Oven element blown, fan question

[bernardgreen]

By overheating I meant getting hot enough to even glow red not melt.

The picture shows the thermostat close enough to the element to be able to prevent it overheating if the fan is not running. Heating of the thermostat by radiation from the overheating element when the fan has failed.

In that design the fan should be running all the time the oven is being used in hot air mode.

 

[tonysab]

Thanks to all for their advice. One final question, I have sourced a replacement part from espares (http://www.espares.co.uk/product/es555487/fan-oven-element) which I don't think is an original part but seems highly rated, however I notice it says the tags are 18mm apart whereas my original one is 23mm, does this matter or does it just fit into a gap as opposed to specific holes when replacing it? Thanks again.

 

[FDJ]

Its either the heater element that is open circuit OR possibly the thermostat/control.
You can easily check the element continuity using a multimeter but isolate the supply and take one of the connections off first.

I have replaced one like this with a generic spare and you may have to do some metalwork on the hole through the back if the spacing is different.
It depends on what hole is under the element flange mounting.

Frank

 

[EFLImpudence]

I notice it says the tags are 18mm apart whereas my original one is 23mm, does this matter or does it just fit into a gap as opposed to specific holes when replacing it? Thanks again.

If you mean the electrical connections, that won't matter.

It's the screw holes or bolts that may prevent it being fitted (without alteration).

 

[pompeygit]

Sounds like the wrong element has been sent out. I've replaced many of these and the usual drill is take the oven model type and order a suitable element to suit. As to the fan it should come on immediately. I've got a sticky one in my oven that doesn't always come on as it should do. I tap the impeller with one of those long matchsticks and it starts immediately. I must get round to replacing the thing.

 

[tonysab]

OK I sent off for the proper element as opposed to a cheaper one, as it had the tags spaced correctly. Of course once I got the back off the oven it transpired that it wouldn't have mattered as there was just a gap for the tags to pop through instead of individual holes. Anyway.....all seems to be ok and working again, except I'm still a bit concerned about the fan. So previously this used to take maybe 10-15 minutes to kick in. When the old element blew, turning the oven on saw the fan kick in immediately which I thought was interesting. Replaced the element and the fan still continued to come on immediately, great. Maybe the duff element somehow caused the fan to delay coming on? Anyhow now after a week or so I've noticed the fan doesn't come on immediately all the time, had a play yesterday and sprayed it with WD-40, it was a little more consistent in coming on immediately, but again today sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. I'm not sure if this is a fan motor problem or not, it's odd though that it worked all the time when the element was blown. I tried to undo the nut to take the blade off but couldn't as it was too tight! So I'm not sure if its the motor getting stuck or something or the blade just not being able to turn. I suppose only getting the back off and testing the motor electrics would answer this but I'm curious as to the fact it worked when the element had blown. Any advice greatfully received as always, thanks.

 

[pompeygit]

When the fan works or doesn't work is pure coincidence. Fan should come on immediately you turn dial to fan assisted setting. If you switch to grille setting then the fan will not come on.

Clearly the fan is the next thing to be replaced on your maintenance agenda.

 

[tonysab]

Blimey. Thanks for the advice. Now here's the thing, so tonight we turn the oven on, no fan comes on, leave it 10 mins to heat up, opened the oven door to check, fan still not on but plenty of smoke in the oven! Eventually after a few more minutes the fan kicks in and the smoke clears and all is well again. This was always the pattern for the past few months until the element blew. Question is - what is causing the smoke - oven was recently cleaned so don't think it's anything like that. Even if the fan or fan motor was broken I would not have thought this would affect the element, it just means it's a non fan oven doesn't it? I'm just a bit apprehensive about the new element blowing again. Thanks.

 

[tonysab]

One other thing I keep meaning to mention is when I replaced the element last week I noticed all the insulation around the back of the fan area and motor appeared to be burnt, well it looked burnt anyway, I wasn't sure if it was just dirt but I think it was scorched. Would this have been a result of the element blowing or a possible indication of the fan motor playing up? This was inside the back panel of the oven.

 

[tonysab]

Here is a picture of what I am on about regarding the burnt insulation. TBH looking at the fan motor I reckon it would be worth just taking it off initially and giving it a jolly good clean and see how that goes before forking out £50-60 for a new one.

Untitled

• tonysab
• 19 Mar 2014
• 1

 

[Lectrician]

New element coated in wax?

 

[tonysab]

Thanks for the reply. I don't think it is that, because -

a) occasionally the fan will kick in straightaway, then there is no smoke. We only get smoke when the fan doesn't kick in.

b) this was exactly what had been happening with the previous element. I'm hoping there's no link between the fan not working/smoke appearing and the element blowing. TBH we had been having the problem with the fan for probably a good year until the element blew.

I think I will try and take the fan motor off and give it a good clean at the weekend as it does look a bit gunked up in that photo. Still not sure about the burn/scorch marks on the insulation, it looks more like a syrup type mess though, imagine black candy floss and that seems to be the sort of texture of it.

 

[bernardgreen]

You can try cleaning the fan but the new life will be short if the bearings are worn. If they are sintered sleeve bearing you might be able to re-lub the bearings wigh high temperature oil saturated into the sintered sleeve but is it worth the effort ?

There is a label on the motor, if it gives the name of the fan maker then try buying direct from them or from one of their stockists. For my old Neff Circo Therm the replacement fan from RS Components was about half the price of the identical fan from Neff stockists.

 

[stash2014]

Thanks for the reply. I don't think it is that, because -

a) occasionally the fan will kick in straightaway, then there is no smoke. We only get smoke when the fan doesn't kick in.

b) this was exactly what had been happening with the previous element. I'm hoping there's no link between the fan not working/smoke appearing and the element blowing. TBH we had been having the problem with the fan for probably a good year until the element blew.

I think I will try and take the fan motor off and give it a good clean at the weekend as it does look a bit gunked up in that photo. Still not sure about the burn/scorch marks on the insulation, it looks more like a syrup type mess though, imagine black candy floss and that seems to be the sort of texture of it.

This looks like a Leisure range cooker, is it ? I was having the same trouble with the fan not starting straight away (it used to) then yesterday the missus said it made a quick buzz noise now the clock doesnt work, the element looks split to me so I am hoping changing the element & fan motor will bring the clock back on, did you have any joy ??? Thanks

 

[flameport]

Replying to ancient discussions from five years ago is neither necessary or helpful.