Dutchwest 2461 Inner Top Web and Baffle

[Mryank9]

Hey everyone..I have been going through and replacing my gaskets today. Did the doors, now started the damper. The damper gasket goes across the inner top web. After I removed the inner top web piece to clean out the old cement I tried to put it back in place and it won't fit on the right side. I'm not sure if it warped or anything but it doesn't look right as it is. I posted a picture to show. I also have a picture of my inner baffle to see if you think it needs to be replaced. Should I just buy new ones of each?

Thanks guys

 

[Hardrockmaple]

This is what a new baffle looks like, are the air holes plugged on your yours? If so, a wire brush and small round file may clean yours up.

 

[defiant3]

My professional opinion is : build a fire and stop worrying. When the stove won't run properly, or the damper won't open sand close properly, THEN start worrying. Cause you'll need a new inner top and all the other stuff in thee. Just enjoy the stove for now, and dream of the next one you'll buy someday when your 2461 wears out.

 

[Matt Ruggeri]

I went through this with mine. Replaced the inner top web of mine last year because it wouldn't fit back in after maintenance. About 2 weeks ago it fell out again, ordered another one, but it still wont fit because the inside top of the stove is warped. Posted a couple of time about using it without the inner top web in place, No one answered. Just using the furnace for now. ;( This is my first and last CDW stove! Too many parts/seams/clips etc.

My professional opinion is : build a fire and stop worrying. When the stove won't run properly, or the damper won't open sand close properly, THEN start worrying. Cause you'll need a new inner top and all the other stuff in thee. Just enjoy the stove for now, and dream of the next one you'll buy someday when your 2461 wears out.

I was gonna give the same advice! If it's working, and not over-firing or running away, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[Mryank9]

Thanks guys..Yea Matt it's definitely frustrating. I noticed on mine that the opening of the damper home is slightly warped so wondering if I should even bother buying the new inner top web. I should have just the old gasket alone!

 

[Matt Ruggeri]

Ours was warped too, like I say the previous owner abused and neglected it pretty badly. I would run it if you can, and wait until the burning season is over to fix it. These stoves are like working on an old house or car, fix one problem and 10 more pop up! Looks like you're not too far from me, so usually March/April is when "shoulder" season happens; take it apart then, re-do the gaskets, adjust the damper, check the cat, etc...

 

[Mryank9]

Yea exactly..when you bought the new inner top web did it fit better than the old one? I already ripped out the old damper gasket and everything so need to get that piece back on place for the new gasket!

 

[Hardrockmaple]

If what your concerned about is the web fitting flush take it to a grinding wheel and grind the bottom until it slips back in place, My 2460 has been burning 4 seasons now with this cheap fix.

 

[Matt Ruggeri]

Yea exactly..when you bought the new inner top web did it fit better than the old one? I already ripped out the old damper gasket and everything so need to get that piece back on place for the new gasket!

A little better, but I had to grind it down a little.

If what your concerned about is the web fitting flush take it to a grinding wheel and grind the bottom until it slips back in place, My 2460 has been burning 4 seasons now with this cheap fix.

My browser didn't refresh in time. The latest one I ground over 1/8 of an inch, and it still wouldn't fit. The rest of the stove is in such bad shape i'm not going to bother!

 

[Mryank9]

When you say the bottom do you mean the area between the little clip? Sorry for all of the questions

 

[Matt Ruggeri]

When you say the bottom do you mean the area between the little clip? Sorry for all of the questions

I had to grind the sides down the 2 angled ones. Probably a good idea to replace the clips too!

 

[Hardrockmaple]

Your stove has smaller gaps at the web than mine does. I'd clean the cat, put it all back together and see how it runs.

 

[Woody Stover]

I'm leery of taking my 2460 apart after seeing these stories. I doubt I over-fired it since I never had dry wood. I don't know about the previous owner, though. It does have some lighter-colored areas on the cast sides, so it probably got hot at some point. It needs a new air distributor....that shouldn't be a problem. I'm getting ready to put it back in and see how it works out on the hearth instead of in the fireplace, top-vented. I've got a steel cat to toss in there. I guess I'll look it over, seal a few seams if needed with Meeco or Rutland gasket cement/stove sealer, and call it a day.

 

[Matt Ruggeri]

Luckily they made the visible gaskets pretty easy to replace. I'll admit, I've cheated on mine and used stove cement on the inside corner seals!

 

[Mryank9]

Well I just placed an order for a new inner top web and two new clips (can't believe how much those little pieces of metal were!) so hopefully they arrive ASAP

 

[Matt Ruggeri]

Well I just placed an order for a new inner top web and two new clips (can't believe how much those little pieces of metal were!) so hopefully they arrive ASAP

Yeah, like $5/each. If you know anyone who's a mechanic, you can always find extra parts for exhaust brackets, then cut and drill them. I used "high heat" (stainless) exhaust washers to hold my damper back in place, instead of the $5 clips.

 

[Mryank9]

ok so good news and more bad news lol..replaced the inner top web, put the damper gasket on, everything going smoothly. noticed that now the damper needed to be adjusted..followed the instructions in the manual to play around with the adjustment bolts. They were so rusted/heated on there that I snapped the head off the bolts..now waiting for my new damper adjuster part. Just one thing after another!

 

[Mryank9]

Another update..got everything put back together last night..so replaced all door gaskets, damper gasket, and top gasket, inner top web and tabs, and damler adjuster..cleaned out the cat and the baffle of any ash..got my first fire burning right now. Seems to be much more flame than before, and the cat temp probe went up a lot quicker than before I did the maintenance..does this seem normal? Even when I lowered the primary air adjustment still seems like my flame is high, although I did notice it went down a bit..thanks guys

 

[Matt Ruggeri]

Cleaning the cat can have HUGE effect on how it will draft. Is it firing off OK? What temps are you getting? I'm really missing my stove right now. The furnace hasn't stopped burning dollar bills all night!

 

[Mryank9]

I was cruising 1000 on the cat probe with the primary air fully closed (max i saw on the stove top with my IR was 800)..still getting a good flame too which made me think something wasn't right..flame has since died down and I'm around 700 on the probe

 

[Matt Ruggeri]

Check the damper and door gaskets too. The ashpan door was one that always gave me trouble!

 

[Mryank9]

I replaced all those but I have a feeling its the ashpan door!

 

[Mryank9]

Has anyone tried using gasket cement to seal a gap between the inner top web and the inner top? I wonder if that space is my issue..and some air is going through that gap rather than through the cat

 

[Hardrockmaple]

Air slipping pass the cat should not be the cause of flames in the firebox. Flames in the firebox is usually because you have too much oxygen in the firebox.

 

[Mryank9]

Hm ok..so my gaskets I replaced probably need to be checked again..sorry I have been asking so many questions! First time I did any maintenance on the stove and want to make sure its working ok