Pacific Energy S27 Help Needed

[albertj03]

I've had my PE Super 27 for about 5 years and it's been a great stove. It does sometimes have a tendency to run hot now and then but for the last few seasons I've really gotten it dialed in and mostly problem free until yesterday. For some reason yesterday from the first load of wood to the last it was burning scary hot and getting up to those temps super fast. On each load both the stove pipe and stove top thermometers were maxed out with the air all the way down. The only thing I can think of is that I cleaned the glass yesterday morning but don't remember touching the gasket at all. I've always burned seasoned hard wood and my chimney sweep tells me every year that my chimney looks great with no build up. I'm going to check it before loading up this morning. Does anyone have any ideas of what the problem could be?

Also, I've never changed any of the gaskets on this stove or the baffle inside. I have no idea how to do. After 5 years should I be thinking about replacing everything?

Thanks

 

[huauqui]

Sorry you are having trouble, it stinks when we finally feel we have it dialed in and something changes. Since you cleaned the glass I would double check that the brackets that hold it in place are not loose or that the glass didn't move while you were cleaning it. Also check that something didn't get knocked down on the door gasket that is holding a spot open for air infiltration. Those are just ideas. I am sure others will have better input shortly.

Can't wait to hear when it is all fixed up.

huauqui

 

[Squisher]

After five years it could be gasket time. You should dollar bill test your door seal next chance you get that it's cool enough to do. You put a bill between the stove and door and close it, there should be a decent resistance to pulling it out. Not quite bill tearing but snug enough to offer some resistance. Repeat this procedure all the way around the door/stove seal.

 

[albertj03]

I may have found the problem. Upon inspecting the door gasket I found that it was loose and then it just about fell off. I've never replaced one of these before. Are there anything special that you need to do? Also, even though the gasket is fallingkng off the door still closes tight and I couldn't really find a leak with a lighter going all around it. I put a small load of wood in to see what happens today. Where would be the best place to buy a replacement gasket?

Thanks

 

[albertj03]

Small load of wood unsucessfull, complete blaze within 15 minutes!

 

[albertj03]

I checked this gap where the stove pipe goes into the damper, which has always been there, and it appears to be a pulling air pretty good. I don't know if this would be the issue though because it's always been there.

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[albertj03]

This is less than a half load of wood that has been in the stove for maybe 45 minutes with the air completely turned down all the way. Last night with a full load of wood the thermometers where maxed out.

PS: the tinfoil is so I can see where the needle is on my ip camera when I check it from my phone. Without it the needle is hard to see. The white spots and crap all over the top of the stove was from my wife running the stove without refilling the pot with water. All the grime at the bottom of the pot exploded all over the place.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

It looks like it's in good shape. I might try to cement it back in place. But that's me.

 

[Squisher]

You mention checking your door gasket for a leak with a lighter? Unsure of what you meant. Do the dollar bill test I described for you in my last post to check if your door is effectively sealing.

 

[Sodbuster]

Stove temps in your picture are hot, but nothing that the S27 can't handle. Problem is you're wasting wood, and putting too much heat up the chimney. I have the PE Summit, and when i really need the heat, I like my stove top to be between 650 and 700. Like Squisher stated, do the dollar bill test on the door gasket, bet it's not sealing very tightly. Do you have an ash pan?

 

[albertj03]

Stove temps in your picture are hot, but nothing that the S27 can't handle. Problem is you're wasting wood, and putting too much heat up the chimney. I have the PE Summit, and when i really need the heat, I like my stove top to be between 650 and 700. Like Squisher stated, do the dollar bill test on the door gasket, bet it's not sealing very tightly. Do you have an ash pan?

Totally agree. My stove handles higher temps no problem. The thing about those temps was just that it was less than half a load with the air all the way down.

I would have done the dollar bill test but the gasket ended up falling off the door all together. I was going to replace it myself but when I called the dealer I bought it from to ask if they had the gasket they told me to bring in the door and they will replace the gasket for me. Looking forward to trying it out with a new gasket.

 

[huauqui]

Love to see a dealer do the right thing. Bravo to them. That should make her burn a little differently

 

[begreen]

Totally agree. My stove handles higher temps no problem. The thing about those temps was just that it was less than half a load with the air all the way down.

I would have done the dollar bill test but the gasket ended up falling off the door all together. I was going to replace it myself but when I called the dealer I bought it from to ask if they had the gasket they told me to bring in the door and they will replace the gasket for me. Looking forward to trying it out with a new gasket.

The gasket is the issue. Our gasket failed earlier this year. The results were similar. Replace it with a PE oem gasket and use red rtv silicone for the adhesive. Your stove should assume its normal well behaved demeanor after the replacement.

 

[Sodbuster]

The gasket is the issue. Our gasket failed earlier this year. The results were similar. Replace it with a PE oem gasket and use red rtv silicone for the adhesive. Your stove should assume its normal well behaved demeanor after the replacement.

Agreed, your gasket is shot, air is entering from some source. If you don't have a leaky ash pan door, then the only other source for a leak is your door gasket. I need to replace mine in the spring.

 

[weatherguy]

I always keep an extra gasket I get from the company on hand, these things usually happen at the beginning of a cold snap.

 

[Sprinter]

You were right to go to the dealer for a proper OEM gasket. It was great that the dealer did it for you after 5 years. Great dealer.
Sodbuster mentioned the ash door. They can also cause this kind of thing because they often don't close tight. Just something to keep in mind FWIW.

BTW, my 27 is now nearly 5 years old, so I'll be watching mine too...

 

[albertj03]

You were right to go to the dealer for a proper OEM gasket. It was great that the dealer did it for you after 5 years. Great dealer.
Sodbuster mentioned the ash door. They can also cause this kind of thing because they often don't close tight. Just something to keep in mind FWIW.

BTW, my 27 is now nearly 5 years old, so I'll be watching mine too...

My 27 has been a great stove. I checked and it's actually been 6 years since I bought it and this is the only problem I've had. I do have the ash door but I never use it as it's difficult to make sure the door is fully closed without something being stuck in it. I should have listened to the dealer when he told me I was better off without the ash door but it was free at the time so I got it. I wonder if I could uninstall it and replace the plate that was originally there.

 

[Sprinter]

I do have the ash door but I never use it as it's difficult to make sure the door is fully closed without something being stuck in it. I should have listened to the dealer when he told me I was better off without the ash door but it was free at the time so I got it. I wonder if I could uninstall it and replace the plate that was originally there.

Same here. It's the Heritage model with the ash pan door. As long as you haven't opened it up, I wouldn't bother blocking it. I haven't heard of anyone having a problem with it as long as it stays closed.

Have you had occasion to remove the baffle? If you do, be sure to replace the gasket in the rear of it. They are very flimsy from the factory. There are some threads here on a better way to replace it.