Rheem furnace cracked exhaust housing - Can it be repaired??

[TAHUSKER]

Hello:

We had to have an HVAC guy come out because the ceramic igniter went out on our Rheem furnace. While he was here, he pointed out that the plastic exhaust housing had a small crack in it. The guy wanted $1,000 to replace it--which seemed ridiculous to me. Can that crack be repaired at all with some kind of high temperature sealant/epoxy or something? Or is replacing it the only safe way to go?

Also, the guy told me that it's a really easy thing to replace . . . 4 screws and a couple snap-on connectors. But he also told me that you can't buy the replacement part unless you're a licensed HVAC person/company. Is that true as well? If I have to replace it, is there noplace that I could order this part and just swap it out myself?

Appreciate any comments.

Here's a pic of what's cracked:

[hvacwiz]

1000$ for that repair? No way, this guy is trying to rip you off. You can get the part yourself, he is feeding you a line of bull saying you cant. try to go to Grainger Industrial Supply and see what the have. Have your model# handy.

[TAHUSKER]

Thank you for your response . . . I have been searching around a bit and will contact Grainger as well. Found a couple replacement parts that seem to be the correct one on the web as well--apparently this is a "Draft Inducer Blower"? The ones I have found are right around $200 or so.

Is this as easy a replacement as it looks? Seems like you just remove the screws, pull it off, transfer the snap-on wire connectors, and just pop the replacement back on. Is there anything "tricky" inside the furnace that this attaches to that would provide any "gotchas" for an average do-it-yourselfer? Like something that this attaches to internally that would be hard to line up and reattach for the new one?

[jnaas2]

You are right it is a induced draft blower there will be new gaskets that come with it and its a simple repair. This info will cost you 250.00 only a 1/4 of what the other guy wanted, what a deal!!!!!!