Question about leaking heat exchangers

[mc1984ss]

I've been doing a lot of work in my basement lately and sometimes when I'm around the heat registers down there I swear I smell an odd scent. I do know that a leaky secondary heat exchanger can give off an odor. ( I only smell it down stairs) I would not even question whether or not I had a bad heat exchanger bit I have had a lot of problems. The AC condenser coil inside has leaked all over the floor multiple times since we had it installed brand new 4 yrs ago. One time it soaked the inside of the furnace. ( At that time I even ran the furnace in the summer to dry it out) This past summer I think they finally got it fixed. I'm just overly paranoid about it since I have young ones in the house. Am I correct that there is some sort of safety pressure switch that will turn the furnace off if there is a heat exchanger leak? Also where exactly should I be looking to inspect the heat exchangers? I'm not afraid to partially disassemble whatever is needed. It's a Bryant natural gas forced air if that helps. I do have multiple carbon monoxide detectors upstairs and down which have never gone off but I just want a piece of mind. This got long winded thanks in advance

 

[rlitman]

I'd make a casual call to my local fire department. Not only do they have far better CO detectors than you, but they often also have a meter they can stick on your finger that will measure the CO dissolved in your blood.

 

[Jim greengo]

Carbon monoxide doesnt put off an odor I'm aware of?
Is it an 80 or 90% furnace?
Does it make any pops/booms or bangs when it 1st fires up or after it's been running for a while and shuts down/fires up again?
I'd have a decent furnace contractor check it out if you're worried about it.

 

[mc1984ss]

It's a 90%furnace, no noises operates perfect

 

[ljhhontx]

Don't take chances, the smell could be aldehyde, a smell that sometimes occurs with CO leaks. In my experience it is accompanied by burning in the eyes. Although CO is odorless there are a few clues, dry skin to the extreme is another. Have your gas company test your house. The cheap household CO alarms are ok but gas providers have instruments that cost thousands and are calibrated regularly and they will come out and check it for you 24 hours a day if you call. Your family is too precious to trust Walmart to keep alive.

 

[rlitman]

Carbon monoxide doesnt put off an odor I'm aware of?

CO has no odor, but CO is dangerous in the parts per million range. However, exhaust gases have odors, and exhaust carries a small amount of CO in it.

 

[BD1]

Domestic gas water heaters can have carbon monoxide issues too.
How old is your furnace and water heater ??


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[mc1984ss]

Only four years old

 

[bonneyman]

Don't take chances, the smell could be aldehyde, a smell that sometimes occurs with CO leaks. In my experience it is accompanied by burning in the eyes. Although CO is odorless there are a few clues, dry skin to the extreme is another. Have your gas company test your house. The cheap household CO alarms are ok but gas providers have instruments that cost thousands and are calibrated regularly and they will come out and check it for you 24 hours a day if you call. Your family is too precious to trust Walmart to keep alive.

10-4 I'd call a pro in. You don't want to risk it with carbon monoxide.

 

[Aileron]

Mold from the coil leaking? There is a also a issue with what is called dirty sock syndrome on evap coils. Bacteria builds up around and under the fins if its not a coated coil. Trane had a service bulletin on the issue.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Call someone. Checking for a potential heat exchanger leak is not in any way a DIY thing.

Tommy

 

[mc1984ss]

That's what I'm doing, thanks everyone

 

[acmikee]

co has no smell. do you smell it up stairs when the heat is on. I suspect its mold. open up the duct and inspect the coil looking for mold then clean it with simple green since its open
is it possible to have mice in the duct

 

[99LeCouch]

co has no smell. do you smell it up stairs when the heat is on. I suspect its mold. open up the duct and inspect the coil looking for mold then clean it with simple green since its open
is it possible to have mice in the duct

Not Simple Green. That will eat the aluminum coil.

The box stores have coil cleaner that is aluminum safe. It works well.

Call in a pro if you suspect a faulty exchanger. Might be covered under a warranty, call Bryant and ask.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

co has no smell.

CO itself has no odor, but combustion gases do. It's a smell you recognize instantly if you've previously dealt with it.

Tommy