Sta-Right, Max-E Therm 333 Leaking Water :(

[Canar]

The water is coming out the sides and the bottom etc. I have had it since 2007 and to be honest it has been great. When I look on line at the parts break out I see a thing called a tube sheet coil. I am guessing that has sprung a leak. Am I on the right track? has anyone changed one of these before? Is it hard?

[Pool Clown]

Yes, you are on the right track. Open the cover and see if there is water coming from the blower intake. If there is, you'll also need a blower, and HSI. If you have the firebox top that is assembled with a clamp it will be easier than if you have the box with orange silicone that is sealing it up.

[Canar]

Yes my top just unscrews I will pull it apart when I get home. I plumbed out the heater this morning so I could keep running the pool. Not sure if I will still be able to tell if I need a blower. At this point if I need the blower and the tube sheet coil I am at $1k in parts. I have seen new heaters of this model go for $1600-$1700. When I figure the time it will take to repair it I am starting to think I am better off with a new one.

This is really a bummer. I thought these heaters were the best out there. Should it not have lasted a lot longer than this? Is there a better option out there now?

Ted

[Pool Clown]

The manifold is held onto the bundle by 5 bolts on each side. Take the bolt closest to the ground out, and let the water in the combustion box drain out. Once drained, try to fire the heater, and see if the blower comes on. If it comes on and sounds as it usually does, then you may not need a blower.

I know you disconnected it, but unless you know how to start it disconnected(hook up the power and jump the pressure switch, NO gas), there is little way of knowing if the blower is OK.

To my knowledge, there are only two ways the exchanger can get a hole in it, other than running into it with your car (don't ask). One is from extended contact with acidic, or very low Ph water. The other is from erosion. This would come from too high of velocity(flow). The water can actually strip the copper from the exchanger. Usually from a pump sized too big.