Replacing brick in VC Montpelier insert

[IrishJim]

My VC Montpelier insert is 3 years old and I noticed after a fire a couple weeks ago that the left wall bricks and the back wall bricks were cracked. My dealer said these were covered under warranty, but I'll have to pay $175 to have them installed. They said it's an easy install so I should just do it myself, so I've tried to remove the old bricks myself, but can't get the back bricks out. I got the side bricks out only because they were cracked in half, but I can't get the new side bricks installed without removing the back bricks and possibly the top baffles.

Has anyone had success doing this themselves?

 

[Jags]

If just cracked, the bricks are still doing their job. Unless there is an integrity issue with them....fugitaboutit.

 

[begreen]

From the stove diagram these appear to be brick panels and not conventional firebrick. Often these panels need to be removed in the correct sequence starting with the bottom first. I would contact the dealer and ask them what the sequence is and if there are any hidden or special retainers that need to be also removed.

 

[IrishJim]

Thanks for your replies. And they are brick panels, I used the wrong terminology. The right and back panels only have minor cracks, so I could leave them in, but the left panel was completely cracked in 3 pieces, so I've taken that one out but can't fit the new one in. I believe you are correct about the sequence, it's like a jigsaw puzzle. I'll try and contact VC to see if they can shed more light on the proper way to remove the old panels.

 

[SolarBrian]

Did you ever succeed in replacing your brick panels?

 

[Grisu]

IrishJim has not been here since then and is therefore unlikely to see your question. You can click on his username and start a conversation with him. That will generate an email to which he may respond.