Vermont Castings Encore 2550 Combustion Hood & More ?'s w/ Pics

[KatieKat1690]

Hello everyone, I'm a complete newbie here so sorry if anything is wrong with this post. My family and I recently (Last January 2014) rented a house that has the vermont castings stove encore 2550 model already installed. I have no idea how long the stove has been here or when it was installed. I know the landlord was pretty good with cleaning everything out but I don't know about the previous tenants.

Last season when we used it, we had no problems and we cleaned it out in the summer months before this burning season. This winter though we have had a bunch of problems. First we had a clog in the chimney area that had to be cleaned out again mid winter and now we are having problems with the combustion throat hood that continuously falls off.

I do have some questions and provided pictures so if anybody can help out that would be great! Thank you!

1.) The combustion throat hood seems to be warped so I know we will need to replace it but I just want to be sure if that is the only problem.

Our current throat hood

There is a throat hood available here on(broken link removed to http://www.ebay.com/itm/1308625-VERMONT-CASTINGS-ENCORE-COMBUSTION-THROAT-/191513673878?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c971ac096) but my question is, is it reliable or ok to buy parts from eBay? We did call a local VC retailer but they said it would take them 2-6 weeks to get the part and that we we're better off probably trying to find it somewhere else.
2.) Does anyone have any good sites to buy parts off?
3.) Would it be ok to still use the stove and burn wood without the throat hood?

Also I've been wondering if something is wrong with the catalytic combustor or the back of the stove. Sorry if its hard to see in these pictures because it was a little dark. I think you are supposed to easily be able to take the combustor out but there is some kind of squishy type substance surrounding the combustor. My brother who works in heating, broilers etc. said that its usually found in broilers to protect things from the heat.


Sorry the pictures are not straight, I can't figure out how to put them the right way. Also sorry if this post is all over the place basically just want to know if anyone sees any major problems.
A view of the whole stove .

 

[webby3650]

The throat hood keeps falling out because it's so warped. It needs replaced.
The issue is that often all the cast parts warped together, so a new throat, lower fireback and damper frame is needed. It can get into big bucks! Then often times the combustion package is also bad. That's the squishy stuff.
You really need to pull that lower fireback to inspect the combustion box that houses the cat. It is likely clogged with ash on the exhaust sides of the box.

 

[Excavator]

You might end up doing the complete fireback kit as I ended up doing on my 0028 encore. If your parts are warped then chances are that the refractory and cat needs inspection and replace. Here is part number for th complete kit NOT including the cat with instructions

http://www.intrepidcreativity.com/r...catalytic-replacement/encore2550-fireback.pdf

 

[jharkin]

Lower fire back also looks badly eroded... I think I see cracks as well. Most likely that stove was seriously overfired. I agree with the above, I would take it apart and expect to need the entire fire back kit - lower back, upper back, hood, refractory and a new cat. This will be $$$ and if you have to pay for labor probably more expensive than replacing the stove.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but we have seen many in this shape.

 

[Firekeeper]

Checking on what you have found, I have a 2550 that I'm rebuilding. My hood was warp to and refractory was falling apart with a hole on the right side causing a big bubble in the stainless side plate. The plate did it job protecting the side of the stove

 

[Firekeeper]

Here is a picture of the stainless side plate

 

[Firekeeper]

 

[Firekeeper]

I believe there where alot of air not going through the cat

 

[webby3650]

Looks like a bunch of typical encore parts! All burned up and warped..

 

[bholler]

Looks like a bunch of typical encore parts! All burned up and warped..

yeah i have seen it allot also