Distro Fan Has a Gap

The fan on my Alaska 140 seems to have a gap between the upper horn of the fan and the stove inlet. Seems to be alot of air coming from this area when the fan is up and running to blow into the duct work.

Is this a type of relief of pressure thing or should I seal it up with tape and capture the escaping air that would be sent around the fire box.

Its the area to the left on the bottom picture.

I have attached some pics to get an idea of what I mean.

Thanks

I would think that gap isn't needed, maybe an aftermarket fan was installed on the stove. That gap would leave your stove somewhat inefficient since a lot of air that should be transferring heat from the stove to your house is not even making it through the stove.

Since that gap is so big, I would try to use some expanding foam first to fill the void, then you have something to support the tape a little better across (even if the tap doesn't stick to the foam). The foam may seal it sufficiently by itself though.

I saw this exact thing on a stove I worked on. It had been sealed previously with expanding foam. It was ugly but it worked just fine.

I would try a piece of tin, or lightweight angle. Just zip screw to face of the flange on the rear, you could put under the lip and have it extend down to the the blower housing. I am fussy and do not like the spray foam idea, makes maintenance awkward if try to remove the fan.

I have a 140 Dual Feed also. Thanks for the heads-up on the blower gap Leadslingingdaddy. I just went down stairs, pulled the doghouse off to check that gap. I measured my gap at 1/8 inch, it's a lot smaller than it looks because the blower goes up into that air diverter piece. Anyway my solution was gorilla tape! When I put the furnace together a few weeks ago, I noticed a fairly large gap in the top front. I stuffed a piece of 3/4 inch rope gasket in to seal that. Same thing for the very bottom of the side bolt on air jackets, larg gap there too. After tapping up the blower, I did not notice any diferance in the amount of air coming out of my ductwork upstairs. I hope this helps.

-Don

It may not be noticeable at the moment but having the fan run x number of hours per day all winter long, the "air conservation" you just did should equate to some coal being saved.

That is a very good point WNYrob. I guess not just coal savings, but electricity savings also!

-Don