Janitrol heater on a PA 30B

[Randy Johnson]

My heater has been red tagged in two places and has a leaking fuel control valve. I'm think it's best to have the whole unit rebuilt. I live in New England and will need it working in a few months!

Any good ideas about who could do the work?

[SLIMDREDGER]

There is a company at Redding, CA that overhauls heaters. I can't come up with their name...but they know the business. I got good advice and parfts from them years ago and I think they are still there. ahp

[N3322G]

There are several options - some will avoid the repetitive ADs.

I've used Harold Haskins Jr at http://haroldhaskinsinc.com/home.html and my Mom, previous owner, used Harold Haskins Sr. Highly recommend.

[Kristin Winter]

I believe that Hartzell now owns them and probably can overhaul them. They have a new burner can that I believe terminates the AD. You might want to check with them on that. The other shops can install the new burner can as well, I believe.

[Randy Johnson]

Outstanding..thanks

[Don Nelson]

Randy,
Recommended by a local shop, I just got an overhaul exchange blower motor for my Janitrol from Aircraft Heating and Electrical, in Redding CA. Haven't tried it yet, but must be from same shop Al mentions. Very friendly. Their #, fwiw:
530-246-4328.
Best, Don

[Randy Johnson]

Thanks Don.

[Randy Johnson]

Just learned the AD requires a leaky fuel control unit replacement to be a new, not used or rebuilt, replacement. Cost is a little under $700. Ugh.

[Kristin Winter]

Specifically it requires a unit with a manufacture date later than 2002. Does Kelly still own these or did Hartzell buy them up? If the manufacturer rebuilds yours, then you should be good, but I would ask.

[Randy Johnson]

According to Mr. Haskins you can only buy new pressure regulators. They aren't rebuilt anymore because of the AD. Looks like about $2k for a rebuild with new fuel regulator and air pressure valve. That doesn't include replacing the can to avoid future pressure AD. That's another grand.

[Randy Johnson]

Heater removed and shipped for rebuild. The things we do for heat in a New England winter!

Bought this plane in Florida where the heater had been red tagged forever.

[N3322G]

Smart time of the year to do it.

With lots of solar heating - even in DFW area TX winters, we rarely use the heater more than an hour or so a year. Bothered me to spend the same as what you are a couple of years back but hey, when you want heat, you'd pay about anything would'nt you?

[Randy Johnson]

Yup!

[Randy Johnson]

I wanted to follow up for those who are interested in costs and issues regarding a heater rebuild in 2015.

I bought my twinco in Florida and knew it had a red tagged heater system. In Florida heat is easy to do without but I'm in Boston now and it's serious business. Initially I had budgeted about $2500 for the rebuild itself, including shipping. As you can see I missed it...by a lot!

Heater s/n1670715 modified to a 20D35-1....$1800
Blower.......................................................$0
Motor, OHC ................................................$450
Labor.........................................................$90
Regulator, new, with exchange......................$750
Shipping......................................................$85

Grand Total.....$3125 for the actual heater rebuild itself

The rebuild was completed by Aircraft Heating and Electrical, Inc. out of Redding, CA.

When I mentioned the final cost was well over the quote they reminded me that the blower motor is a separate system from the typical heater rebuild. I also learned that the regulator, once inop, can't be rebuilt per the FAA so a new one, built in 2002 or later, I believe, was required. Also I should mention the modification included a new ceramic heater can, avoiding the expensive testing required regularly. To the company's credit, they did give me a $250 goodwill credit when I asked for sticker shock relief. It was much appreciated and left me with a very positive impression. Their quote actually was accurate, my understanding of what was included in the modification was not.

I estimate for labor to uninstall old unit, ship, test new mod and re-install is about $700. All in all, at least for me, this was a $4k fix. But hey, at 10k feet and in the middle of a New England winter..the heat is priceless.

Hopefully this is helpful to the next Comanche owner who's considering this repair.