My Top 10 Routine Repairs

[smwilliamson]

People ask me all the time what my most common repair is. Since I service just about any model out there and keep records of this sorta thing...here's what the data says. This is a snap shot from Oct 2007 to April 1, 2013 by models....

1. Englander - PDVC and PDV - lower auger motor
2. Harman - all models - igniter
3. Enviro - 2002 through 2008 models - auger bushings/ auger motors
4. Lennox Country Winslow - POF switch
5. Breckwell - all models - exhaust blowers
6. Englander - PDVC and PDV - igniter
7. Breckwell - P Series models - Convection blower
8. Lennox Whitfield - Photoeye
9. Whitfield - Advantage - Combustion Blower
10. Harman - models with chain drive - Chain and sprockets
11. Enviro - 2006-2008 models - Control Boards

This isn't necessarily a snap shot of what needs what...but rather what I go to and what they need. You have to take in to consideration the volume of each model which I service and the density of models in my service area.

Just thought I'd put it out there.

 

[Lake Girl]

It helps with knowing what parts you should likely have on hand as back-up. Besides the cleaning issues, any stats for the Ecotecks? Do you record age of appliance when service is required?

Those kinds of stats will help with parts inventory for the new shop! The age at repair might also be a selling point or a reason to stay away from selling a certain stove...

 

[Mike D]

Any data on the Travis products?

 

[smwilliamson]

Travis does very well in service records. They actually maintain the best service records through my company. Even the old ones just keep going and going. Buy with confidence. Now again I have to do a control board or motor but not that often. They also make up a small percentage of my stoves...that may be because dealers are doing a god job of retaining customers or in fact their products are very well designed. I'm thinking a bit of both. You have a Leyden, one of my favorites in cast. My mother in law has one....just keeps going and going..about her 6th year with it now and has needed nothing.

 

[joescho]

People ask me all the time what my most common repair is. Since I service just about any model out there and keep records of this sorta thing...here's what the data says. This is a snap shot from Oct 2007 to April 1, 2013 by models....

1. Englander - PDVC and PDV - lower auger motor
2. Harman - all models - igniter
3. Enviro - 2002 through 2008 models - auger bushings/ auger motors
4. Lennox Country Winslow - POF switch
5. Breckwell - all models - exhaust blowers
6. Englander - PDVC and PDV - igniter
7. Breckwell - P Series models - Convection blower
8. Lennox Whitfield - Photoeye
9. Whitfield - Advantage - Combustion Blower
10. Harman - models with chain drive - Chain and sprockets
11. Enviro - 2006-2008 models - Control Boards

This isn't necessarily a snap shot of what needs what...but rather what I go to and what they need. You have to take in to consideration the volume of each model which I service and the density of models in my service area.


Just thought I'd put it out there.

I would have thought there would be a lot more igniters especially on the Quads. gaskets too. Both are pretty much consumables. PLus the Mt. Vernon was everybody's favorite a few years ago

 

[Mike D]

Travis does very well in service records. They actually maintain the best service records through my company. Even the old ones just keep going and going. Buy with confidence. Now again I have to do a control board or motor but not that often. They also make up a small percentage of my stoves...that may be because dealers are doing a god job of retaining customers or in fact their products are very well designed. I'm thinking a bit of both. You have a Leyden, one of my favorites in cast. My mother in law has one....just keeps going and going..about her 6th year with it now and has needed nothing.

Good to hear, thanks for the feedback. I've already replaced the igniter after 1 1/2 seasons... and I've heard from other Lopi owners on here they have the same issue.

 

[bf525]

Good to hear, thanks for the feedback. I've already replaced the igniter after 1 1/2 seasons... and I've heard from other Lopi owners on here they have the same issue.

Anything about Drolet ECO65

 

[smwilliamson]

I don't service enough of the drolet stoves to answer it really. The combex blower seems to be a routine problem if it has the plastic cooling fins on the motor and models with the thermocouple POF switch tend to fail and or have control board issues.

 

[smwilliamson]

#12 on my list was quad igniter. I do not place gaskets on my list of parts as they are meant to wear out.

 

[Utilitrack]

Good to hear, thanks for the feedback. I've already replaced the igniter after 1 1/2 seasons... and I've heard from other Lopi owners on here they have the same issue.

I must be one of the lucky ones, my Leyden just keeps on chugging along, no issues after 5 full seasons. I keep expecting my ignitor to go. So far so good!,

 

[saladdin]

Hate to pile on the requests but anything on Heatilator Ecochoice (running the cab50 myself).?

