Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Surburban Furnace Replacement (Parts no longer available)
| Surburban Furnace Replacement [message #120243] |
Tue, 29 March 2011 09:24  |
willietrucker
Messages: 83
Registered: April 2010
Location: Central Texas
Karma: 0
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I have the original Surburban furnace (NT 30M) in my '76 GMC which was installed by Coachmen.
The furnace has worked good up until a few years ago. The problem I was having was it was that it would not light. Fan would blow, but no ignition, therefore no heat.
Not being a furnace repairman, I called the local RV dealer closet to me, 30 miles away, and was quoted $110/hr. to bench test the unit.
I then spoke with their parts department and was told that replacement parts were no longer available for these old units so it didn't make any sense to me to have it bench tested if parts to repair it were not available.
Anybody else out there come across this issue?
Tom Henderson
Elgin, TX
'76 Birchaven 23'
GMC..."Gimme More Cash"
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| Re: Surburban Furnace Replacement [message #120248 is a reply to message #120246] |
Tue, 29 March 2011 09:59  |
willietrucker
Messages: 83
Registered: April 2010
Location: Central Texas
Karma: 0
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Yep. That's the model they say is a replacement. Cost about $800, not including tax.
Gotta' check the cookie jar to see if that will work within my budget or I will just stay out of cold parts of the country. :-})
Thanks for the input.
Tom Henderson
Elgin, TX
'76 Birchaven 23'
GMC..."Gimme More Cash"
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| Re: Surburban Furnace Replacement [message #120251 is a reply to message #120243] |
Tue, 29 March 2011 10:21 |
idrob
Messages: 645
Registered: January 2005
Location: Central Idaho
Karma: 0
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| Texas Tux wrote on Tue, 29 March 2011 07:24 |
I have the original Surburban furnace (NT 30M) in my '76 GMC which was installed by Coachmen.
The furnace has worked good up until a few years ago. The problem I was having was it was that it would not light. Fan would blow, but no ignition, therefore no heat.
Not being a furnace repairman, I called the local RV dealer closet to me, 30 miles away, and was quoted $110/hr. to bench test the unit.
I then spoke with their parts department and was told that replacement parts were no longer available for these old units so it didn't make any sense to me to have it bench tested if parts to repair it were not available.
Anybody else out there come across this issue?
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It is fairly common for Suburban (and many, many other companies) to discontinue parts support for 35 year old units. I know that they stopped making pilot light parts for those models that had them, a long time ago. In truth, there are not many 35 year old furnaces that are safe to begin with. Combustion chambers rust, rubber and other sealing parts deteriorate and so on. Electronic parts such as ignitor boards are available from aftermarket sources, but gas valves, motor bearings and so on are harder to get and expensive, especially if you have someone else do the work.
Think of replacement costs this way: $800 / 35 years is less than $23 a year, far less than the cost of an oil change these days. With it you get a more modern unit, reliability and safety. Most of the newer units use less 12 volt power too.
Just trying to put a good spin on the problem. No, I don't work for Suburban...LOL.
Rob Allen
former owner of '76 x-PB
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| Re: Surburban Furnace Replacement [message #120258 is a reply to message #120251] |
Tue, 29 March 2011 11:02 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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| idrob wrote on Tue, 29 March 2011 08:21 |
| Texas Tux wrote on Tue, 29 March 2011 07:24 |
I have the original Surburban furnace (NT 30M) in my '76 GMC which was installed by Coachmen. ...
... Not being a furnace repairman, I called the local RV dealer closet to me, 30 miles away, and was quoted $110/hr. to bench test the unit.
...
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... Think of replacement costs this way: $800 / 35 years is less than $23 a year, far less than the cost of an oil change these days. With it you get a more modern unit, reliability and safety. Most of the newer units use less 12 volt power too.
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A new furnace at $800 is only 7 hours 16 minutes labor at their rates. You might be able to find one cheaper on-line.
They are not hard to install if you are replacing a very similar
unit. (Same case dimensions and vent holes.) IF Coachman didn't built the cabinet OVER the furnace so it couldn't be removed. (Like my '78 Birch.. )
For info:
My '78 Birch's furnace would not light. After week of figuring out how to get it out without destroying the cabinet, it turned out that the wire that carried the spark to the igniter was bad. I replaced it with a copper spark plug wire. It worked for a season, then the over temp switch went bad... replaced it... Now wondering how reliable it truly is.
