Lennox Furnace drain issue

Hi, I purchased a new high effiency Lennox G61V furnace a year ago, and have had problems ever since. After numerous visits from the installer, we've finally determined that water from the cold header box (which sit directly behind the combustion inducer fan), does not drain out until the furnace shuts down. So, basically if it is cold outside and the furnace runs for several hours straight, that water continues to build up and gets into the inducer fan, which cause all kinds of problems, and the furnace shuts down.

The service people I've used have called lennox, but can not figure out why the water would not drain out until the furnace winds down or is shut off.

Has anyone run into this issue before? I'm a good $1000 in on maintenance fees right now and I'm not sure what to do at this point. thanks, Joe

Reply to
jkennedy1
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Was it the lowest price?? Seems that one of the first things they cut corners on is not putting a proper trap in the drain line. There is a reason for the trap being there....looks like you found out about it the hard way.

Reply to
Noon-Air

The trap is incorporated into the furnace at the factory. He is not talking about the trap on the a coil. Which BTW isn't needed on a up flow furnace you dolt.

Reply to
The King

Having never worked on that particular model, I'll take you word for it... Either way, from the symptoms, there are issues with the trap either being partially blocked or not being deep enough.

Now....as far as a trap on an upflow coil, Rheem/RUUD *REQUIRES* that there be a trap that a minimum of 6 inches below the coil pan, and the trap must be a minimum of 3 inches deep. There is a reason the factory puts notes in the installation instructions and puts a sticker on the coil and/or coil casing that gives the dimentions of the required trap. I have seen the same trap requirements for Carrier and Trane. Not only do they give the dimentions, but they also include pictures...*just* for you.

Reply to
Steve

Find someone who's competent?

Reply to
KJPRO

Please post a photo that shows his G61V with an internal trap...

Reply to
KJPRO

Well I'll run right over to his house and take a picture of it.

Reply to
The King

I agree that it sounds like a trap problem or possibly a venting issue with the pitch of the pipe. Its not a field fabricated trap. Like all 90 plus furnaces, the trap comes with the furnace.

I don't know why they would make it a requirement since it has nothing to do with condensate drainage on an up flow.

Blow thru coils don't need a trap to drain properly. Pull thru coils do.

Reply to
The King

I didn't write the installation instructions.... but I do actually *READ* them, and follow them. So far, I have never seen installation instructions that said that traps were only for "pull through coils". Maybe you could show me where installation instructions say that traps are only required for "blow through" evap coils?? or maybe give me a code site??

Reply to
Steve

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No, it wasn't the lowest bid I received, and in fact, a relative used the same company a few year earlier and has not had any problems. That said, I do think that company is clueless about the actuallworkings of a furnance, they were more focused on an installation.

Reply to
jkennedy1

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I will send pictures, but this group only allows pictures via normal email. I will send pictures with the same subject header. thanks. joe.

Reply to
jkennedy1

It doesn't have anything to do with codes or installation instructions. It has to do with the static pressure across the coil and drain pan. As you full well know, or should know, when a blower is downstream (pull thru) of the evap coil it wont drain until the blower shuts off. When the blower is upstream of the coil it will drain just fine regardless of if its trapped or not.

So why do they want a trap on an up flow? I suspect its just over kill.

Reply to
The King

om...

Alright, since this is a Usenet group, I can't email or load photos (thanks google). King, can I just emial you a picture of the front of the furance so you can see if anything look incorrect? Also can you explain your comment above further (I am rookie on this stuff right now). I have an upflow furnace, the exhaust pipe is above the blower. So I agree with you, why do I even need a trap, I don't see how any fumes would go anywhere but up. thx.

Reply to
jkennedy1

Were talking two different traps. One for the A/C condensate and the one for the furnace condensate. You need the trap for the furnace condensate. Make sure the trap is clean, make sure the exhaust is pitched back towards the furnace 1/4 inch per liner foot with no sags, make sure there are no kinks in any drain lines, make sure there are no blockages in any drain lines inside and outside of the furnace.

Reply to
The King

Is the furnace level?

The K> >

Reply to
Patriot

I guess those Union guys don't know that manufacturers listing preempt all other Codes etc.

Reply to
Don Ocean

If his wife is cute, get a picture of her too.. In good taste, of course.

Reply to
Don Ocean

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Usually the furnace companies hold a class on each of their new systems. Sadly many Techs neglect to attend them.

Reply to
Don Ocean

s.com...

I see. this situation does not seem to be a problem with the exhaust condensation/ drainage, and I have check the 1/4 inch decline on the pipe. The cold header box behind the inducer fan does not drain (although I can hear water in there) until the furnace shuts down.

Reply to
jkennedy1

Sorry but there is a problem with the exhaust condensate drainage.

Wheres the pics?

Reply to
The King

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