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lamopar's avatar
lamopar
Explorer
Nov 21, 2018

Atwood Hydro Flame 8520, replace or fix?

I have a 2011 RV with the Atwood heater. It won't continue to run and after opening up I find the burner is falling apart. I don't know if I have a problem with the board or any other parts also. When I am looking at replacement parts it shows the burner is not available but another may fit which I am checking. All in all it appears I can replace most of the replacement parts for ~ $150-$175 with new units running ~ $500. Just wondering if I replace all the valves and burner/igniter and switches do I still have an old furnace and newer unit would heat my RV much better. I hate to put a bunch of new parts in an old furnace when for a few more dollars I could get a much more efficient unit that blows air much better.

So what would you do if money was not a major issue?

Thanks, Wally

26 Replies

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  • Chris_Bryant's avatar
    Chris_Bryant
    Explorer II
    Nov 21, 2018
    The biggest non repairable problem I find with those is the exhaust tube gets rusted tight.
    While not recommended by Dometic/Atwood/Hydroflame/Terra Labs, you can use a new style burner without issue.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Nov 21, 2018
    If the burner is falling apart I'd worry about the heat exchanger (The part that seperates the CO in the unit's exhaust from YOU keeping you alive) I'd go ahead and repalce.
  • lamopar's avatar
    lamopar
    Explorer
    Nov 21, 2018
    I bought the toy hauler used in 2012 so it was only with someone else for about a year. We have had it the last 6 years. It seems to work ok until this event happened this last weekend out. We camp in the trailer during ski season at the resort on weekends so I can't afford to have a problem allowing the trailer to freeze up and break things.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Nov 21, 2018
    I am going the other way. If the unit is solid without any rust, I would be fixing it.
    These people in Portland should have the parts and expertise for you.Laurelhurst Distributors
    2011 model should not be in that bad of shape. Did you get rig new or used?
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Nov 21, 2018
    I have an 8531 in the 1991 Class C. (amazing you have an 8520 in your fairly new rig!) IMO get new!

    The burner in ours was rusting out so lots of trouble with it. (The screen with the little holes in it was mostly gone so the flame was all over the place, confusing the igniter/temp set.)

    No luck getting a burner at first and found out they are very different in different 85xx sizes so be careful there. I eventually found a used 8531 in a garage sale for low price, and swiped the burner out of that. The furnace still acts up a little. Sometimes the fan comes on and no heat, so have to go to the thermostat and switch off, wait, then switch on and now it ignites properly. Most of the time it works right though.

    I was on the point of getting a new replacement. I recommend doing that for sure. Do note that the new ones are longer in the back where the ducts go, so you need room back there so it will fit.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Nov 21, 2018
    Personally I would go for the new furnace. From my experience with a water heater, once you start down the repair road it never ends.

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