Warp in airwash retainer/manifold in Lopi Liberty

[Simon Says]

Hi All:

Happy New Year!

I have a 2018 Liberty that has been working fine, and for all I can discern, continues to work fine. For the past two seasons a warped developed on the underside of the air-wash retainer. There is also a crack about dead center on the underside of the retainer (between the two large warped areas). The crack runs half way up the back of the retainer. To be clear the perforated metal tube is not cracked, the crack is exclusive to the retainer/manifold that houses the perforated air-wash tube. The retainer/manifold appears to be of flimsy metal compared to the other internals, and especially for its locations. As far as I can see, it appears that there is no back side to the perforated metal tube, the retainer is what keeps the air from going out the back of the tube and up the chimney. I saw a 2019 youtube maintenance video for the Liberty where the air-wash tube appeared to be made out of a single piece of thick metal (no retainer), perforated on the front (room facing) and and bottom. It appears there was a design change around that time.

I am not inclined to have this welded. Other than not having the skills to do so, I fear that a weld may fuse the perforated metal and retainer, or cause or make likely additional warping. Instead, I was thinking of slowly over time gently hammering out the warp in the retainer when the stove is hot, then adding some kind of fireproof tape/filler over the crack (which I suspect I may have to replace from time to time). However, if the crack is of no major concern, I would be inclined to live and let live. Any thoughts or ideas?

 

[begreen]

It the warping occuring on the front edge of the forward baffle support?

 

[Simon Says]

It the warping occuring on the front edge of the forward baffle support?

If I understand the question correctly, no. The warping described can be seen in the first picture (the underside of the perforated air-wash tube, front of stove).

 

[begreen]

I haven't seen this configuration before. In the following year (2019 Liberty) I think there was a simple baffle end cap at that location. Regardless, I would discuss this with the dealer and would not burn this way for long out of concern for further damage by flame and heat being concentrated in the warped areas.

 

[Simon Says]

I haven't seen this configuration before. In the following year (2019 Liberty) I think there was a simple baffle end cap at that location. Regardless, I would discuss this with the dealer and would not burn this way for long out of concern for further damage by flame and heat being concentrated in the warped areas.

That does make sense. Do you suspect for the 2019 there was a baffle end-cap where the warp occurred (pic 1)?

 

[begreen]

This is from the first, NexGen Liberty in 2019.



@webby3650 have you seen this on a 2018 Liberty? It looks like a flame shield at the front of the baffle, like one would see on a cat stove.