How to Determine If Your Furnace Combustion Chamber Is Cracked

Cracks in your furnace’s combustion chamber can be deadly. The combustion chamber houses the burner, which produces toxic gases. The chamber sits next to a heat exchanger, which transfers heat but not gases. Over time, cracks can form, allowing toxic gases to escape. The only way to ensure your furnace is operating efficiently and safely is to hire a qualified furnace technician. But you can monitor the furnace for problems by looking for signs of wear.

Flashlight
Carbon-monoxide detector

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off the furnace and open it for inspection, using your furnace’s manual as a guide.
- 2
  Look for cracks or rust spots in the metal walls of the combustion chamber and heat exchanger, using a flashlight if necessary. Also, look for sooty discoloration, which might appear if combustion byproducts are passing through barely visible cracks. You might need a mirror to see inaccessible areas.
- 3
  Install a carbon-monoxide detector nearby, even if you see no cracks. Metal expands when heated, meaning cracks can widen when the furnace is on. A carbon-monoxide detector will help ensure that no cracks are appearing when the metal is heated during typical operation.
- 4
  Return the furnace to operating condition and monitor its performance. If you can see the flame on your furnace, ensure it's steady when the fan turns on. If it wavers, there might be a hole affecting the air pressure nearby. Another sign of a leak is rapid cycling on and off, although other factors can cause this as well, according to “Principles of Home Inspection: Systems and Standards,” by Carson Dunlop.

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