Furnace Suburban NT30S blower died

[RuneM46]

During our test trip to Luray, Va our furnace started squeling and squeeking and afer a while died completely. Not much fun in 15F outside temp.
Has anyone taken the furnace apart and replaced the blower (plus motor)? Is it a DIY job or will my local RV-shop have the pleasure of my visit? The furnace is not accesdible from outside.
Advice are welcome.
Thanks.


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[dbj216]

Uh oh, not fun in this cold. You're going to have to take the furnace out to repair or replace. It comes out from the inside. I purchased a new one last year at $650 or so. If you replace the blower motor, then next month the gas valve will quit, or the circuit board if yours has one. It has to come out for analysis and possible repair. Maybe your furnace has been replaced once already. 30 years is good life out of this appliance.

Furnace replacement is pretty straight forward. Any good RV tech can get the job done. Check your Dex Knows for a Suburban dealer near you and make an appointment. Maybe $1000 including labor and overhead. In the mean time, stay warm!

David

[AirHeadsRus]

I replaced the fan motor on a NT 30 a few years back. It was not hard to do once i got it out. Never had any more trouble with it. Mine was in a 1990 29 Excella.
I might would have replaced the whole unit but could not find one that matched the exhaust tube.

[RuneM46]

My Suburban NT-30SP (What I thought) turned out to be a Suburban NT-35K was taken to the ER (read: RV shop) today. It has loose things inside (rattles when I shake it). Am afraid there are some obstruction in the blower assy. Suspect PO did a replacement in the past. The process of removing the unit was quite simple, 2 screws into the floor, 4 flex tubingd removed and disconnected 4 wires. Hope the reverse process is as easy.

[TouringDan]

What does the rv tech say about the age of the furnace? I would lean toward replacement rather than repair if it is over 20 years old. There is a chance that the heat exchanger might be cracked or have a hole it it, thus leaking carbon monoxide. I guess I am a risk taker, but not with co. I just ordered a new furnace for my Tradewind yesterday. Cost was just under $500.

I would think the hardest connection to make would be the gas line, especially if it needs to be rerouted.

Good luck, Dan

[RuneM46]

TouringDan: I assume the NT-35K is a replacement, since all my manuals says NT-30SP. WHEN IT WAS REPLACED - I have no idea. Guess my RV-shop will let me know, since they're going to bench test when repaired


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[TouringDan]

Make sure you both look for cracks or holes in the heat exchanger.

Dan

[dbj216]

Amen to that! And make sure your CO alarm is working. Let us know what the diagnosis is and the repairs made. It will make me a tad smarter. Not much, just a tad.

David

[RuneM46]

David: I'm just as curious as you. And yes, will post their findings as soon as I know. Already expanded my knowledge about AS's in general - looking forward to know more.


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[RuneM46]

David: Just got a phone from the RV shop saying that the (Blower)Motor was bad and replacement wasn´t available. Offered a replacement Furnace for $825 (installed provided the measurements were the same)
Am pretty sure I saw a new BlowerMotor advertised for less than $100.
Also, I´ve seen Suburban NT-30 $450 - $550. I´ll look into that, unless there are somebody that has replacement parts for less.

Thnx

RuneM

[dbj216]

Hi runeM46, It appears the RV shop is being a good business. You need heat and they know it. The install by an experienced RV tech in a tight Airstream would take me a day, and would take them maybe 3 hours. So $500 furnace and $300 labor and you get to $800 installed pretty fast.

We mentioned earlier these furnaces don't last forever. If you plan on relying on your furnace while using your Airstream, then I recommend a new one. If you are going to sell your Airstream in the new future, then I recommend finding the motor to get the furnace running (safely).

I think you took the furnace out. So I think you could install a new one and pay yourself $300. Then you don't have to worry about rusted heat exchangers, stuck gas valves, finicky circuit boards, and sail switches than don't sail.

Order a new furnace on line like I did, and have fun installing it when the weather improves. The installation instructions come in the box.

David

[RuneM46]

Hi y´all:
Just got an E-mail from Airxel regarding my NT-35K. Apparently this model is no longer in production and replacement parts are no longer available. They recommended switching to an SF-35Q.
Question: Anybody here with experience from this newer model? Does it fit in the old space and does ductwork and Exhaust and Air intake fit the old layout?
Hate to buy this and then discover that I´ll have to make modifications to the wall for the Exhaust and Air intake, not to mention there are 5 ducts in the old one (guess I can make them fit). Any comments here?

Thnx

[Aage]

This appears to be the NT-30 motor. Not saying you won't be back to the trough for more parts soon afterwards tho...

The furnace you showed in the post before this one has (I believe) a different form factor than your NT-30, so be really sure it will fit in where your old one came out from before purchasing.

[RuneM46]

Originally Posted by Aage

This appears to be the NT-30 motor. Not saying you won't be back to the trough for more parts soon afterwards tho...

The furnace you showed in the post before this one has (I believe) a different form factor than your NT-30, so be really sure it will fit in where your old one came out from before purchasing.

Aage: you're correct - the old NT-35K has a bad motor, and replacement can't be found. Am afraid the SF-35Q won't fit, hence my inquiry. Don't want to buy something I can't use
Thnx


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[cwf]

Dunno.. curious to find out... our 1999 is running great... today... (Knock on aluminum, gently.....)

[RuneM46]

LOL CWJ - will drop post here in this matter

[Aage]

Originally Posted by RuneM46

Aage: you're correct - the old NT-35K has a bad motor, and replacement can't be found. Am afraid the SF-35Q won't fit, hence my inquiry. Don't want to buy something I can't use
Thnx


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NT-30, NT35, I am willing to bet (but check it out) that the motor is the same in both models. I was surprised how many parts looked identical when I bought a new replacesment for my furncase (an NT-30).

As to finding a motor, they do not look to be hard to find: I posted a link to one in my earlier post. Here is it again:

https://www.americanrvcompany.com/Su...per-Trailer-RV

[RuneM46]

Aage: I´ve looked at this and there is also a blower Part #231208 which looks similar. Will dbl-check the motor S/N to see. Thnx

[RuneM46]

My NT-35K Furnace has spent some time at a repairshop. Blower motor and Circuit bord was shot. Cause: all kinds of dirt/bug nests, nut shells in chamber and fan wheel housing. Replacemet part could not be found so I guess replacement furnace is now on my wishlist to Santa. Repair shop wanted $907 for a smaller model. Am open for recomondations.


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