Nordyne Heat Exchangers

[NoBeezos]

Can anyone tell me if and what the differences are with these Nordyne Heat Exchangers are? I have a M5SB086 BW and the HX is toast. I need a new one. Parts guide says I need part 921144. Of course no where to be found and Nortek taking over a month to maybe send one out or give a shipping date even in another case.
I look around and i see what looks like identical HX's same pipes same body byut the part numbers vary and go into other units that may be oil vs gas vs whatever BTU etc.
Now are these parts actually the same or maybe the holes are drilled different to mount. I know when you order a Toyota part for one model it works in another model and yet the part number is different for the model and i can buy the same exact Ignition coil for a 4runner that goes into a tundra just parts numbers change or update over the years like a new model tv they slap a new model number on and is literally the same. I put two pics below to shpw what i mean the one i need looks the exact same. Is it the metal? The mounting fittings? Thanks for any clues or maybe point in the direction for the info.

Take care and be safe out there.

 

[fitter30]

Don't think any manufacture would give you that info because of the gas certifications listed on the name tag. They would probably be held liable if there was a problem.

 

[NoBeezos]

Don't think any manufacture would give you that info because of the gas certifications listed on the name tag. They would probably be held liable if there was a problem.

Agreed the manufacturers will always play their games and their role. I'm asking to anyone who has the experience to have worked with these furnaces over the years. There are so many with these Nordyne parts if they know and saw something or have an opinion. These forums cant hold anyone liable. Its chatting and opinion based only - well maybe besides a moderator or paid/committed expert who have signed paperwork to say they are liable. Anyone who feels fear of the unknown can choose to not answer and I still thank you. Any other tech and subject matter expert please pipe up.

 

[N2BUICK]

HVAC manufactures are as fickle as automotive people are. Having different part numbers, on what looks like the same part unfoutunley is common. What is this application? Seems very odd, is it mobile home? Horizontal, natural gas or oil? 80% or condensing?
As was mentioned, liability is a real thing, especially in heating equipment. If anything goes wrong, fire, explosion, bet your last dollar the insurance company will look for anything, to not pay. A part that does not have the exact part number on it is music to insurance companies.
I agree they look the same in these two pictures. Finding anyone in the chain of distribution, that knows if there are differences is next to impossible. A technical service rep, for that brand might know, but if your not a dealer, licensed etc., they aren't going to share any technical information.

 

[Sumboodie]

Id be looking to replace the unit. 83% efficient means it's what, 1980s, maybe early 90s?

 

[Jim greengo]

How old is the furnace?

 

[PoorUB]

Id be looking to replace the unit. 83% efficient means it's what, 1980s, maybe early 90s?

Pretty much every company still builds 80%, so being it is an 80% is not any indication of the age.

 

[Sumboodie]

Pretty much every company still builds 80%, so being it is an 80% is not any indication of the age.

Really?

It's all 93+ here and has been for 15+ years.

 

[PoorUB]

Really?

It's all 93+ here and has been for 15+ years.

I retired from HVAC sales two+ years ago and we were still selling 80%'ers. We sold three different lines, they all had them. Plus we knew what the competition was doing. There was a couple companies that quit building them, but for the most part everyone was still building them.

I just looked, I have a 2020 catalog from the company I worked for and there is 80% furnaces in it.

You being in AK why would anyone install an 80% furnace?

The feds did threaten to axe them a few years ago, but it didn't happen. Possibly it has in the last couple years, I am not in the loop any longer.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I retired from HVAC sales two+ years ago and we were still selling 80%'ers. We sold three different lines, they all had them. Plus we knew what the competition was doing. There was a couple companies that quit building them, but for the most part everyone was still building them.

I just looked, I have a 2020 catalog from the company I worked for and there is 80% furnaces in it.

You being in AK why would anyone install an 80% furnace?

The feds did threaten to axe them a few years ago, but it didn't happen. Possibly it has in the last couple years, I am not in the loop any longer.

It's the same money for 80 or 90+. Why not get the better toy?

 

[PoorUB]

It's the same money for 80 or 90+. Why not get the better toy?

Sometimes you just can not vent a 90+ out of the building. I have been in houses with the furnace in the middle of the basement and every thing around it is finished, so unless you want to rip out someone ceiling and repair it, in goes an 80%. . Or the only way to vent it out ends up where you can not, like right under a window, or too far to vent it. Most furnaces have limits on how far you can run the vent, I have seen larger furnaces that were 35 feet and it gets 5 feet less with each elbow and in large house.

Also the 90+ will produce condensate. Perhaps no where to drain it. I have a 80% in may garage and will put a 80% back in what the time comes.

I agree, if you can install a 90+ you are crazy not too.

 

[NoBeezos]

HVAC manufactures are as fickle as automotive people are. Having different part numbers, on what looks like the same part unfoutunley is common. What is this application? Seems very odd, is it mobile home? Horizontal, natural gas or oil? 80% or condensing?
As was mentioned, liability is a real thing, especially in heating equipment. If anything goes wrong, fire, explosion, bet your last dollar the insurance company will look for anything, to not pay. A part that does not have the exact part number on it is music to insurance companies.
I agree they look the same in these two pictures. Finding anyone in the chain of distribution, that knows if there are differences is next to impossible. A technical service rep, for that brand might know, but if your not a dealer, licensed etc., they aren't going to share any technical information.

Hi N2BUICK, Yes its a mobile home furnace, Oil, 86,000btu, 83%, downflow.
That is great advice about the insurance folks. I did end up getting the original part. Amazing how much rust came on it brand new. Ridiculous. I did not see a part number but I didn't check it over well. It will be installed by a licensed tech. I am simply an involved owner who likes to learn and be self-sufficient rather than be at the mercy of others. I work with computers and servers, driven 18 wheelers, sailed the seven seas in the Navy onboard a destroyer and a cruiser while working maintaining and fixing weapon systems and of course been a home owner for 20 years now. HVAC is just another electrical/mechanical problem to be solved. I also comprehend knowing when you don't have the know how to do something dangerous and specific.
Thanks for the input. I'll continue to delving into the field. I've enjoyed learning how this furnace works. Pretty simple in the end.

 

[Jim greengo]

Really?

It's all 93+ here and has been for 15+ years.

Depends on your location,I still install a lot of 80% furnaces around omaha.

 

[Jim greengo]

It's the same money for 80 or 90+. Why not get the better toy?

More parts to break,more head aches.
It's a pain in the *** to vent a 90plus furnace in some houses.