 

[smwilliamson]

Hate to pile on the requests but anything on Heatilator Ecochoice (running the cab50 myself).?

The EcoChoice units have only been out for 2 seasons so there isn't much data. I only have 6 or so in my system. Essentially they are quads so expect about the same reliability.

 

[FyreBug]

I don't service enough of the drolet stoves to answer it really. The combex blower seems to be a routine problem if it has the plastic cooling fins on the motor and models with the thermocouple POF switch tend to fail and or have control board issues.

That would be the ECO-45 older style. The 65 has a different blower altogether. Mainly igniters for service claims.

 

[MountainSean]

I don't service enough of the drolet stoves to answer it really. The combex blower seems to be a routine problem if it has the plastic cooling fins on the motor and models with the thermocouple POF switch tend to fail and or have control board issues.

Anything about Drolet ECO65

In the last year our largest item replaced for SBI was the combex blower for the 45. Followed by the brick panels. Igniters we didn't sell very many of at all. For the 65 we sold mostly igniters and gasket kits and not very many of either.

 

[Mike D]

I must be one of the lucky ones, my Leyden just keeps on chugging along, no issues after 5 full seasons. I keep expecting my ignitor to go. So far so good!,

Oh, it will...especially now that you've called it out. Might be wise to buy a replacement igniter in the off season "just in case".

 

[FyreBug]

The problems with igniters is pellet appliance MFG dont make them. We buy them all from the same sources. I cant remember the failure rate for the first year but let's assume its 2-5%. I've seen some of them not work right out of the box. We the MFG are always on the lookout for the perfect igniter but it hasnt been invented yet...

 

[smwilliamson]

Enviro tests every single electronic part before they put them in to a unit or sell them as replacements...not sure who else does this. You can tell on the igniter anyway cause the outer skin of the metal is discolored. Not sure if this justifies having parts that are 100% more expensive than everyone else.

 

[slls]

I would say your most Quad igniter replace would be MT AE, lots of problems there. How does that go ,multi-fuel burn anything.

 

[Stevekng]

People ask me all the time what my most common repair is. Since I service just about any model out there and keep records of this sorta thing...here's what the data says. This is a snap shot from Oct 2007 to April 1, 2013 by models....

1. Englander - PDVC and PDV - lower auger motor
2. Harman - all models - igniter
3. Enviro - 2002 through 2008 models - auger bushings/ auger motors
4. Lennox Country Winslow - POF switch
5. Breckwell - all models - exhaust blowers
6. Englander - PDVC and PDV - igniter
7. Breckwell - P Series models - Convection blower
8. Lennox Whitfield - Photoeye
9. Whitfield - Advantage - Combustion Blower
10. Harman - models with chain drive - Chain and sprockets
11. Enviro - 2006-2008 models - Control Boards

This isn't necessarily a snap shot of what needs what...but rather what I go to and what they need. You have to take in to consideration the volume of each model which I service and the density of models in my service area.


Just thought I'd put it out there.

I guess I should feel lucky, My Enviro has needed one exaust blower motor and two igniters in seven years. My Quad has needed nothing in 5 years. I've done all the repairs myself at a cost of $400.00 total. That's a little over $50.00 ayear for two stoves. Not too shaby. Oh yes, and my other stove (Afton Bay St. Croix) at my place on PEI, Canada has cost me nothing for the past four years.

 

[imacman]

Interesting to note that no models from Travis are on the top 10. As I've said all along, they make a good stove.

 

[Utilitrack]

Oh, it will...especially now that you've called it out. Might be wise to buy a replacement igniter in the off season "just in case".

I may do that, source it through the hearthstore or on line?

 

[briansol]

Lennox Country Winslow - POF switch

I can vouch for that! lol one every year or so....

 

[bbfarm]

Hmmm...no St Criox on the list?

Of course that could be either they are an awesome stove or not many people in your area have them.

 

[smwilliamson]

Most St. Croix stoves just need to be cleaned...though there was a bout of control boards and versa grate motors I went through but not enough to make the list.

 

[Mike D]

I may do that, source it through the hearthstore or on line?

That's where it gets tricky. Travis has a strict policy that prohibits their dealers from selling outside their assigned territory, which usually means that your dealer can price it how he wants. Now... that doesn't mean that you can't find someone to sell you one online. I'll send you a pm on this as well.