It might have been better to just replace it... If I had been paying someone else to do the work, I KNOW it would have been cheaper.
My "keeper" coach is getting a BRAND NEW furnace when I get to that point in the rebuild.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: Surburban Furnace Replacement [message #120262 is a reply to message #120243] |
Tue, 29 March 2011 11:29 |
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What about updating to thd 42k BTU unit? Its the same size... Ill probably update mine when it dies. The pilot goes out every now and then but it lights off when I relight it. Overall for an old unit it runs pretty good. Draws about 7.5 amps....
73 Canyon Lands, (a.k.a. The Yellow Submarine) West Los Angeles CA
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| Re: Surburban Furnace Replacement [message #120265 is a reply to message #120264] |
Tue, 29 March 2011 11:45 |
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WD0AFQ
Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.
Karma: 207
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Senior Member |
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Larry, your's could be a direct replacement, I just don't know.
I covered the inside with a plastic sheet and glued it, inside. Outside, I left the old vent there. So, now I have 2, and it was on a new paint job. One is fake and one works. No one notices but me. The fake one I also have a dirt dobber screen on it, just for looks. I realize this would not be acceptable to everyone but it was ok with me. Now, we have a new furnace that comes on every time I hit the switch. No more gas fumes from the pilot. I kick it on, warm the coach, then turn it off and use the Wave 6. I only notice the two vents occassionally when I am washing the coach or putting gas in. If had been on the door side, I might not have gone this route.
Dan
3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers
One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm
355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng.
Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System
Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows
Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer
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| Re: Surburban Furnace Replacement [message #120269 is a reply to message #120261] |
Tue, 29 March 2011 11:49 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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| WD0AFQ wrote on Tue, 29 March 2011 09:28 |
| Larry wrote on Tue, 29 March 2011 11:06 |
The Suburban SF 30....is this a "DIrect replacement" for the old NT 30M, meaning no body changes of air and exhaust?
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Nope, not on my 74. I guess it depends on which coach you have. I had to cut two new holes in side of coach and then cover old ones. I looked at the side of the coach for a week before I cut those holes. Took all of 15 seconds to cut both holes, but I was scared to death.
Dan
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The original furnace on my '73 was an old pilot light model. It was larger in all dimensions than the newer furnaces. I found the replacement furnace stuffed INSIDE the old case... new case and all! None of the ductwork matched so they just made plate to rivet to the cover to make it LOOK like it was connected!
I removed the old case and built a platform for the furnace to get it to match the outside vent holes.
The furnace in my '77 and '78 (Both from Coachman) are the same size as the newer furnace and should match up with the ducts. The location of the propane fitting on the furnace is different and you'll need to address this. (Normally by a length of copper tube and some fittings.)
These furnaces are designed to slide out of the case for servicing. Due to the way the cabinet was built, I had to destroy the platform in my '78 to get the furnace out. (It held the furnace at too high of an angle for it to slide out.) I replaced it with a 'hinged' platform that works like a charm.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Surburban Furnace Replacement [message #120289 is a reply to message #120248] |
Tue, 29 March 2011 15:22 |
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Our newer furnace was quieter than the older one and the fan seemed a bit
stronger. It sure heats up what's under the sink so we open the doors and
let some of the heat out at night.
Byron Songer
1978 Royale by Coachmen
Louisville, KY
Personal - http://web.me.com/bnsonger
Eastern States - http://www.gmceast.com
Tom Henderson wrote:
>
>
> Yep. That's the model they say is a replacement. Cost about $800, not
> including tax.
>
> Gotta' check the cookie jar to see if that will work within my budget or I
> will just stay out of cold parts of the country. :-})
>
> Thanks for the input.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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--
Byron Songer
Full-timing to enjoy the USA
Former owner but still an admirer
GMC paint schemes at -
http://www.songerconsulting.net
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| Re: [GMCnet] Surburban Furnace Replacement [message #120291 is a reply to message #120243] |
Tue, 29 March 2011 15:48 |
UziYaH
Messages: 282
Registered: July 2007
Location: 10-O-C
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Hi Tom, ...I had a similar experience. I worked on it with my limited knowledge,
loaded up the unit with propane and something did ignite. When the smoke
cleared, my furnace looked pregnant and my dog, sleeping under our coach was no
where to be found. (showed up later)
Solution: Camping World offered an updated match for less than $600.00, $200.00
less than our local RV place, plus one hr. labor, less than $800.00 total.
