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Old 07-21-2010, 09:25 PM   #1
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Suburban NT-30 problems

We've got the Suburban NT-30S pulled out completely. A few questions:

It's pretty rusty. Indication to replace it? It was installed on 4-7-99.

Also, the fan would not run until I push started it, and then only slowly and super weak.

With the price of replacement furnaces slightly out of budget, anyone have any advice?

Thanks,

Allie
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Old 07-21-2010, 09:57 PM   #2
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Ten years isn't THAT old. Mine still works (sorta) and it's 36!

If the unit is still structurally strong and whole (no holes in the fire chamber) and the famous short bit of hose that dries out and falls off is still in good shape, it sounds like what you may need is a good cleaning, and to service (or replace) the blower motor.

Mud daubers and wasps love gas-fired devices, and will build homes. Look carefully at the fan housing; did you get it really clean? Could be a bad bearing, too, I suppose.

While you have it out, though, carefully inspect the entire furnace and look for rust holes or cracks. Those signal time to buy new.

Try the Google selection within the search button up top in the dark blue horizontal line. That furnace has had a lot of good discussion.
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Old 07-22-2010, 03:48 AM   #3
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Furnace motor is usually about $100 new. It is fairly easy to put in but requires a long allen wrench.
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Old 07-22-2010, 07:24 PM   #4
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Got the motor out. Here goes my first $100 on the furnace....
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Old 01-15-2011, 03:54 PM   #5
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Need help getting fan out

I've got a NT25 or NT 30 Surburban. I have the unit out and need to replace fan motor because of a squeaky bearing. How do you get that sucker out?
Don't see anyway to remove cover. Needs a good cleaning also. Everything else works OK. Since it is so old, should I replace the whole thing? I'm worried that the intake and exit holes will not line up.
Thanks for the help.
Joe
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Old 01-15-2011, 04:28 PM   #6
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Has any work been done on the furnace, or is it original?
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Old 01-15-2011, 04:30 PM   #7
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I think it is original. It matches the manual in the book the PO gave me.
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Old 01-15-2011, 04:56 PM   #8
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If it's removed, get set for big $$$ fun. We replaced our NT-30 in 2001. Since then, the heater motor has been replaced 4 times, the gas valve 3 times, the limit switch 3 times, the ignitor board (with a Dinosaur) once, the electrode twice. Every time we fire the Surburban, I wonder what's going to go belly-up next. We winter in Arizona and the furnace gets very little use and in the PNW we only fire it in the mornings. Junk...
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Old 01-15-2011, 06:53 PM   #9
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I bought a NT 30 Surburban last spring and paid $475. Found it on line. It works great. You should be able to replace the fan motor but if not just letting you know what it will cost to replace.
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Old 01-15-2011, 07:09 PM   #10
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Furnace replacement

I had a 36 year old furnace that would not work. I took it out and carried it to the RV to trouble shoot. The plug was burnt on the circuit board. They wanted $350 to clean and fix. I found a new one with a thermostat for $400 and $30 shipping. Was not much of a decision. I put it in today and it went in with little modification. I feel safer now.
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Old 01-15-2011, 07:10 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Leary View Post
Since then, the heater motor has been replaced 4 times, the gas valve 3 times, the limit switch 3 times, the ignitor board (with a Dinosaur) once, the electrode twice. Every time we fire the Surburban, I wonder what's going to go belly-up next. We winter in Arizona and the furnace gets very little use and in the PNW we only fire it in the mornings. Junk...
How do you get the cotton pickin fan motor out? I can not figure that out.
R U saying I should by a new furnace? 4 motors would be more than the cost of a new one.

Joe
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Old 01-15-2011, 07:12 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GAT View Post
I had a 36 year old furnace that would not work. I took it out and carried it to the RV to trouble shoot. The plug was burnt on the circuit board. They wanted $350 to clean and fix. I found a new one with a thermostat for $400 and $30 shipping. Was not much of a decision. I put it in today and it went in with little modification. I feel safer now.
Did you get a new or used one for $400. And where if you don't mind.
Thanks,
joe
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Old 01-15-2011, 07:41 PM   #13
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R U saying I should by a new furnace? 4 motors would be more than the cost of a new one.
I'm just telling all what has happened to us; no suggestions other than have it serviced by a authorized Suburban tech and replace all the do-dads I've had problems with. If it pencils out to be more expensive than a fresh furnace, buy a fresh one with warranty. I'm not sure Surburban has warranty coverage if it's not installed by a Surburban tech, might check before ordering a "good deal" on-line. We paid $600.00 + labor for ours.
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Old 01-16-2011, 02:26 PM   #14
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Got the fan out! Took out two screws in front and the whole inside slips out. Once that was out, just a matter of taking out screws to remove the motor. You do have to use a long Allen wrench to remove the fans on each end.
There was a lot of powdered rust in the housing. I have given it a fairly good cleaning.
I think I'm going to hook the motor up to a battery to see if it will chirp. I it doesn't I'm going to put it back together and install it back in the trailer to see if the cleaning stopped it.
If I go new furnace, I'm going to have to cut new holes in the side for the intake and exhaust and put a patch for the old holes unless I can turn the new one to match up.
If it does chirp, I can buy another fan motor and take my chances on the other parts lasting for a while. We'll see how it goes.
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Old 01-21-2011, 02:51 PM   #15
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Ordered a new fan and just installed it. Fired up the first time I tried it. Took about three hours total from removing the furnace, replacing the fan and putting the furnace back in. Lowest price on the 231165 fan was $139. Hope nothing else breaks.
Have a great weekend,
Joe
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