Is this a gas "leak"?

[Joe D. Funderburk]

This is the first time I've ever even tested for a gas leak in this area of a furnace. Got a definite positive reading here but I'm not sure if it should be classified as a leak, as it is near what I'd call the jets. The furnace was not running during this test.

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[Joe D. Funderburk]

Anybody know the answer? You get a free prize!

[Gary Reecher]

Writeup for HVAC contractor. There will be some presence of gas present at the burner orifices when the gas valve shuts down and will take time to dissipate. Honeywell had an article about this an the correct method of testing is a device called a bubbleometer.

[Joe D. Funderburk]

Thanks Gary!

P.S. You are the winner of a free chicken fried steak plate at Eddie's Restaurant in Hickory Grove, SC!

[Paul E. King]

Lots of questions are needed. Had the furnace been recently run? How large of a leak did it detect, the detector can pick up small amounts of residue. Have you ever tried sticking the probe in the fire (haha)? Did you know that your detector can identify a cracked heat exchanger?

[Robert E. Elliott]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

This is the first time I've ever even tested for a gas leak in this area of a furnace. Got a definite positive reading here but I'm not sure if it should be classified as a leak, as it is near what I'd call the jets. The furnace was not running during this test.

Attachment 25255

Did you smell gas?

I never use mine unless I need to narrow down what I suspect.

Those things are so darn sensitive they think pipe dope is gas.

That being said the Tiff has helped me save a few lives ,I am sure.

[David A. Andersen]

No.

Unless you have more information to add about sniffer reactions in other locations...

The header is not purged at shutdown.
There is gas in there. There is no way for it to get out.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by dandersen

No.

Unless you have more information to add about sniffer reactions in other locations...

The header is not purged at shutdown.
There is gas in there. There is no way for it to get out.

What David said.

[Joe D. Funderburk]

Thanks for all the feedback. I didn't write it up. Too many unanswered questions. Referred it to an HVAC guy for other issues, however.

Paul, enlighten me. How can a sniffer detect a cracked heat exchanger?

[Kenneth Lott]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

Thanks Gary!

P.S. You are the winner of a free chicken fried steak plate at Eddie's Restaurant in Hickory Grove, SC!

Oh no... those cooking Chickens are as far South as S.C. now?

[Gary Reecher]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

Thanks for all the feedback. I didn't write it up. Too many unanswered questions. Referred it to an HVAC guy for other issues, however.

Paul, enlighten me. How can a sniffer detect a cracked heat exchanger?

Using AGA approved mathane/nitrogen gas injection test method for one.

[Ben J. Gromicko]

We rip open a 12 year old gas-fired furnace, pull out the exchanger, and find a crack.

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[Ben J. Gromicko]

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