called to check gas furnace heat exchanger ,second opinion

hack alert ...i was shocked that someone would leave a gas furnace like this running .. replacement video will be posted in a few days

[@truthsmiles]

Nice vid. My only feedback would be that when a customer asks "Can you fix the heat exchanger", it doesn't sound credible to just flatly say, "No you can't". A response like, "Well, I CAN, but a new one for this unit would cost you $900, plus $500 for my time to replace it and the rest is still 20 years old, versus $1,500 for a whole new furnace and $200 to do the work. It's up to you - I don't care either way" would give me a lot more confidence in hiring you. I may be unusual but if you didn't at least give me a choice I would probably thank you for taking a look and call somewhere else to get a price for just fixing the heat exchanger - not because that's what I would actually do, but because I want to be informed. Anyway, great video otherwise - thanks for sharing!

[@THEFlea1991]

You read my mind, lol. Great video though, dudes voice sounds like Mark Wahlberg's younger brother x]

[@nixcoolfix]

You cannot fix the heat exchanger. You can only replace it.

[@douglasvalladares2025]

Two hundred for the job, you think this is the 80s guy!

[@truthsmiles]

@@douglasvalladares2025 it really is crazy how much has changed in the last 5 years. I agree it seems completely unreasonable now :)

[@nicholasceea4109]

Thanks for the video. First time I have seen a cracked exchanger in operation.

[@stevenlavimoniere]

Nicholas CeeA this one was ovious ,when the fan came on

[@sadhvacman7238]

Tranes early hot surface ignition furnaces like this one had a design flaw that would always cause the outside exchangers to fail. TUD, TUJ, models. Because of the width of the blower outlet, the two outside heat cells got very little air flow and would always burn hotter than the rest of the cells and they will fail just like that one did. That one makes a lot of sense if you think about it, the worst cell was the outside cell opposite from the entering air side. Can't believe the friggin putty and tape....That guy was a top notch tech. Hope you got the sale.

[@stevenlavimoniere]

sad hvacman i did change it out a few days later ..

[@colt8826SOLDIER11B]

Yea that's crazy taping it up like that, must have been some crackhead playing H tech

[@RRada-kx8ip]

Hey Steve, thank goodness she had enough sense to call you and get a second opinion that's some crazy hvac hacking going on there...

[@stevenlavimoniere]

Rich Rada very scary for sure

[@PROJECT.LUKE.ONE.75]

Was he not just blocking the ports to prevent using to furnace? I don't see anything wrong with that if it's a confirmed crack in the heat exchanger.

[@JohnDoe-jt9oq]

@@PROJECT.LUKE.ONE.75 Where I'm from you don't prevent someone from using the furnace, because if their pipes burst that's on you. You say, use it at your own risk. Nothing stopping them from getting a hotel while they wait for a new furnace.

[@potatolew4495]

@@PROJECT.LUKE.ONE.75 he only blocked 2 on the gas train, not all 5. If you pay attention to the video when Steve disables then enables the fan, it is evident that the outer 2 jets are.the ones rolling out , the ones the other "professional" blo ked off. That is not just plain wrong but also dangerous as the gas pressure could possibly elevate on the open jets and if his patch started leaking and enough gas built up, you could imagine the roll out in that situation.

[@mranonymous2082]

I've been doing hvac/r for a long time and I'm curious, did she ever call you back to do the install?? Or did she get a 3rd person that came and told her aw no big deal lol. I know from experience that when you tell some people they need a new furnace and cant replace the heat exchanger they think you are the one trying to scam them not the dude who could have killed them with that hack job. I could tell by the tone in her voice that when you told her you couldn't replace the heat exchanger and had to replace the whole furnace she was already thinking about calling a 3rd guy to see if they could replace the heat exchanger and not the whole unit lmao I swear some people are a pain in the ass like that

[@jhhvacplumbing1944]

Excellent job Steve and looking forward to the install vid .

[@stevenlavimoniere]

justin henning i am doing it tomorrow

[@BoffinGrusky]

Well Steve, her Christmas is going to be a bit more stressed this year!! But at least she'll live to tell the tale!!

