Cumberland mf3800

[mmckee83]

Starting to regret our Cumberland mf3800 stove. We bought it brand new 3 heating seasons ago (2015-16 being the third). First year stove was awesome, second year stove was awesome but towards the end of the heating season was having issues. Was getting weird display readings on the controller and wasn't acting right. Started stove this year and same issues but worse, couldn't even keep the stove running. Dealer came out and replaced the controller and all was well for about a month. Back to issues, stove would randomly just shut off with no faults on the display. Got to the point where it wouldn't even run for a day. Dealer came back out and replaced controller again. All seemed well but before they left issue returned, concluded that it needs a new wiring harness but the stove would run without an issue and they are coming back to replace. Came home today to a cold house and no running stove, now it won't run and will only say vacuum fault. Seals are all good and the stove is cleaned 2x week and deep cleaned by the dealer each year before heating season (they pull the exhaust blower and vent, in which I watch so I know it's done). I have noticed that the exhaust fan will not start during startup but the motor gets warm. Looks like another call to the dealer before they come back to replace the wiring harness.

Starting to think that we may have got a bum unit? It makes me more nervous that they quit making the stoves. So far the dealer has covered everything under warranty but these things should last more then 2 years. Wondering if I should get it going and cut more potential problems?

Also it doesn't seem to be throwing the heat it did the first year and a half. Last year when it was -10 for about 2 months it had no problem heating the front of the house to 73-74 and the back to 65ish. This year with it 15-20 outside it can barely get the living room to 71 and the back to 62. Something just doesn't seem right, I know pellets vary but we used stove chow last year and are using stove chow again this year.

 

[Lake Girl]

If the exhaust blower is not running, that would explain the vaccum fault code. Sounds like it is getting power if the motor gets warm... Does that motor require lubrication and has it been lubricated with 3-in-1 electric motor oil?

 

[mmckee83]

Tech. came today and pulled the exhaust blower. It was very dirty and not turning freely, he said that he thinks it got so dirty because of the issues this year and it not running/shutting down properly. Re-cleaned it and it ran fine. Changed out the wire harness and everything started up and ran like it used to with no issues if the wires got jiggled. Came home tonight to a warm house like what we were use to. It's back to throwing out the heat like before and the front and back of the house are at least 5 degrees warmer then they were with it colder outside. New computer, new wires and connectors so pretty much a new stove. Hopefully the issues this year were just a one time thing.

 

[3650]

Clean out chimney pipe. Leaf blower works well. There is a small hole under the exhaust exit just behind the ash pan. Clean that with small round wire brush then run a vacuum over that hole. Make sure the groove in that removable base plat under the burn pot is facing the door of the stove. Check gaskets using the dollar bill test. Make sure you are.using a surge protector. Sounds like you have a decent dealer if he is covering the parts. If the exhaust blower is getting weak you will get that error especially in high winds that are blowing toward the chimney pipe. My money is on the blower. Best of luck.