General

Service Bulletin
FURN-TRN-SB-17 Variable Speed Draft
Inducer Service

TDX-R, TUX-R, TDY,TUY Gas Furnaces

ORDER No:

FURN-SVB04A-EN

DATE: February 17, 2003

Introduction
The purpose of this alert is to advise customers of the results of analysis of field
returned BLW00732 Variable Speed Draft Inducers (VSDI) and possible field
corrections to the root cause. The action described in this bulletin is not being taken
to address a safety concern. This in an informational bulletin only. No allowances
are associated with this bulletin.

WARNING

NOTICE: Warnings and Cautions appear at appropriate sections

throughout this bulletin. Read these carefully.

WARNING: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which,

if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

CAUTION: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which,

if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.
CAUTION: May also be used to alert reader to a situation that could
result in equipment or property-only damage.
Service checks and diagnostic procedures escribed in this bulletin are intended to
be performed by trained, qualified personnel. Some checks may be required to be
performed with voltage present and the hazard of moving parts also exists in these
situations. Failure to follow warnings and cautions in this bulletin may result in
personal injury or death.

2001 American Standard Inc. All Rights Reserved

Discussion
During 2002, BLW00732 was on mandatory return to Fasco Motors if an in
warranty replacement occurred. This was for the purpose of root cause failure
analysis. The major failures for these assemblies fall into 3 categories:

Noise and Vibration

Bearing or Mechanical Failures
Electrical Failures

The largest single contributor to electrical failures was water or moisture damage to
the motor control PC board. Moisture damage to bearings was also found in a
significant number of samples. Broken impellers appeared to be the cause of several
vibration complaints.

Troubleshooting / Diagnosis Procedure

Refer to the GAS FURNACE SILICON NITRIDE IGNITOR MODELS training manual
(pub. no. 34-3405-06) for troubleshooting information on identifying electrical
failures. Refer to the Installer Guides 18-CD20D3-10 and 18-CD19D8-6 (or later
revisions) for installation instructions and precautions for TDY/TUY and TDX-R
/TUX-R models. For evaluating potential sources of water, see the illustration on the
next page. Look for tell-tale "water deposits".
IMPORTANT NOTE: These furnace are high efficiency, condensing models with water
moving through them as a normal aspect of their operation. The Installer's guides
have been updated to recommend the installation of an auxiliary drain pan under the
furnace and evaporator coil when installed above ceilings or other areas where water
may cause damage.

Product Changes
The joint suppliers of GE and Fasco have made many improvements to the
manufacturing and design of the assemblies in continuous improvement programs.
Two last improvements yet to be made (at the time of issuance of this bulletin) are:
1- Improved conformal coating to the inducer PC board; and 2 - Some sort of water
shield for the PC board. These are in process.

Material Disposition
The mandatory return for warranty claims has been inactivated on Falcon, however,
if a Field Service Representative feels the need to have a particular assembly
analyzed, it should be returned to After Sales Support in Tyler. See the contact
information at the end of this bulletin and please call or e-mail first.

FURN-SVB04A-EN

POSSIBLE WATER LEAK LOCATIONS - PLACES TO CHECK

Humidifier Supply

HUMIDIFIER
Vent Fittings
Humidifier Drain
NOTE: Long runs of vent
pipe through cold spaces
will generate a lot of water
condensing in the vent
pipe. A trapped drain tee
in the vent may be
installed if it appears too
much water is draining
back to the inducer
(sloshing or "washing
machine" sounds during
operation).

Indoor Coil Drain

Connection from Inducer to

Internal Flue Pipe
Note that connecting all 3
drains together may be
too much water flow for
the drain or pump. A
separate drain
connection for the
furnace condensate is
recommended.

Water / moist flue gases

being pulled through
inducer housing around
motor shaft due to
excessive negative
pressure in the space
around the furnace.
Symptom will be bearing
"whine".

Questions
Dealers and servicers should contact their local Field Service Representative with any
questions. Field Service Representatives and distribution personnel should contact
the Product Technical Service department in Tyler, TX (903-581-3009) or Trenton,
NJ (609-588-4247) with questions regarding this Service Bulletin. E-mail can be
sent to customer-information.tyler@trane.com
Reference this service bulletin in the subject line.

FURN-SVB04A-EN

Literature Order Number

FURN-SVB04A-EN

Trane
An American Standard
Company
www.trane.com

File Number

SV-UN- FURN-SVB04A-EN -02/17/03

Supersedes

New

Stocking Location

Inland La Crosse

For more information contact your

local district office or e-mail us at
comfort@trane.com

Trane has a policy of continuous product data and product improvement and reserves the right
to change design and specifications without notice. Only qualified technicians should perform the
installation and servicing of equipment referred to in this bulletin.

FURN-SVB04A-EN