[@stevenlavimoniere]

watcherjohnny it has to be safe .or we make it safe for the customer

[@averycorwin1139]

Unbelievable great job Steve being the better technician you made the right decision and put the unit out of service and had her get a new furnace. Being a mechanic for 10 years makes me proud to see that there's some people out there that still use their head that's why I love watching your videos because it's genuine work and good knowledge to be learned

[@StuffStudier]

I noticed the one all the way to the right when the fan came on was dancing around, and one burner to the left was dancing around before the blower came on which is weird

[@mikeb1617]

Show me the crack? where exactly is the crack on the heat exchange?

[@ericparent7794]

I'm just a home inspector, my background is structural engineering, I'm not a HVAC specialist, but even I know how to do a flame distortion ("blow out") test. I'm shocked the previous guy passed this furnace. Great video. Sorry to the homeowner, but the furnace obviously looks to be near, at, or beyond life expectancy so I'm sure she had an inkling that the time for a new furnace was soon coming.

[@atenebruso]

Maybe the guy ran out of duct tape so he was forced to use electrical tape. Lol

[@stevenlavimoniere]

atenebruso scary stuff

[@glen7228]

WTF was going on with the return, is that how they do it out east?

[@efman2k3]

It's unbelievable what some people will do. Good thing you care!

[@stevenlavimoniere]

efman2k3 thanks for the comment

[@michael1l1]

Customer definitely made the right choice in getting a second opinion, that's for sure

[@stevenlavimoniere]

Michael Milburn i am doing a replacement today on that unit

[@CommonSenseFishing209]

Need to have the door closed when doing that test lol but atleast you did put the door on to verify it wasnt screwing with the flame. Good video. What kind of hack plugs off orifices. I've seen that done on commercial units with a nut and it worked fine but I wouldn't try it

[@ericepps3583]

not even giving her the option to replace the heat exchanger?

[@rskalisky]

3:45 pay attention

[@ericepps3583]

At 3:45 he specifically says no he cannot replace the heat exchanger due to the vintage model. Which is total BS. That heat exchanger is totally available from TRANE. She even asks him again if he means fixing or replacing the heat exchanger and he again says no, he will get her a price on replacement of the furnace...so therefore he did not even give her the option to replace the heat exchanger. Put down your potatoes and PAY ATTENTION.

[@ericepps3583]

Watch from 3:45 thru 4:05 and you’ll get the whole conversation. Remember to pay attention!

[@rskalisky]

@@ericepps3583 Calm down baby girl, its okay.

[@MrAlittle5150]

@@rskalisky To replace just a heat exchanger, wouldn't that be about the same cost as a new furnace?

[@davidvandegaer750]

Is it advisable to have the blower door on when you are checking for rollout? So as not to affect the airflow in the area...

[@thomasjohnston9235]

Please invest in a carbon monoxide tester, check Co output on the spent flue gasses, will tell u EVERYTHING, pull the high limit and see the crack,and don't need a new furnace, just new heat exchanger

[@crand20033]

Well, since it's all rusty like that I would not expect it operate well at all. That rust is creating serious problems which will lead to this customer needing a new furnace within every few years of buying one.

[@MyGoogleYoutube]

Why not also check to see if there is CO in the output? Couldn't the HE be cracked but no CO in the output?

[@sunnyd6019]

Home inspectors are not qualified, they take a basic course. My home inspector was beyond a joke, missed more than a blind person. This furnace needs replacement.

[@Brad1237202]

You just saved their life!!! Probably some "half ass" that got a "mailbox grandfathered license", or bullshitted her and doesn't even have a license! Their certainly out there Steven!!!

[@stevenlavimoniere]

Brad1237202 this guy was a hack for sure drove around in a pickup truck .. not even a van . probley a handlyman

[@bluedogwv22]

good job steven you give hvac a good name and it shows

[@stevenlavimoniere]

ms air llc bill rosborough thanks for the good comment

[@crand20033]

The furnace is rusty. It probably got rusty because the condensation from the AC coil leaked down onto the furnace.

[@uxwbill]

Holy crap, that's scary as hell!

[@SteveSam66]

Steve, Good job. Looking forward to the install video

[@stevenlavimoniere]

S Sam i will get a video together ,am doing the job tomorrow

[@ZZZRSC]

What numbers for excess O2 and CO in the stack do you use to determine the HEX is defective in a 90% induced draft furnace?

[@garkmr6200]

That whole place is a death trap. Dozens of paint cans within feet of a decrepit furnace. Hope there's no children in that joint.

[@mrofnocnon]

Some guys misguidedly do this just to give the customer temporary heat but should have arranged return visit with the customer to replace the furnace as well.

