HVAC guys furnace help! (1 Viewer)

[Hawks64]

I have a Rheem Criterion II (100K BTUs model I think-4burners) that is having issues staying lit. The heat cycle begins normally, the blower starts, shortly after the electronic ignitor kicks on and then all 4 burners light. The issue appears after the furnace has been running for a while, typically longer than 5-10 minutes. Then the burner will go off while the blower continues to run. Then it will attempt to re-lit, the re-lit isn't successful on the first attempt, so it will wait ~30 seconds and attempt again which is always successful. It will then run for 1-3 minutes and the burner will go off again and the process begins again until the thermostat stops calling for heat. I cleaned the flame sensor which didn't correct the problem and then I replaced it which also didn't correct the issue. Any ideas on what could be causing this to happen?

 

[BroadwayG]

Bad thermal switch?

 

[CGRdrJoe]

At one time there was an A/C repair man by the name of Kid C...

 

[Hawks64]

Bad thermal switch?

Not sure...that's why I am asking. There are pressure switches, limit switches, gas valve, no idea what the cause and fix are.

 

[parasaurolophus]

what is the code flashing?

 

[parasaurolophus]

Just had to fix a similar problem. Tenant had bought some new fangled filter and put a scent paper on it that was restricting airflow. Limit switch was opening. Thought it was the flame sensor, but I was incorrect.

 

[Hawks64]

what is the code flashing?

There isn't an LED for codes. There are 3 lights that are on the control board but haven't seen any error lights. I'll check again.

 

[Hawks64]

Just had to fix a similar problem. Tenant had bought some new fangled filter and put a scent paper on it that was restricting airflow. Limit switch was opening. Thought it was the flame sensor, but I was incorrect.

Should I try running it without a filter for a cycle? All I have are the allergen filters and it's furnace from around 2000/2005 80% efficient.

 

[parasaurolophus]

Just had to fix a similar problem. Tenant had bought some new fangled filter and put a scent paper on it that was restricting airflow. Limit switch was opening. Thought it was the flame sensor, but I was incorrect.

Should I try running it without a filter for a cycle? All I have are the allergen filters and it's furnace from around 2000/2005 80% efficient.

Wouldn't hurt. Also what do the flames look like? Nice and blue?

 

[Hawks64]

Just had to fix a similar problem. Tenant had bought some new fangled filter and put a scent paper on it that was restricting airflow. Limit switch was opening. Thought it was the flame sensor, but I was incorrect.

Should I try running it without a filter for a cycle? All I have are the allergen filters and it's furnace from around 2000/2005 80% efficient.

Wouldn't hurt. Also what do the flames look like? Nice and blue?

Occasional orange bits in the flame, but generally 99% all blue. Also this "shoots" the flames down a tube, they are burners like I am traditionally used to.

Will try without a filter right now.

 

[Hawks64]

Just looked again and a lot more orange than I thought.

 

[parasaurolophus]

Just looked again and a lot more orange than I thought.

Little bits of orange are fine. Google flame rollout on furnace and watch the videos. You will know right away if that is happening to you. I doubt it is, since it fires right back up, but worth looking at.

 

[ffjunk]

Try the DIY threads. Follow this one in particular. Seems to have the same problem as you.

 

[parasaurolophus]

Try the DIY threads. Follow this one in particular. Seems to have the same problem as you.

nice grab

 

[Hawks64]

Try the DIY threads. Follow this one in particular. Seems to have the same problem as you.

nice grab

figured I would get a quicker response here....the FFA knows all.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Try the DIY threads. Follow this one in particular. Seems to have the same problem as you.

nice grab

 

[parasaurolophus]

Still doing it after taking the filter out? Still no lights?

Not fair to not keep the thread updated.

 

[Hawks64]

Sorry had a call I had to be on. Last attempt was fine without the filter. Ran a little over 10 minutes, need the house to cool down a bit before I run the next test, but will run that to 76 and hopefully run for at least 15-20 minutes.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Are your returns blocked? Maybe you need a less restrictive filter?

 

[El Floppo]

You can trust your car - and a whole lot more - to the man who wears a star.

 

[Hawks64]

Are your returns blocked? Maybe you need a less restrictive filter?

No returns are open, and that's what I am thinking since it ran fine without the filter. I will try again later once the house cools down some, try and get it to run for longer than 10 minutes.

