Old Woodstove Problem

[wfopete]

I have a mid 1980s Englander wood stove. As you can see in the attachment, the picture is of the junction of exhaust piece (cast?) that exits from the stove top has partially rotted through. The exhaust pro installed double wall SS exhaust so I'm not sure where the problem stemmed from or it is normal wear/tear or even possibly from another earlier install.

Anyway any recommendations for a solution to repair/replace this area?

.

 

[danfromsyr]

is that orange I see at the seam because it's running at the moment?
what/why is there a branch/twig behind it?

looks like water may have been coming back down the pipe?

 

[kaymccampbell]

It's pretty normal for our Harman stove of similar lineage. I replace the top neck about every 5 years or so. I've tried cast, crs, galvanized tin and stainless. All seem to last about the same. I figure it just must be a really hot spot.

 

[Farrviewsouthfarm]

Looking at just the picture, I would agree likely water coming down the pipe during off season caused the rot. I don’t think you could have caused it to burn thru in that relatively short time ( yes I am that old ) I would put a wire brush of grinder to it to determine how bad it is. If not to back you could use furnace cement to seal it up. If bad that I would do a spark test to see if the collar is cast or steel to determine what rod to use to reweld. If was likely welded when it was built so can be welded again

Let us know what you find

 

[wfopete]

Yep, that's flame. The branch is my wife's idea of cheap wall decor. Yes it does look like water migrated down the pipe but the pipe is capped and the exhaust inspected for that issue with no problem noted.

 

[Jhoff310]

I would look at a 2 part epoxy for high heat. I know JB Weld has a max safe temperature of around 500 degrees. I'm sure there are others out there with higher temp.

 

[wfopete]

Typically that's what's been done in the past is to run cement or high temp silicone gasket sealer around the seam. Both have a short life span.

 

[Jhoff310]

https://www.autozone.com/sealants-g...emperature-metal-repair-trilingual/515553_0_0

 

[stoveboltgunnut]

I just couldn't see myself sealing that with a putty. No way, not in my house. Saving a buck or two is not worth my family's lives. At minimum I would replace the top of the stove (if it's replaceable). I would also check the rest of the stove closely for further damage.

I would more than likely be buying a stove. They don't last forever.

Something else to think about: with that hole in the collar, you have no way of shutting down combustion if you have a chimney fire. It'll just keep getting bigger and hotter until it runs out of fuel.

 

[danfromsyr]

you'll need to have a new 6or8in pipe welded on, if the actual thick steel outpipe is corroded through. note that test size the replacement '******' to the black pipe before you are all welded in.. I've had a bear of a time at times with different stoves and pipes..

edit, if that's a 6in pipe (looks like) consider replacing the top outlet with an 8in pipe and using a 8in to 6 in adapter. I'd leave the old 6in on there.
that would allow welding to all new fresh steel,

it's not a structural bit, so I'd be fine welding with my 110v fluxcore lincoln unit.
but someone far more in the know may carry higher opinions.

 

[6768rogues]

I would not burn without fixing it. Replace the piece, weld on a new piece, replace the stove, whatever it takes.

 

[zak77]

I would not burn without fixing it. Replace the piece, weld on a new piece, replace the stove, whatever it takes.

ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!! That thing is a death trap as it sits. You really should not use it until that collar is rewelded and while you're at it, remove the single wall pipe and inspect it for issues. Stove pipe in a house shouldnt be rusting like that, you have other moisture issues going on. And just how far away is that stove to the wall?? You got some SERIOUS issues going on that could very easily burn your house down.

 

[TractorJeff]

Could be an illusion but it looks too close to the wall.
Its a steel top so that thimble is probably steel also.
Probably water caused the burnt steel at the weld to fail.

 

[wfopete]

I can assure you that it's an illusion. The closest the stove is to the wall is 14" inches. Also the installer insisted that he drill/screw on insulating panels to the sides and insulate the rear of the stove to meet installation specs.

 

[Bretny]

By the looks of it your stove pipe is upside down. The female piece goes on the top. This is why your getting rust coming out of that seam. Also those stoves are not cast there just plain mild steel. I would make a new ring and weld it on.

What kind of chimney cap do you have? Seams to be alot of rust and possibly water getting in that chimney.

Please take more pictures of the chimney for us.

 

[wfopete]

Here is the top shot:

 

[readhead]

Is that the same exhaust pro that installed the pipe lapped the wrong way? The problem extends from the pipe lapped the wrong way and condensate dripping on the stove and causing it to rust.
Kill the fire, braze the crack (most of the carbon is gone from the cast iron and brass will work better) and install the pipe correctly.

 

[SkeetShooter]

Stop using that stove. Besides the obvious issues, it appears from the pic that neck has been repaired/re=welded before and a bad job at that. You need to get a professional in there who knows what he/she is doing and either get a new neck welded on, and or have a stove professional inspect that thing from top to bottom. I'd be worried about firebox cracks and seepage if water intrusion was present.

 

[Bretny]

The outside section looks fine from what i can see. Take some more interior pics. Was this stove ever on a chimney that didnt have a cap?

 

[BD1]

Maybe as a option you could weld a collar on a piece of steel plate and insert through the door opening. Then bolt to top of stove.

 

[p_mori7]

Stop using the stove immediately.

You will need to remove the collar, grind everything down flat, and weld a new repair section onto the top of the stove then install a new collar.

No combustibles should be near the stove...ever.

 

[wfopete]

I don't see why all the excitement over that small gap. Deathtrap? I think not. It's simply a poor man's air feed for secondary combustion of unburnt gases. I was telling my retired fireman buddy about it and he asked if I had a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm. He went on to give me this story of odorless, colorless, tasteless, heavy poisonous gas stuff that runs low to the ground. I told I did not have a alarm but my dog sleeps next to the stove so if I get up at night to add wood and the dog is dead then I know there is a problem. Plus I understand CO is produced when fossil fuels burn without a good supply of air. Ha! I don't think I have that problem, so maybe that gap is a lifesaver. Smoke alarm? Dang thing kept going off so I took out the battery. Anyway since the GJ woodstove police are so excited I'll take a closer look at it. Besides it's warmed up here in Arkansas so I won't need the heat for a few days.

 

[Jazz1]

The picture is exactly why insurance companies require certification up here to insure buildings heated with wood stove. My insurance agent showed me pics of various stoves and chimneys he had come across. My favourite was chimney made from stacking coffee cans.

 

[fireguy]

I don't see why all the excitement over that small gap. Deathtrap? I think not. It's simply a poor man's air feed for secondary combustion of unburnt gases. I was telling my retired fireman buddy about it and he asked if I had a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm. He went on to give me this story of odorless, colorless, tasteless, heavy poisonous gas stuff that runs low to the ground. I told I did not have a alarm but my dog sleeps next to the stove so if I get up at night to add wood and the dog is dead then I know there is a problem. Plus I understand CO is produced when fossil fuels burn without a good supply of air. Ha! I don't think I have that problem, so maybe that gap is a lifesaver. Smoke alarm? Dang thing kept going off so I took out the battery. Anyway since the GJ woodstove police are so excited I'll take a closer look at it. Besides it's warmed up here in Arkansas so I won't need the heat for a few days.

I think you should listen to the fireman.