smokey gas pack!!!

[oren]

My Ruud gas pack unit has alot of smut around the exhaust vent and when it is on it has a strong odor coming from it. I was wondering how hard it would be for me to take the burner out and clean it, if not replace it. The unit is about 10 years old and has been cleaned one time, but never smoked or smuted up until this year. I am a pretty good handman but not sure if i should tackle this or not.....Thanks, for all your help ....Oren :confused:

[Grady]

If it sooted up, this is not something you need to do yourself. At ten years old, I would not at all be surprised if the heat exchanger had gone bad. Gas packs just don't last like furnaces inside the house. You need to call a local service company & have them do a complete cleaning & inspection.