Can furnace gas valve solenoids be repaired/replaced?

[Mikepier]

I have a Trane XR80 gas furnace that started to act up recently. I narrowed down to the gas valve. It was getting 24V, but not opening. I lightly tapped it with a hammer, and it started working again.

Are these valves similiar to gas dryer valves? I had a problem with my dryer one time, and just replaced the solenoids, and was fixed. Can I do the same with a furnace gas valve? This is the gas valve on my furnace now:

There is a plastic cover on it which can be removed. If I remove it, will I find the solenoids?

[Stormin Mormon]

As a fairly new heating guy, I'd say no. I've never heard of anyone doing coils or solenoids on a furnace gas valve. I have (once) done solenoid coils on a gas dryer valve.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

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Are these valves similiar to gas dryer valves? I had a problem with my dryer one time, and just replaced the solenoids, and was fixed. Can I do the same with a furnace gas valve? This is the gas valve on my furnace now:

There is a plastic cover on it which can be removed. If I remove it, will I find the solenoids?

[bob haller]

solenoid valves like just about everthing else go bad. althought it may test OK contunity wise it may still not work.

[clare]

Where will you find the replacement solenoids if you can get to the old ones? What will they cost you?? I'd just buy the valve and be done with it, myself - and I'm a "cheap bugger"

[Vic Smith]

Same here. The valve itself may be sticking. With gas you don't want to take chances "modifying" anything.

--Vic

[HeyBub]

Similar thing happened to me.

Remove the whole gizmo from the gas line and take it to Grainger's. Say "gimme one like this". For somewhere in the neighborhood of $60, you'll be good to go.

Or, you can try disassembling the thing and see if you can deduce why the solenoid won't latch. It may be something as simple as a dose of WD-40, oil, or rust removal and cleaning.

[The Daring Dufas]

I have repaired bad solder joints on the little circuit boards on gas valves but the solenoids I've seen in the defective valves could possibly be replaced if new ones were available but because of liability concerns, I doubt that any repair company would want to do it. You may find a simple bad connection but if there is scoring or any mechanical damage to the valve, you'd be much safer replacing the valve.

TDD

[trader4]

I'm with you on this one. Especially considering they don't cost much and given the possible implications if you don't get it right.

[Stormin Mormon]

He does open the interesting question, why they sell replacement solenoid coils for gas dryer valves, but not for furnace valves?

The OP has a Trane, which opens interesting questions. I've found that often Trane parts don't interchange with other brands, so that may be a concern.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

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I have repaired bad solder joints on the little circuit boards on gas valves but the solenoids I've seen in the defective valves could possibly be replaced if new ones were available but because of liability concerns, I doubt that any repair company would want to do it. You may find a simple bad connection but if there is scoring or any mechanical damage to the valve, you'd be much safer replacing the valve.

TDD

[The Daring Dufas]

Trane and American Standard are sort of like Chevy and GMC. I believe it's the same overall corporation. Trane is a division of American Standard Companies. I do believe many parts will interchange. I have an acquaintance who is an American Standard dealer and was friends with my late friend GB. I'd have to ask him for sure about the number of parts that interchange. I've serviced more Trane systems than American Standard units but they're well made and cost a lot more than the less expensive contractor/builder grade systems.

TDD

[clare]

But Trane doesn't make the gas valve anyway. And it's not proprietary in any way, from what I know.

[Stormin Mormon]

Lets hope you're right. I don't trust Trane to make easily serviced products.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

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But Trane doesn't make the gas valve anyway. And it's not proprietary in any way, from what I know.

[Mikepier]

Thanks for everyones input.

The valve is actually a White Rodgers, and ironically the only place in my area that has one in stock is the Trane parts warehouse about

1/2 hour where I live, and pretty reasonable at $65. So I might just get it , along with an igniter as a backup, just to give me piece of mind if the valve decides to crap out altogether. With the holiday weekend coming, and cold temps on the way, the last thing I need to do is scramble around finding parts.

[Mikepier]

Just wanted to update, I went to the Trane warehouse yesterday and got my new valve, along with an adaptor kit, which is just an extension nipple because the new valve is shorter than old one, so this nipple makes up the difference so i can use the existing gas piping. Also picked up a new ignitor as a backup. Total out the door was $127

So I'll be replacing it when I get home today. Good thing because this morning the valve acted up again and was sticking, but I got it working for now.

[Stormin Mormon]

If a person has the skills to do this safely, it can sure be a good experience. And a money saver. I wish you all the best. I exepct that you'll do fine. Just remembe to degauss the coil if you install the valve upside down. I know, I'll catch hell from the pros for giving away the secrets.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

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So I'll be replacing it when I get home today. Good thing because this morning the valve acted up again and was sticking, but I got it working for now.

[DerbyDad03]

When the gas valve on my old Perfection furnace went bad, I had to get a sealed unit like you one you bought.

That was good from a purely safety perspective but it a took away an advantage that the old one had.

In the owner's manual for the furnace were the instructions on how to open the valve manually in the event of a power failure. You could lift a tab on the valve and lock it in the open position to turn on the gas. Because there was no blower, the suggested duty cycle was something like 10 mins on/30 minutes off.

However, since it was totally up to the user to control the duty cycle, it wasn't the safest convenience ever invented. I actually used it once during a power outage, but was never very comfortable with the practice. I shortened the On time just be safe.

I replaced the valve mid-winter. The following year we had an ice storm that took the power out for 4 days. How I longed for that "dangerous convenience" during those 4 days.

[Vince]

replying to clare, Vince wrote: For my gas fieplace it's 500$ + so finding a cheaper alternative would be nice.

[clare]

You DO realize that was SIX YEARS AGO?????????? Nothing has changed. Suck it up buttercup!

[nativekenniwick]

Empire carries every single part down the threads if you like. As long as you get the right piece, its like rebuilding a carburetor. Some people just don't want to do it, but they're selling these parts to someone.

[Ed Pawlowski]

Choose the wrong part and it won't work and is a potential for danger. Gave valves and operators are not a good place to practice repairs if you don't know what you are doing.