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Major problem with Hurricane Furnace.

Yahoo Message Number: 112526
Just bought a 01 Integrity with 61K. (Wish the previous owners had some of that integrity, but I transgress) (PS.They don't remember anything of this situation. Right!)

After doing a lot a cleanup, time to test the furnace. Nothing, zip, nada. After driving it with the furnace "on" calling for heat, the water lines to the system were cold, indicating to me no hot engine coolant was going through the system. (The Hurricane unit was "off" and the heat exchanges were on. ) When I tried to ran the Hurricane, the only thing that ran was the water pump.

During my investigation, I removed the cover on the Hurricane furnace and it was in pieces. The air compressor pump's pipe was broken off. (Can't just be the broken plastic part on the pump) $450.00. I also read if you run the system dry you need to replace the water pump.... $?. So a problem with the furnace. But still, the system should work with engine heat alone.

Looking through the previous repairs records, I found a hand written note with "RV Furnace" "water Jacket" Parts $782, Installation $12,000. What I'm thinking is the water jacket on the engine failed and instead of fixing it, they bypassed the system.

So after this great tail of woe. Anybody provide any guidance in where to go from here.

1. With a labor rate that high, it sounds to me like you have to drop the engine to replace the "water jacket". If not that, what would cost that much labor hours to fix this problem. Maybe a major disassembly of the motor?

2. If that's the problem, can it be replace with the eng in place.

3. I was wondering. Can I make the Hurricane a separate system. It would not use engine heat during travel, but I don't intend to use it in very cold weather. And if it did need heat, it should turn on and provided what's needed. Will cost fuel but should work. What I need is to find a place to mount a water tank. I understand this is how it was done prior to being tied into the engine coolant system.

4. Maybe be time is invest in some small heater.

5 Thoughts recommendations

Thanks in advance

Frank

Re: Major problem with Hurricane Furnace.

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 112528
I highly doubt you have to do anything with the engine. I'm not familiar with the Hurricanes but with a Hydro Hot or with a basic Webasto system, the engine coolant goes directly to the boiler and heats the water in the boiler instead of the diesel burner heating the water. Like a heat exchanger or in your case "water jacket". On a basic Webasto system the engine coolant and the hydronic heat coolant are one and the same; intermixed.

It's possible that the heat exchanger (water jacket) in the Hurricane has failed and was intermixing engine coolant with domestic hot water. Therefore they may have bypassed it which is why you feel cold pipes. Either way you might be looking at some Hurricane parts; not engine parts.

Just my .02 worth.
Fred

Re: Major problem with Hurricane Furnace.

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 112529
Agreed, if it was engine water jacket the engine would be toast.

Still not sure why the labor estimate was so high though.

Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S® 5, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

Re: Major problem with Hurricane Furnace.

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 112530
If there was engine coolent going into the water heater, it seems to me the solution would be to bypass the water heater and not the whole system. For some reason, the engine to hydroponics system was deactivated. Why, that is the question.

Re: Major problem with Hurricane Furnace.

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 112532
Theses are the people that made the furnace Frank.
http://itrheat.com/products/marin-heating-systems/

5305 NE 121st Ave, Suite 401 Vancouver, WA 98682

Telephone: (360) 993-4877

They offer a rebuilt unit for about 2,800. You can send them yours and they will go through it make new again.

Vince
02 Intrigue # 11332

from my iPhone

Re: Major problem with Hurricane Furnace.

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 112533
That is what the system is a water heater. It uses hot water for your room heat and to heat water for hot water system.

Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S® 5, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

Re: Major problem with Hurricane Furnace.

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 112534
Vince I might try that after I find out why the engine is not heating the system. It should when the hurricane heater in off or inoperative. Somebody did something to take the system "off line" for some reason. Once I fix that problem, I'll tackle the heater itself. Otherwise I'm putting the cart before the horse.

Re: Major problem with Hurricane Furnace.

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 112535
Are there any stuck check valves in this type of hot water system that a wack with a hammer might free up.

Herb
CCO Group Moderator

Re: Major problem with Hurricane Furnace.

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 112536
I tried to stick my head into the engine compartment to see where the water lines from the heater went into the engine (They are a unique color) but I could not see them. Also a light cover of road dirt and oil on everything. Will have to crawl under the motor area and see if I can trace it that way. That stuff is easy to do for a young man, Hard on us "old guys". LOL

(In that vain, climbing the ladder five or six times a day while working on the roof was a real treat.)

Frank

Re: Major problem with Hurricane Furnace.

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 112548
Think of it this way Frank the work on the roof got rid of the need for a stair step machine to keep your heart in shape!

Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S® 5, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

Re: Major problem with Hurricane Furnace.

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 112553
Frank,

I have 2002 Intrigue (I assume yours is an Intrigue, also. If not, let me know so I can shut up). I have dealt with my Hurricane since new.

I would suggest that you call Kevin Waite, 541-953-6162. He can set you on the right path. If you need some more info from someone with little expertise but lots of experience, send me a private message and we can talk.

Dick May
2002 Intrigue, #11438

(When posting on this group, It is helpful to show year, model and serial number.)
Dick May
2002 Intrigue, #11438, towing a
2014 Jeep Gr Cherokee ecoDiesel