Announcement made October 19, 1999
General Electric Appliances is recalling GE and Hotpoint brand dishwashers manufactured between April 1983 in January 1989. The dishwashers have a slide switch that allows consumers to choose between heat drying and energy saver functions. Over time, the slide switch can melt and ignite, presenting a fire hazard.
The GE and Hotpoint dishwashers that are being recalled are models GSD500D, GSD500G, GSD540, HDA467, HDA477, or HDA487 with a serial number that has a second letter of A, M, R, S, T, V or Z (for example BM12345). The model and serial numbers are located on a rectangular label that is on either the right or left front edge of the inner tub. The GE or Hotpoint brand name is on the front of the dishwasher.
Stop using these dishwashers immediately. Keep the dishwasher door unlatched to prevent the flow of electric current from latch to the slide switch.
GE is offering consumers a rebate toward the purchase of a new dishwasher.
To contact GE call I-800-599-2929
Announcement made August 30, 1999
Amana is recalling gas fueled, downdraft ranges because the oven locking mechanism could unlock prematurely during the self-contained cycle, allowing the oven door to be opened. Burn injuries are possible to consumers if they are exposed to these high oven temperatures.
These Amana gas ranges have model numbers AGDS901E and AGDS901WW located on the left side of the range below the oven and behind the utility drawer. The ranges are gas fueled, freestanding models. The top cooking surface has two gas burners on the left side, a gas grill on the right side, and the downdraft vent in between. The ranges come in either black or white. The name, AMANA is written above the clock on these ranges.
Major department and appliance stores sold these gas ranges nationwide from October 1995 to July 1999 for between $1,500 and $1,600.
Do not use the self-cleaning feature. However, the ranges may be used for cooking.
Contact Amana at 1-800-266-3535 to arrange a free service call to replace the self-cleaning locking mechanism.
Lennox Industries Inc., the maker of Lennox Pulse furnaces, announced it has set up a free program to inspect Lennox furnaces installed from 1982 to 1989 to check for carbon monoxide leaks.
According to Bob Schjerven, president and chief operating officer for Lennox, dealers have reported increased instances of corrosion in some Pulse furnace heat exchangers in units installed before 1990.
As part of the inspection program, Lennox was providing a free AIM Safety carbon monoxide detector. Unfortunately, this program terminated in 1999, although existing systems of this type need to be checked.
To identify a Pulse furnace, look for its name on the door. If the unit is a Pulse 21 furnace, it was manufactured after 1990 and is not part of the inspection program.
For those with Lennox furnaces without the Pulse 21 name, the next step is to remove the front door and look for the nametag. These tags are usually placed on the inside cabinet wall on the left side of the furnace.
Locate the model number on the tag (either G14 or GSR14 followed by a series of numbers and letters) and the serial number on a tag below the nametag.
If you have one of these systems installed between 1982 and 1989, we urge to schedule a furnace and safety check with an independent professional heating contractor ASAP.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, along with the vent pipe, furnace and boiler industries, reminds consumers of a program to replace – at no cost to appliance owners – high temperature plastic vent (HTPV) pipe on certain natural gas or propane-fueled furnaces or boilers installed after 1987. An estimated 250,000 faulty HTPV pipe systems were attached to gas or propane furnaces or boilers in consumers' homes. The HTPV pipes could crack or separate at the joints and leak carbon monoxide (CO), a major threat to the health of your family. To determine whether you have HTPV pipe systems that are subject to this program, follow these simple steps.
Check the vent pipes attached to your natural gas or propane-fueled furnace or boiler. Vent pipes subject to this recall program include:
Check the location of these vent pipes.
After checking the vent pipes, call the toll-free recall program telephone line at 1-800-758-3688, 7 a.m. - 11 p.m., seven days a week.
A representative will verify that your HTPV pipe system is subject to this recall program, plus provide you with an ID number and the names of participating contractors to call for repairs.
Consumers with eligible systems will receive new, professionally installed venting systems free of charge. Consumers who have replaced their HTPV systems may be eligible for reimbursement for some or all of the replacement costs. The following manufacturers are participating in this program:
| Armstrong Air Conditioning Inc. | Bard Manufacturing Co. |
| Burnham Corp. | Consolidated Industries |
| Crown Boiler Co. | Dunkirk Radiator Corp. |
| Evcon Industries Inc. | Hart & Cooley Inc. |
| Heat Controller Inc. | International Comfort Products Corp. (USA) |
| Lennox Industries Inc. | Nordyne Inc. |
| Pennco Inc. | Plexco Inc. |
| Raypak Inc. | Rheem Manufacturing Co. |
| Slant/Fin Corp. | The Ducane Co. Inc. |
| The Trane Co. | Thermo Products Inc |
| Trianco-Heatmaker Inc. | Utica Boilers Inc. |
| Vaillant Corp. | Weil-McLain |
| Westcast Inc. | York International Corp. |
Name of PRODUCT: Ultra 155 & Ultra 230 Gas Boilers
Units: 1,700 Manufacturer: The Weil-McLain Company of Michigan City, Ind.
Hazard: Weil-McLain has determined that the gas valve mounting screws on the recalled boilers may have not been fully tightened during the assembly process and may have come loose in transportation. Weil-McLain is concerned that loose gas fittings could result in leaking gas, fire and/or explosions that could cause bodily injuries or property damage.
INCIDENTS/INJURIES: None reported.
Description: The Ultra 155 & Ultra 230 Gas Boilers are condensing high- efficient gas-fired boilers for space heating. They have 93% operating efficiency and use a cast aluminum, mono block heat exchanger packaged in a glossy silver/flat black jacket.
Sold: Nationally at plumbing and heating wholesale distributors to plumbers and contractors from December 2002 through February 2003 for approximately $4500.
WHAT TO DO: Weil-McLain is providing distributors and installers with a "Safety Notice" package for each boiler containing instructions, replacement screws and a reimbursement form. Installers are also asked to tighten the gas valve union. Installers will be reimbursed $50 for each boiler they inspect.
Consumer Contact: Call Weil-McLain at 219-879-6561 between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, and ask for Consumer Relations,
or visit the firm's web site at www.weil-mclain.com.