Trouble removing exterior furnace hatch door on E19

[Dukedt]

Hi All,

We have an Escape 19 (2019). The furnace hatch door is on the outside, oriented vertically, with the metal exhaust opening on the bottom. The furnace isn't turning on, so we watched the video on how to check the sail switch an circuit board. BUT, we can't get the darn hatch door off. We removed the screws from the corners of the hatch, but it's as though the exhaust vent is stuck. Any suggestions on what to do now?

Thank you!

Merrill and Duke

[tacchino]

Did you ever get it loose? I’m facing the same problem

[brroberts]

A light tap with a hammer. A screwdriver gently under a corner to get it started. Mine was tight, but once it started, it came off.

[tacchino]

Mine is stuck in the corner by the exhaust vent. I’ve wedged a screwdriver in there to try and lever it out, pulled with the claw end of a hammer, wiggled it around. Just not coming loose.

[Iowa Dave]

Have you given it a few shots of penetrating fluid? Have you tried a real strong magnet to distribute the pull? Can you slide a piece of steel strap through the vent with two
threaded holes in it. And two holes for some heavy cord though the holes. Once lined up in the corner that seems tight use the threaded holes with a coupler stove bolts as a puller to “push” from the inside.
Easy does it
IowaDave

[tacchino]

Thanks Dave.


I like the strap idea. Did manage to work a canvas strap in there allowing me to pull from both sides but still doesn't budge.


As far as penetrating fluid goes I've got some WD-40 but aside from not really being able to see anywhere to spray it i would be pretty nervous about spraying a flammable fluid in there

[kathytony1985]

I'm having the same issue with our 21NE. It's as if it is sealed to the body of the trailer. :-(

[tacchino]

Mine is loose from the body, you should be able to get all the edges loose. They are sticky.

It's getting the exhaust pipe to release that is my problem. Have noticed that looking down the pipe i don't see a straight shot, looks bent. It's that correct?

[tacchino]

Picture down the pipe

[tacchino]

Well, i didn't solve it but found that after removing the four screws on the exhaust i could with some effort rotate the door to horizontal and then access the sail switch.

[brroberts]

My went was the hardest part. I don’t remember using anything but more force than I wanted. It came loose, and nothing broke. It went back easy. New Dinosaur board came today. Not sure when I’ll do the install. Probably not before September.

[BobG]

I had trouble opening the hot water heater door because sealant/bedding used to seal the flange around the exterior of the heater case had softened due to heat and oozed out. It glued the door shut. I had to cut the sealant away from the joint and then pried the door open. If I could have heated it a little, I think that would have helped.

When I recently had to service the sail switch on the furnace I was concerned about having the same problem with its door. I didn't. There was no ooze out of the sealant but it did appear that the same sealant was used. So, for those who have a situation where it seems that the door is glued shut, look to see if sealant has oozed out to contact the edge of the door. If it has, maybe gently warm it to make it more pliant. When the door is opened remove the excess sealant/bedding.

[kathytony1985]

Thanks for the tip BobG. We will give that a try!