Cracks in the Exchanger
Exchangers leak because they crack. A heat exchanger is made of durable metal fins designed to channel heat, but they cannot withstand certain forces, especially the contraction and expansion caused by sharply changing temperatures. As the exchanger warps, the metal becomes vulnerable to any flaws in its construction and can crack along them easily.
Overheating
The primary cause of exchanger cracks, and the leaks that they cause by letting condensation flow into the furnace, is overheating. The Rinnai furnace must pass along the heat it creates throughout the house. If the vents are blocked, the air ducts are too small or the furnace is over-sized, too much heat will be created for the exchanger to handle, pushing it beyond its limits and creating cracks.
Spotting Leaks
Your Rinnai heat exchanger is buried inside your furnace or water heater. You probably have a primary and secondary heat exchanger in the same unit for greater efficiency. If possible, take out the blower in your furnace and open access to the top of your exchanger. Then, spray a mixture of light oil and water along the top and inspect the inside of the exchanger for any of the mixture that may have leaked down. If you are using a Rinnai water heater, Rinnia suggets looking for scale that has built up on the water side of the exchanger, which can indicate potential for cracks, as well as any exchanger hot spots that indicate uneven heat distribution. Professionals have a number of tests that they can perform as well.
Solution
If a leak is found in your heat exchanger, the next step is replacing the component. Heat exchangers cannot be fixed like other parts of your furnace. If you have a Rinnai system, make sure you order the correct model number from the Rinnai website or a contractor that had experience with the correct products. Rinnai may offer warranties for the heat exchanger even for older models, paying between 50 and 10 percent of the price for a replacement if the exchanger fails between the 6th and 10th years of use.
Warranties
Rinnai may offer warranties