Heatilator GCDC42L replacement

[EEProf]

I have a GCDC42L that was installed in ‘98 (~23 years). Worked great all last winter. I keep the pilot on year round. I started testing it about a month ago and noticed that I had to flip the switch a couple of times to get it to fire. I figured the gas valve was sticky from disuse. Anyway, it started working fine a week ago. Then tonight it got really cold, I fired it up and it lit fine. Ran for two hours and then died. Pilot is out. I’ll troubleshoot tomorrow, but frankly, I am thinking of just pulling the log set out completely and getting new.

Is that an option?

 

[Lennox65]

I have a GCDC42L that was installed in ‘98 (~23 years). Worked great all last winter. I keep the pilot on year round. I started testing it about a month ago and noticed that I had to flip the switch a couple of times to get it to fire. I figured the gas valve was sticky from disuse. Anyway, it started working fine a week ago. Then tonight it got really cold, I fired it up and it lit fine. Ran for two hours and then died. Pilot is out. I’ll troubleshoot tomorrow, but frankly, I am thinking of just pulling the log set out completely and getting new.

Is that an option?

View attachment 284695

You can just replace the pilot assembly and that will get you a few more years use. That is a factory built direct vent gas fireplace, so there is no "gas log" to replace. You would have to replace the entire fireplace and venting.

 

[EEProf]

You can just replace the pilot assembly and that will get you a few more years use. That is a factory built direct vent gas fireplace, so there is no "gas log" to replace. You would have to replace the entire fireplace and venting.

By 'gas log' I meant log set; i.e., the logs, gas valve, burner, igniter, etc., like a Real Fyre or Empire package unit.

This is what I was told by the local Heatilator dealer, that the whole shebang has to come out, which I find ridiculous since they said the entire mantel and surround would need to be removed. Some of the parts of this set are no longer available and I cannot believe no one has never pulled out the guts of a Heatilator and replaced them with an off the shelf set. Of course, there could be a reason, but as an engineer I am stumped as to why not.

 

[Lennox65]

By 'gas log' I meant log set; i.e., the logs, gas valve, burner, igniter, etc., like a Real Fyre or Empire package unit.

This is what I was told by the local Heatilator dealer, that the whole shebang has to come out, which I find ridiculous since they said the entire mantel and surround would need to be removed. Some of the parts of this set are no longer available and I cannot believe no one has never pulled out the guts of a Heatilator and replaced them with an off the shelf set. Of course, there could be a reason, but as an engineer I am stumped as to why not.

The reason is that the fireplaces are tested and listed only to be used with tested and listed parts for that particular unit. Of course you can do anything that you want to do but you may burn down your house or kill a family member with carbon monoxide.