[@waltradcliffe4482]

What was the hack trying to do with the putty & tape he wasn’t anywhere near the exchanger

[@eddymumford4086]

I going back to the beginning of this video 🤣🤣🤣 I still can't believe it putting tape on furnace 🙄🙄🙄

[@LmTeamWaxOffroad]

Change out baby...oh yeah! Good video thanks for sharing

[@stevenlavimoniere]

ClemonsHVAC its coming up soon

[@rcj509]

He's gonna kill someone! It's good that you went and show'd her what was happening so she could understand everything

[@stevenlavimoniere]

Rob Johnson yes i always like to explain things to my customers so we are on the same page ..

[@alexislopez9017]

What a tool this guy is. I wonder if he told the lady the first guy was right fro trying to save her life. This is not what a crack looks like, cracks are bad enough! This is what happens there are complete holes rotted through, which is obviously even worst. This lady probably should’ve listened to the tech who told he it needed to be replaced 5 years ago!

[@clockbuilderhg]

Man, hack job is right! This is probably a newbie question but what is "roll out"? I've heard that before in your in your videos. Thanks Steve!

[@stevenlavimoniere]

Josiah Hanna roll out is when the flame rolls out from burner tubes ,heance roll out ///out side or where is should be and burnes the unit up

[@kyleh1974]

Who needs return air anyway? Wonder why it cracked...

[@ryans413]

Man so the other guy saw it so he blocked it with putty and electrical tape nice guy.

[@oSTYNCLSYo]

So a cracked heat exchanger is the only reason you get rollout? Doesn't seem right to me.

[@oldtimehomestead1554]

That's crazy that guy needs to be stopped. It's a wonder he hasn't blown someone up.

[@Kianypour]

Why would you block the jets in the first place?

[@murnise]

Awesome work Steven!

[@stevenlavimoniere]

Mike Urnise thanks mike

[@HANDYMANDAN51]

This guy should be stopped from doing this kind of hack. Good find, Steve

[@stevenlavimoniere]

Dan Dowker hack and crazy for sure

[@kylebuehlman4207]

Totally a nightmare for me same thing happen to my furnace had to get another one

[@eagletek1]

was the furnace to old to change heat exchanger?

[@HighVoltageMadness]

yes

[@winkhvac62]

That person is going to kill somebody.

[@davidbaiker4670]

You could tell 45 seconds into this video that the "only solution" was going to be to replace the furnace. "Roll out" always means the heat exchanger is cracked and the furnace needs replaced. See how the flame changes with or without air that proves it.

[@stevenlavimoniere]

+David Baiker yes i replaced the furnace a few days later

[@ATeamAdam]

David Baiker rollout can also be lack of combustion air.

[@jedimormon7138]

WAS CLEANING OUT MY BRYANT 80 PLUS AND FOUND WHAT LOOKS LIKE BIG CARB JET??? BOTTOM OF BIG FAN AREA

[@dcrickerson9775]

Nice find. Where did she get this guy with the tape?

[@stevenlavimoniere]

DC Rickerson not sure ..

[@arniegrote319]

Sorry Sreve, I am glad this guy doesn't live near me. What was this guy thinking, O if tape the orifices this cust can run the furnace, Talk about stupid, Thank God she got a second opinion.

[@stevenlavimoniere]

Arnie Grote i changed out the furnace today

[@arniegrote319]

Cool, she will safe and warm. Hope to see a vid on it. Keep up the good Work.

[@JamesSmith-rl7nb]

I know you know to put door on to eliminate false roll out

[@DanielRivera-sn7is]

Great Video, thanks for sharing.

[@jasontheplumber3684]

I have that same furnace minus the electrical tape

[@stevenlavimoniere]

Jason the Plumber lol

[@jasontheplumber3684]

steven lavimoniere was that a Trane XE 80?

[@eddymumford4086]

I felt her pain 😭

[@Joelhomecomfort]

I've seen some pretty stupid stuff, but this is the first time I've seen tape covering a burner orifice. That guy must've been on drugs or something. Nice video.

[@stevenlavimoniere]

Joelhomecomfort first time i seen it also

[@iliketranes1412]

DIY, it's a dangerous thing... because patching a jet does not stop the carbon monoxide, and anyone who understands the workings of a gas furnace would know that. Good work steve

[@johnschober1819]

I can't afford 😫 a new furnace.

