Introduction
The Atwood 8531 furnace is a common type of furnace used in recreational vehicles (RVs) for heating. Despite its popularity and reliability, the Atwood 8531 furnace is not immune to problems, and issues can materialize over time and regular usage.
Hence why this article has been constructed to illustrate the most commonly associated problems and how to resolve them expeditiously.
Atwood 8531 Furnace Troubleshooting
1. Fuel Line Blockage
One of the most common problems with the Atwood 8531 furnace is that it will not ignite after continual attempts. Unfortunately, this can be a result of a number of problems, although some are more common than others.
This can be caused by a variety of factors, all of which require specific attention. A clogged fuel line is one of the most common ignition issues. Often these furnaces are powered by onboard storage of propane gas.
This is an excellent fuel for RV enthusiasts as it is relatively cheap and very light when stored at pressure. However, these onboard storage tanks and valves can fall into disrepair after several years of use, exposed to harsh traveling conditions.
Foreign material can get trapped in the fuel lines, which will block adequate flow to allow the furnace to ignite fully. The best means of tackling this issue would be to serve all of the valves and fuel lines to guarantee that there are no obvious blockages or issues.
2. Ignition Spark
Atwood 8351 furnaces are ignited by using an electrical spark-based ignition system . The ignition sequence requires a burst of propane gas into the combustion chamber, which is filled before an electrical spark is used to ignite the fuel and continually burn the propane to create heat.
However, this primitive ignition system is powered by an internal, replaceable battery pack.
When the battery power runs low, it will not be immediately obvious as there is no defined control board error indicator. The most obvious symptoms will begin with a sluggish ignition which requires several attempts to ignite.
Over time it will become increasingly ineffective, and eventually, no spark will be identifiable. To resolve this, replace the batteries inside the pack, and you should find that the initial sequence works optimally.
3. Control Board
The Atwood 8531 Furnace utilizes a control board to regulate gas flow and temperature changes. Its simple onboard computer is vital for its efficiency and functionality. However, this primitive system is prone to developing faults and issues as it ages.
Many customers have suggested that its operating environment encourages faults to occur. The control board is an integrated element of the furnace which means its temperature fluctuates between extreme cold, when not in use and high temperature when the furnace is in operation.
This will expand and contract the board, which will warp and damage it over time. As this happens, some of the basic control functions may become compromised. Everything from inaccurate temperature goals and incorrect errors displayed to generally failing are all possible outcomes as the board begins to fail.
The only effective means of rectifying this issue is to replace the control board. Ideally, this job would be carried out by an experienced technician t ensure the safest possible conditions.
4. Clogged Air Filter
Another common problem with the Atwood 8531 furnace is that it goes out after a short period of time. In this instance, it is vital first to inspect the fuel levels. Assuming there is adequate fuel left in the tank, then there is likely to be a more severe fault.
In simple terms, the Atwood 8531 furnace created a controlled fire as a means of generating heat. Therefore, the basic requirements for fire must be met for it to function. Fire requires ignition, fuel, and oxygen to maintain itself. Should any of the three crucial elements be missing, the fire will either go out or not start.
If the furnace is igniting but going out after a short period, it is essential to confirm that it is receiving enough air. The Atwood 8531 has an air filter that has an air inlet as well as a filtering system to allow clean air flow to help fuel the fire. However, these filter is renowned for clogging over time.
The air filter is designed to collect particles that can eventually build up and ultimately block the inlet over long periods of time. Like many potential furnace problems, the best method to tackle this issue is to fully service the unit, ensuring that the filter is replaced and the inlet is thoroughly cleaned.
5. Incorrect Temperature
In some cases, the Atwood 8531 furnace has been reported to operate normally but not produce the required temperature. This is often puzzling for owners as there are often no obvious signs of why it has failed. However, this is most often the result of two main issues.
Firstly, a lack of heat can be due to a malfunctioning thermostat. When it fails, the required temperature signal is not sent to the control board to regulate the gas input appropriately. Often this will result in the furnace being on and warm but never heating to the point that it will warm the RV
Alternatively, this could be due to the furnace blower failing. There is an inlet for airflow to fuel the internal flame, which requires a counterpart, the air outlet. This is a space at the bottom of the furnace that is designed to push warm air out to complete the airflow cycle.
However, due to its proximity to the ground, it is prone to developing blockages from particles being accidentally pushed into it, preventing the warm air from escaping and easily as it should.
6. The furnace makes strange noises.
If the Atwood 8531 furnace makes strange noises while running, it could indicate a problem with the blower or a problem with the furnace’s combustion chamber .
If the furnace makes strange noises, it is recommended to check the blower and combustion chamber, which may be storing unwanted material or have a loose securing bolt. In either case, it is recommended that a professional technician is used to tackle this potentially hazardous issue fully.
7. Furnace Cycles On and Off
If the Atwood 8531 furnace cycles on and off frequently, it is a clear indication that there is a problem with the thermostat or a malfunctioning flame sensor.
A flame sensor is a simple contraption that is internally mounted next to the gas outlet valve in the combustion chamber. This sensor is designed to detect the presence of a flame to ensure that the gas passed into the system is being safely ignited.
This is a crucial safety mechanism that prevents highly flammable propane gas from being pushed into the RV, causing a highly dangerous environment. When the flame detector does not detect a flame it will send a signal to the control board, which will shut off the gas supply instantly.
However, should this sensor develops a fault, it can send this signal unnecessarily, causing a confusing situation for the owner. Due to the malfunction, there will be no error code present for the user, which means it is one of the more challenging issues to diagnose.
Should the gas cycle be temperamental, it could be due to the volume of CO2 in the RV cabin. It is an unusual fault, but customers have stated that this is believed to be the source of several of the Atwood 8531 furnaces’ malfunctions.
A byproduct of the gas burning, as well as human breathing, will produce an atmosphere that is increasingly dense with CO2. Additional CO2 will dilute the level of oxygen in the air, which will compromise the flames being produced in the furnace.
Most often, this happens in extremely cold conditions where RV travelers block all air ventilation and blast the furnace to keep warm.
Therefore, the best option is to make sure there is at least some airflow available in the RV at all times to guarantee the furnace operates as expected and to provide the safest possible environment for the occupants inside.
Conclusion
Atwood is known for producing quality appliances for a range of RV applications. This remains true for the 8531 model furnace, as it is renowned for its reliability and robust design, and build quality.
However, like all heating systems, it can experience problems that must be addressed assertively to ensure the unit functions adequately. The majority of the problems listed above revolve around a component failure or, more often, a lack of regular servicing and maintenance.
Therefore, should an ongoing problem occur, then it is recommended to have the furnace serviced by an experienced RV technician.
Furnace runs fine although it has never been very efficient. My problem is that less than five minutes after it starts it begins to vibrate. Too noisy to leave on.
My furnace will come on if I push the reset ..but goes off after a few minutes.what should I check fo?
I had same problem. I replaced the re-set button. (2 bucks) it works perfect now
The heater failed to come on when the thermostat was turned on. No power to the heater. I tried shorting the thermostat and the heater still does not come on. I checked the 12 volt fuse and I checked the reset button nothing. The fan doesn’t even come on on the control board there’s an LED and it’s blank it doesn’t do anything. Any ideas?