We felt this was a good move that not only added value to our coach but living
comfort as well. Nothing had to be modified. Our coach is a 1978 Royale by
Coachmen, probably much like yours.
Happy Trails,
Howard Nylander
Royale Class of '78', 'Rocinante'
Greeneville, Tn.
________________________________
From: Tom Henderson <willietrucker@gmail.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Tue, March 29, 2011 10:24:51 AM
Subject: [GMCnet] Surburban Furnace Replacement
I have the original Surburban furnace (NT 30M) in my '76 GMC which was installed
by Coachmen.
The furnace has worked good up until a few years ago. The problem I was having
was it was that it would not light. Fan would blow, but no ignition, therefore
no heat.
Not being a furnace repairman, I called the local RV dealer closet to me, 30
miles away, and was quoted $110/hr. to bench test the unit.
I then spoke with their parts department and was told that replacement parts
were no longer available for these old units so it didn't make any sense to me
to have it bench tested if parts to repair it were not available.
Anybody else out there come across this issue?
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Howard Nylander
Royale Class of "78" "Rocinate"
E-10-o-C
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| Re: [GMCnet] Surburban Furnace Replacement [message #120292 is a reply to message #120291] |
Tue, 29 March 2011 16:06 |
mlincoln
Messages: 107
Registered: August 2006
Location: Salt Lake City
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Howard, did the inlet/outlet have to be modified in the side of the coach (and what model furnace exactly did you use?)
Mike Lincoln
On Mar 29, 2011, at 4:48 PM, Howard Nylander wrote:
> Hi Tom, ...I had a similar experience. I worked on it with my limited knowledge,
> loaded up the unit with propane and something did ignite. When the smoke
> cleared, my furnace looked pregnant and my dog, sleeping under our coach was no
> where to be found. (showed up later)
>
> Solution: Camping World offered an updated match for less than $600.00, $200.00
> less than our local RV place, plus one hr. labor, less than $800.00 total.
>
> We felt this was a good move that not only added value to our coach but living
> comfort as well. Nothing had to be modified. Our coach is a 1978 Royale by
> Coachmen, probably much like yours.
>
>
> Happy Trails,
>
> Howard Nylander
> Royale Class of '78', 'Rocinante'
> Greeneville, Tn.
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Tom Henderson <willietrucker@gmail.com>
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Sent: Tue, March 29, 2011 10:24:51 AM
> Subject: [GMCnet] Surburban Furnace Replacement
>
>
>
> I have the original Surburban furnace (NT 30M) in my '76 GMC which was installed
> by Coachmen.
>
> The furnace has worked good up until a few years ago. The problem I was having
> was it was that it would not light. Fan would blow, but no ignition, therefore
> no heat.
>
> Not being a furnace repairman, I called the local RV dealer closet to me, 30
> miles away, and was quoted $110/hr. to bench test the unit.
>
> I then spoke with their parts department and was told that replacement parts
> were no longer available for these old units so it didn't make any sense to me
> to have it bench tested if parts to repair it were not available.
>
> Anybody else out there come across this issue?
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
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Mike
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| Re: [GMCnet] Surburban Furnace Replacement [message #120297 is a reply to message #120292] |
Tue, 29 March 2011 16:36 |
UziYaH
Messages: 282
Registered: July 2007
Location: 10-O-C
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Hi Mike, ...Camping World replaced our original furnace, model # NT-30-NT-30 MD,
with their updated model # NT-30SP. No inlet/outlet modifications were needed.
Howard Nylander
________________________________
From: Michael Lincoln <mlincoln1@gmail.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Tue, March 29, 2011 5:06:35 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Surburban Furnace Replacement
Howard, did the inlet/outlet have to be modified in the side of the coach (and
what model furnace exactly did you use?)
Mike Lincoln
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Howard Nylander
Royale Class of "78" "Rocinate"
E-10-o-C
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