id get it fixed for sure it will only get worse.

 

[Lumberjack]

OP....I went through this with a PE Pacific insert 2 yrs ago. If I remember they have a 5 year warranty that I was able to use. I got a new PE Super as a replacement as the Pacific is out of production. It wouldn't have happened for me without GREAT support from my dealer. Can't sing their praises enough. I had to uninstall / install the replacement but that wasn't a big deal for me.

I agree with bholler, it's probably OK for the rest of the season but I would get the ball rolling NOW. It took 2 months for me to get resolution on mine. Very happy with the new one.

 

[Lumberjack]

btw, don't bother "fixing" it.....it won't last

 

[Dave A.]

I had the first one repaired, but he cracks came back. Same area as yours on the face. I had also some cracking in the upper knife edge corners and they held fine after repairs. Does not look like yours is cracked at the corners of the knife edge.

Don't recall reading anything before this about the cracks coming back after they were repaired.

Also don't recall anything definitive that there has been some modification in design or other change since then so this problem is any less likely to recur. The only thing I recall, is an indication that there might have been inferior material used for ones made 7 or more years ago. But now seeing the problem with one only 4 or so years old and that cracks always seem to occur in a particular location does suggest the possibility of an ongoing problem in the design (without some info to the contrary).

What I'm really hoping for here (and suspect it's not coming) is some explanation/guidance from PE about this problem.

 

[begreen]

Go back over Hogwildz posts both about the original issue and his replacement stove differences.

 

[Hogwildz]

Don't recall reading anything before this about the cracks coming back after they were repaired.

Also don't recall anything definitive that there has been some modification in design or other change since then so this problem is any less likely to recur. The only thing I recall, is an indication that there might have been inferior material used for ones made 7 or more years ago. But now seeing the problem with one only 4 or so years old and that cracks always seem to occur in a particular location does suggest the possibility of an ongoing problem in the design (without some info to the contrary).

What I'm really hoping for here (and suspect it's not coming) is some explanation/guidance from PE about this problem.

Keep searching & reading all the posts. This has been covered in enough threads. There have been modifications in each model change. Some in the firebox, others in the exterior.

 

[Sisu]

As others have suggested, I would pursue replacement of the firebox vs repair. The firebox cracks cannot be adequately welded and will crack again. It happened with my PE Pacific insert.

 

[avsmusic1]

OP....I went through this with a PE Pacific insert 2 yrs ago. If I remember they have a 5 year warranty that I was able to use. I got a new PE Super as a replacement as the Pacific is out of production. It wouldn't have happened for me without GREAT support from my dealer. Can't sing their praises enough. I had to uninstall / install the replacement but that wasn't a big deal for me.

I agree with bholler, it's probably OK for the rest of the season but I would get the ball rolling NOW. It took 2 months for me to get resolution on mine. Very happy with the new one.

Lumberjack - what dealer did you use? I'm in CT and looking at the summit insert. It's important for me to do business with someone local and it sounds like your dealer was exceptional.

Thanks

 

[bholler]

btw, don't bother "fixing" it.....it won't last

I absolutely agree I would not accept a fix they will not last I should have said get it taken care of buy getting e stove replaced.