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Problem
Ash Build-up on Combustor Surface
Combustor Clogging
Broken Combustor
Combustor Malfunction
Combustor Problem
Combustor Problem
Combustor Problem
Reduced Combustor Performance
Combustor not glowing
Appliance burning too hot or fast
Back-puffing or sudden internal ignitions
Appliance Smokes
10
CATALYTIC COMBUSTOR TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Condition
Normal
Creosote
Crack or Break
Not Working
Thermal Erosion
Thermal Cracking
Combustor Peeling
Combustor Clogging or Fatigue
Late stage of burn
Doors are not properly closed.
Excessive draft
Operating technique
Burn rate too low
Chimney down draft
Combustor or louvered housing plugged
Operating technique
Blocked Chimney
Blocked outside air duct
NOTE: DIAGRAMS & ILLUSTRATIONS ARE NOT TO SCALE.
Solution
Ash, a fluffy light gray powder, and soot, accumulate on the com-
bustor surfaces in normal use. Ashes accumulate as a result of the
smoke being burned within the combustor and carried out of the
firebox by the chimney draft. Soot is the result of previous creosote
deposits having been burned off or foreign materials being burned
in the firebox. This is normal and will be eliminated during the next
burn.
Combustor should be cleaned (see Page 11). Do not use air pres-
sure or sharp objects to clean combustor.
The combustor is manufactured from a ceramic material and there-
fore can crack or break. However, the combustor will still function if
cracked. If combustor is broken into pieces and dis-lodged from the
housing, it will need to be replaced.
The combustor should last a minimum of 10,000 hours of opera-
tion. The combustor will lose catalytic capability over time. When
you see continuous smoke coming from the chimney, the combus-
tor should be cleaned. If the smoking persists, the combustor
should be replaced.
This combustor does NOT experience thermal erosion. "Not ap-
plicable." Applies to honeycomb combustors only.
This combustor does NOT experience thermal cracking. "Not ap-
plicable." Applies to honeycomb combustors only.
This combustor does NOT experience combustor peeling. "Not
applicable." Applies to honeycomb combustors only.
Signs of combustor fatigue include reduced heat output and slug-
gish performance. Inspect and clean combustor. Replacement
may be required. Monitor performance and smoke coming from
chimney.
Combustor does not need to be glowing to be working. Check
smoke exiting chimney to help determine if combustor is working
properly.
Close doors securely. Check door gasket.
Adjust primary air control to lower setting.
Open bypass and primary air control before opening to reload and
keep it open a few minutes after reloading.
Open air damper to allow for hotter burn.
In high wind areas, a specially designed wind cap may be neces-
sary.
Clean combustor / louvered housing of accumulated fly ash.
Open bypass and air damper prior to reloading appliance.
Examine chimney and vent pipe for blockage and creosote accumu-
lations. Check spark arrestor screen on your cap, if you have one.
Check the outside air inlet for blockage caused by snow, debris, or
insects.
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