[88rxn/a]

I have an older new England pellet stove as back up in my basement for colder days. I somehow got a leak in it as I smell smoke when I open the basement door.
I tried unplugging it and blocking the inlet with a rag track the leak.
However, both times I have done this I found no leaks. I did not block the chimney for it though.
I was wondering if anyone had any other tricks on how to find the leak?

 

[jmon]

Try turning the lights off and make the room as dark as possible and use a flashlight with fresh batteries to try and find the exhaust leak.

Check the pipe connection to the back of the stove and the elbows if you have any, really good, as they are the most likely spots where it could be leaking. Just a suggestion.

Check all seals, especially around the door.

 

[jmon]

How old is the pellet stove? It's not likely, but sometimes they can also develop small cracks/holes in the heat exchanger which can spill out exhaust into the room from the air circulator.

Hope you find the leak soon 88 and get it corrected. If you can't find it, you can go to the manufactures website and find the closest tech in your area that services that model.

If you do find the source of the leak, use the proper pipe if needed and high temperature silicone rated for pellet stoves.

Btw, always make sure you have a good working co detector.

 

[88rxn/a]

Thanks jmon. It's an 2000 model. I have a co detector in the basement and room directly above it.
I will try with the lights out next tomorrow night.
I do have the chimney for the stove siliconed pretty well in all the bends along with tape on the connections but it's been on for fora few years. Very well could be dried out.
I tried replacing the exhaust fan gasket and glass gasket with no luck. I was hoping one of the two were the problem but i guess i was wrong.
Thanks for the idea.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[jlhaslip]

When is the last time you cleaned the chimney?

 

[88rxn/a]

I cleaned the bottom elbow the other day when I changed the gasket, the rest of the chimney hasn't been touched in a few years (maybe 5?).

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[jmon]

I cleaned the bottom elbow the other day when I changed the gasket, the rest of the chimney hasn't been touched in a few years (maybe 5?).

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Agree with jl. I would start there. Pellet stove chimney pipes should be cleaned after one ton of pellets have been burnt or at least at the end of the heating season. 5 years or so is too long.

 

[88rxn/a]

ok, so i know its been a long time but after the heating season i put the stove on the back burner.
after cleaning out the chimney really well i fired this pellet stove back up. the problem still exist. i tried the flashlight at night and found 2 leaks. the glass for the door leaks and the exhaust shaft for the propeller was leaking too.
i fired up the stove and then unplugged it, i clogged the exhaust with a rag and found these leaks.
the strange part is, is that i thought i was smelling the leak from the back where the exhaust motor is?
i am going to the hardware store to buy new rope to fix the leak on the door glass. i don't know what to do about the propeller shaft? the motor is only a couple years old?

 

[supers05]

ok, so i know its been a long time but after the heating season i put the stove on the back burner.
after cleaning out the chimney really well i fired this pellet stove back up. the problem still exist. i tried the flashlight at night and found 2 leaks. the glass for the door leaks and the exhaust shaft for the propeller was leaking too.
i fired up the stove and then unplugged it, i clogged the exhaust with a rag and found these leaks.
the strange part is, is that i thought i was smelling the leak from the back where the exhaust motor is?
i am going to the hardware store to buy new rope to fix the leak on the door glass. i don't know what to do about the propeller shaft? the motor is only a couple years old?

Let the bearings and shaft get hot before condemning it.

Cheers!