 

[Hawks64]

So the furnace ran for an hour without kicking off with no filter. Guess I can't use the allergen filters

 

[belljr]

Those thick filters suck.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

A bit off-topic, but it's furnace-related, so what the hey:

Just had to replace the control board on my 1997 Trane furnace. The furnace guy said to use the disposable filters rather than the re-usable one (just rinse with soap and water) that I currently have. That it'll prolong the life of the furnace (which we may have to replace in a couple/few years, time to get a home warranty).

So, are disposable filters better than permanent ones?

 

[belljr]

A bit off-topic, but it's furnace-related, so what the hey:

Just had to replace the control board on my 1997 Trane furnace. The furnace guy said to use the disposable filters rather than the re-usable one (just rinse with soap and water) that I currently have. That it'll prolong the life of the furnace (which we may have to replace in a couple/few years, time to get a home warranty).

So, are disposable filters better than permanent ones?

Yes as long as you replace them regularly.

 

[Chemical X]

sorry, I have a rheem criterion I

 

[Annyong]

So the furnace ran for an hour without kicking off with no filter. Guess I can't use the allergen filters

Just had my furnace serviced and the guy told me not to waste money on filters. Told me to get the 99 cent blue ones. He says it will prolong the life of my furnace.

 

[Annyong]

So the furnace ran for an hour without kicking off with no filter. Guess I can't use the allergen filters

Just had my furnace serviced and the guy told me not to waste money on filters. Told me to get the 99 cent blue ones. He says it will prolong the life of my furnace.

He also said he plays drums professionally and Rob Zombie wanted him to play at his haunted house thing.

 

[ChiefD]

A bit off-topic, but it's furnace-related, so what the hey:

Just had to replace the control board on my 1997 Trane furnace. The furnace guy said to use the disposable filters rather than the re-usable one (just rinse with soap and water) that I currently have. That it'll prolong the life of the furnace (which we may have to replace in a couple/few years, time to get a home warranty).

So, are disposable filters better than permanent ones?

This is basically true. Those furnace filters that are dense like the accordion style restrict air flow so much that your system has to work harder to pull air through the blower. Unless your system was designed with those in mind from the start. Which most systems aren't by the way.

Plus, could lead to issues like the op is having.

 

[parasaurolophus]

So the furnace ran for an hour without kicking off with no filter. Guess I can't use the allergen filters

Happy it worked out for you. I missed almost the whole second half of the game last weekend because of those stupid filters.

 

[Hawks64]

So the furnace ran for an hour without kicking off with no filter. Guess I can't use the allergen filters

Happy it worked out for you. I missed almost the whole second half of the game last weekend because of those stupid filters.

Would have never thought that was the issue, the same filters were fine last year.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

So the furnace ran for an hour without kicking off with no filter. Guess I can't use the allergen filters

Happy it worked out for you. I missed almost the whole second half of the game last weekend because of those stupid filters.

Would have never thought that was the issue, the same filters were fine last year.

I found the problem.

 

[Hawks64]

So the furnace ran for an hour without kicking off with no filter. Guess I can't use the allergen filters

Happy it worked out for you. I missed almost the whole second half of the game last weekend because of those stupid filters.

Would have never thought that was the issue, the same filters were fine last year.

I found the problem.

The same type of filters.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

So the furnace ran for an hour without kicking off with no filter. Guess I can't use the allergen filters

Happy it worked out for you. I missed almost the whole second half of the game last weekend because of those stupid filters.

Would have never thought that was the issue, the same filters were fine last year.

I found the problem.

The same type of filters.

How often are you changing them?

 

[Hawks64]

So the furnace ran for an hour without kicking off with no filter. Guess I can't use the allergen filters

Happy it worked out for you. I missed almost the whole second half of the game last weekend because of those stupid filters.

Would have never thought that was the issue, the same filters were fine last year.

I found the problem.

The same type of filters.

How often are you changing them?

90 days...but that wasn't the problem. This furnace has a high limit switch in the in the blower area of the furnace, this is what's getting tripped and why there isn't any error codes being flashed per Rheem. My buddy who has done HVAC for 15-20 years came over and cleaned the A coil, measured the rise temp and everything looked good. But it is still doing it. He put a humidifier on about 3 years ago and he thinks that is the reason for the issue. After the heater runs for awhile the hot air is entering the cold air return to close to the blower. He's coming over tomorrow to move the humidifier return which should fix the problem.

 

[scottybo]

Should've got a Trane. Nothing stops it.