Hi all!
First time poster here from SC where it’s actually snowing right now.
Here’s what I got.
I recently moved into a 1957 brick house with masonry chimney and a fireplace in the basement and upstairs den. I removed gas logs in favor of an insert. I found a local guy selling a BK Princess for $600. It’s about 10 years old and in fair shape. So I picked it up last week and installed a 6” liner with insulation kit. I modified the damper and bent some sheet metal to cover and seal. I also put in a new catalyst. Here’s the problem:
I built my first fire last night and began getting a feel for how it operates. Kept it small and never engaged catalyst. Had the fan on low and turned it up as I was getting ready for bed. Got up and checked on the fire for the last time and in the dark seen a few embers blow out toward the floor. On low it didn’t do it but on high it would continue. So I freaked out turned off the fan and turned damper down on low. Proceeded to stay up half the night paranoid.
I then came home from work today and pulled the insert out and inspected. I was assuming that maybe a pinhole had rusted through around the exhaust (male) connection. I didn’t find anything at all felt around and didn’t notice anything although I’m not certain what I was looking for. So I then assumed that it must be the appliance adapter not being seated correctly. I then really wrenched down on he adapter and retightened the liner. I also wrapped 3 layers of foil tape around the where they join (bad idea, glues melt and stink awful!). Built another fire tonight and the same thing. I looked close and could see a tiny glow under the firebox shroud around the exhaust but maybe an inch away from where it is actually welded into the firebox. Weird thing is that it appears to 1/4” steel in that area. It just doesn’t seem that would rust through.
Has anyone experienced this?
Any suggestions?
I have attached a couple of pictures.
Sorry to be so long. Just wanted to give the situation in case I did something stupid!
Thank you for any input.
Josh in SC
First time poster here from SC where it’s actually snowing right now.
Here’s what I got.
I recently moved into a 1957 brick house with masonry chimney and a fireplace in the basement and upstairs den. I removed gas logs in favor of an insert. I found a local guy selling a BK Princess for $600. It’s about 10 years old and in fair shape. So I picked it up last week and installed a 6” liner with insulation kit. I modified the damper and bent some sheet metal to cover and seal. I also put in a new catalyst. Here’s the problem:
I built my first fire last night and began getting a feel for how it operates. Kept it small and never engaged catalyst. Had the fan on low and turned it up as I was getting ready for bed. Got up and checked on the fire for the last time and in the dark seen a few embers blow out toward the floor. On low it didn’t do it but on high it would continue. So I freaked out turned off the fan and turned damper down on low. Proceeded to stay up half the night paranoid.
I then came home from work today and pulled the insert out and inspected. I was assuming that maybe a pinhole had rusted through around the exhaust (male) connection. I didn’t find anything at all felt around and didn’t notice anything although I’m not certain what I was looking for. So I then assumed that it must be the appliance adapter not being seated correctly. I then really wrenched down on he adapter and retightened the liner. I also wrapped 3 layers of foil tape around the where they join (bad idea, glues melt and stink awful!). Built another fire tonight and the same thing. I looked close and could see a tiny glow under the firebox shroud around the exhaust but maybe an inch away from where it is actually welded into the firebox. Weird thing is that it appears to 1/4” steel in that area. It just doesn’t seem that would rust through.
Has anyone experienced this?
Any suggestions?
I have attached a couple of pictures.
Sorry to be so long. Just wanted to give the situation in case I did something stupid!
Thank you for any input.
Josh in SC