[@larsturner310]

can a dirty orifice cause roll-out?

[@stevenlavimoniere]

+Lars Turner probley not to likely .i would have to see the job .before making a determination

[@jdub7771]

Lars Turner I've personally never seen dirty orifice cause rollout. Almost always see rollout from bad inducer motor, or bad heat exchanger. When I have an orifice with a blockage it's a small staggered flame without enough pressure or no flame.

[@gadgethunter5732]

the only time I've encountered problems with a dirty orifice is on single burner furnace, like a Coleman mid that would be in a manufactured home. The orifice is larger because it's a single, spiders move in and spin a web in orifice. Then furnace output is too low, and it won't heat the house properly. But even though the output is too low, the furnace was always still running in a safe manner. On multi burner furnaces, the spiders spin webs in the in shot burner tube. That can lead to a fire. The gas leaves the orifice, bounces off the web, goes back towards manifold and catches fire. The unit I saw that did that was a York package unit. Outside near a lake with lots of spiders around. And the multi burners laid out in a vertical fashion. The fire burnt through the primary power wire insulation. That caused a short. The breaker tripped, and gas valve closed. WHEW!!!!

[@MikeL-vu7jo]

I don't think the guy with the tape is smart enough to get a job pushing shopping carts

[@donnierobertson3088]

Great job and video

[@erock1515]

I seen the flames rolling out 3 to 5 times before the fan ever came on. Why did you let it run that long pumping CO into the house

[@jks6172]

some hacs out their thanks your straight shooter

[@cjordanjordan956]

We have a kracked heat exchanger

[@cjordanjordan956]

And the inspector sead it cold be blowingcarbon dioxide in our house

[@eddymumford4086]

tap 🙄 I have never seen that before 🤣 but for real very stupid and very dangerous 🤔

[@YourUnclePlumbing]

Thats crazy !!!

[@stevenlavimoniere]

Your Uncle Plumbing crazy is what i do every day

[@YourUnclePlumbing]

steven lavimoniere plumber's job is to protect health and safety of nation the guy who did that or leaves it like that needs to be lock up !!! still can not believe he is working in people homes {good thing they called you keep up good work thanx for you sharing

[@mikeb1617]

What was the co level in the home?

[@abutts02]

The person who did the taping shouldn’t be licensed period

[@dieselhater]

scary

[@stevenlavimoniere]

Al Gregory very scary

[@SFBay69]

@@stevenlavimoniere Not as scary as sleeping pills all over the fucking floor

[@michaelatkinson4434]

Why the FUCK would you block those ports?!?

[@jackjohnson3220]

So you came up with the same diagnosis as the first guy, but you disagree with the way he blocked off the bad sections of heat exchanger, which he obviously did so the woman would have heat on a frigid new york winter night (i assume with the accent). I never trust guys who make it a point to slam other guys work.

[@uncleruss4101]

The problem is that blocking the jets and running it anyway was leaving the home owner in danger. Even if the jets are blocked, Carbon Monoxide can still leak out of the exchanger. That unit needs to be replaced not patched and left running to endanger a family.

[@polishtheturdmickelson5473]

Jack, Steve works in Mass. Not, NYC. That was hack work next level before he arrived. No HVAC tech should ever do that kind of work. Steve was the last one there, major liability issues leaving a furnace running in that condition. Carbon Monoxide kills. He leaves it running and the people living their die of carbon monoxide poisoning. Their family sue him, ruin his career and more importantly he has to live with the guilt of killing a people.

[@time1800]

Jack Johnson please let us all know were you work so we know not to call you!

[@iliketranes1412]

The nerve of some people, Steve helped that family, because just patching a jet does not stop the carbon monoxide

[@DONALD1951]

The tape can and will fall off. Even if he plugged the burner that would be better.

[@majormitchell8202]

So the other guy was right

[@bashirmohamed7982]

omg

[@stevenlavimoniere]

+brad alhadri yea a bit crazy

[@carlw2832]

Wrong spelling on the video. opinion not oppion.

[@chowderchops]

J B weld lol

[@stevenlavimoniere]

Chowdy Chopz looked like electrical putty and black tape

[@JamesSmith-rl7nb]

DONT SCREAM GET A RHEEM( RUUD) HACKS BLOCKING JETS... GOOD WAY TO CAUSE A EXPLOSION