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HOW TO: Service your furnace


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Actually you can't do a whole lot without taking it completely out. You can look inside the two outside holes to make sure they are not blocked, and to look for soot, which is a sign of distress (or high altitude use). You can however get to the ignitor, and view the burner flame from inside the trailer.

 

The manual recommends an annual check of the flame to make sure it is OK. Here is how you can do that. It will take about 30 minutes.

 

Remove the rear top access panel under the mattress, on the curb side, and also remove the air return grill, (two screws). If you have a work light, drop it down in the hole so you can see.

 

CAUTION: the screws to be removed are stainless steel and non-magnetic. If you drop one it may disappear forever under a pipe or duct.Be prepared to find a replacement. I did not drop any...but it was a close call a couple of times.

 

Remove the front screw of the furnace cover, easy:

 

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The second screw is hard to reach, it is on the other side inline with the first one. I used a stubby to get it out:

 

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Remove the sheet metal cover. Here it is with a bunch of instructions, on BOTH sides:

 

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I don't know the purpose of putting the operating instructions INSIDE the furnace. The bottom of the fiberglass cover would be a more logical location....!

 

This is what is inside the opening, it's an air plenum of sorts to distribute air from the fan, which you cannot see. The silver plate holds the ignitor, which you could easily change in a few minutes, and it has a small clear window for viewing the hot stuff inside the burner can. I don't know exactly what would be accessible if you removed that plate.

 

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Notice that Oliver puts foam insulation on the water pipes below the sharp edges of the furnace housing. Bravo... The area is very hard to see directly!!!  I used my phone to take pictures so I could see what was there, and I used a 2 inch round mechanic's mirror to watch the flame. Here it is with the furnace running, with a camera flash:

 

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And this is sort-of what it looks like, no flash. With your bare eyes it is easy enough to see the flame.

 

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The flame should be blue and stable, no yellow or flickering:

 

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If the flame looks good, put the cover back on and write down the info for future reference:

 

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If the flame doesn't look as it is supposed to, there is a problem and the furnace will have to be removed and checked by a professional. While you are at it, visually inspect around the furnace to make sure the ducts and the gas connection and wires look OK.

 

John Davies

 

Spokane WA

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SOLD 07/23 "Mouse":  2017 Legacy Elite II Two Beds, Hull Number 218, See my HOW TO threads: https://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/john-e-davies-how-to-threads-and-tech-articles-links/

Tow Vehicle: 2013 Land Cruiser 200, 32” LT tires, airbags, Safari snorkel, Maggiolina Grand Tour 360 Carbon RTT.

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  • 3 months later...

A member posted this link to a most excellent furnace troubleshooting video.

 

 

If anybody actually removes the outer access panel on their Ollie, I would appreciate it if you posted pictures in this thread.

 

EDIT: More info, including how to remove the sail switch with pictures...

 

https://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/need-help-in-a-really-cool-place-but-no-heat/#post-148492

 

John Davies

 

Spokane WA

  • Like 1

SOLD 07/23 "Mouse":  2017 Legacy Elite II Two Beds, Hull Number 218, See my HOW TO threads: https://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/john-e-davies-how-to-threads-and-tech-articles-links/

Tow Vehicle: 2013 Land Cruiser 200, 32” LT tires, airbags, Safari snorkel, Maggiolina Grand Tour 360 Carbon RTT.

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