Avalon Rainier Draft Problem (Video)

[tcassavaugh]

Oh I see. Can I remove it with an adjustable wrench? Or does it require something else?

you can remove with an adjustable wrench, open end wrench or a little socket set if you have one.
in looking at your video, the first portion and the last portion may have had something in the opening/screen/cross hatching of the cap. thats the inner screen that keeps the larger sparks from exiting the chimney. it was hard to tell for sure but i could see through one but not some of the others. i'm running out of suggestions.

 

[AbhChallenger]

You need to pull the pipe that cap could be clogged they usually have a relativity small screen in them. Of something in the flue. Those certainly look like 1/4" hex head self tapping screws to me in the pipe and it looks like a telescoping section to pull those screws and the pipe should come apart

Which ones? There are two "sets" on this pipe

http://imgur.com/n7GGeUd

 

[Heftiger]

Remove the screws from the top first, those are securing the pipe to the ceiling support. The pipe won't move after they're out. Then remove the ones from the middle section. This will allow the pipe to collapse on itself.

 

[AbhChallenger]

Remove the screws from the top first, those are securing the pipe to the ceiling support. The pipe won't move after they're out. Then remove the ones from the middle section. This will allow the pipe to collapse on itself.

Okay. I will see about getting an adjustable wrench or one of those screwdrivers to get those out.

Question. While I was examining the flue I noticed there seems to be nothing holding it to the stove. I guess I am wording that wrong but I found I could move the entire pipe a bit in any direction. Is this normal?

 

[tcassavaugh]

Oh I see. Can I remove it with an adjustable wrench? Or does it require something else?

you can remove with an adjustable wrench, open end wrench or a little socket set if you have one.
in looking at your video, the first portion and the last portion may have had something in the opening/screen/cross hatching of the cap. thats the inner screen that keeps the larger sparks from exiting the chimney. it was hard to tell for sure but i could see through one but not some of the others. i'm running out of suggestions.

 

[Heftiger]

Okay. I will see about getting an adjustable wrench or one of those screwdrivers to get those out.

Question. While I was examining the flue I noticed there seems to be nothing holding it to the stove. I guess I am wording that wrong but I found I could move the entire pipe a bit in any direction. Is this normal?

Yes, that's normal. The pipe is really just sitting on the stove, and secured as you showed at the top and in the middle where it telescopes.

 

[bholler]

Yes, that's normal. The pipe is really just sitting on the stove, and secured as you showed at the top and in the middle where it telescopes.

no it really should be attached and fit rather tight but i doubt that is causing the issue

 

[AbhChallenger]

When I get the chance I will attempt to remove that pipe so I can image the cap from inside the house. However it does seem more and more that we are going to have to get that cap removed and inspected regardless. And I am too fearful to try to do that myself. Oh well. We will just rely on electric to heat the house in the meantime.

I want to thank everyone for their help in trying to figure this out. Hopefully if it is the cap we will be able to still run it before the end of the season.

 

[blacktail]

(I'm pretty sure your avalon is just like my lopi) Removing the baffle for cleaning or inspection is very simple. The bricks above the burn tubes are just resting on a lip front and back. Just push a couple of the middle ones up and slide them over so they are resting on top of the adjacent bricks. No need to fully remove them. Leave them overhanging a little so they're easy to grab when it's time to slide them back into place.

 

[Beer Belly]

Looking at the Cap....do you guys feel it has a pretty low profile ??....not much of an opening to begin with ??....but then again, if it was an issue, it wouldn't make a difference with outside temps

 

[bholler]

Looking at the Cap....do you guys feel it has a pretty low profile ??....not much of an opening to begin with ??....but then again, if it was an issue, it wouldn't make a difference with outside temps

Yes i personally dont like those caps at all they also usually have 3/16" or 1/2" mesh inside there to which is just to small

 

[AbhChallenger]

Yes i personally dont like those caps at all they also usually have 3/16" or 1/2" mesh inside there to which is just to small

So if we were to have it replaced. Any suggestions?

Parents decided against taking apart the inside flue to look up inside. Instead we are going to call the place that sold it to us and have them inspect the stove. I assume then we will have to call a sweep that is willing to climb on that roof and remove the cap.

 

[bholler]

Parents decided against taking apart the inside flue to look up inside. Instead we are going to call the place that sold it to us and have them inspect the stove. I assume then we will have to call a sweep that is willing to climb on that roof and remove the cap.

The installers should be able to go up there and inspect the cap.

So if we were to have it replaced. Any suggestions?

There are many less restrictive caps available you just need to know the manufacturer of the chimney. Just removing the screen or replacing it with a larger one may be all that is needed.

 

[AbhChallenger]

Okay I really need expert advise to tell my parents.

They had managed to start using that thing again (Abeit with smoke contuning to pour out whenever wood is loaded.) because they figured nobody was going to come and look at the fluecap (It is so high up it likely needs a truck?) until spring.

Tonight we could not get anything but a small amount of smoke to go up the flue. They said the other day that it started working better after they heard some kind of "backfire" I had figured it was just some air moving around until I saw it for myself.

There was very little flame. The door was shut and sealed and I noticed smoke coming from the areas I showed earlier and the top of the stove where the flue connects. Then I noticed the smoke being sucked in again before the flame suddenly roared to life and smoke blasted out of the vents for a split second. Now it is functioning somewhat but it is obvious it is not safe to run anymore.

Was that a flue fire? I ran outside to check the flue but there was no flame coming out of it (Just a lot of smoke) and nothing was on the roof. To be diligent. I am checking every 15 mins until the fire burns down to embers and I convinced them not to attempt to run that stove anymore.

As of this point there will be no fires in that stove until at the very least the flue cap is repaired/replaced. What I need is as much info I can leave with them as possible because I am sure the sweep or installer or whoever will start with the (Its just cold get the fire hotter) crap.

 

[Heftiger]

Sounds like a back puff. I would still bet my money on a clog somewhere.

 

[AbhChallenger]

Sounds like a back puff. I would still bet my money on a clog somewhere.

In your opinion is your bet on the stove or the flue/cap?

 

[bholler]

They had managed to start using that thing again (Abeit with smoke contuning to pour out whenever wood is loaded.) because they figured nobody was going to come and look at the fluecap (It is so high up it likely needs a truck?) until spring.

Did you cal anyone that is not to high at all i could easily get to the cap either by pulling the top section of chimney down or just using a step ladder behind the chimney. There is not need for a truck it is pretty simple really get some one out there to look at it . Do they at least have co alarms because if they are running a stove with the draft being that bad there is a serious risk of co poisoning.

In your opinion is your bet on the stove or the flue/cap?

We have no way of knowing that at all the system needs taken apart and inspected plain and simple any more speculation without doing that is pointless.