The repairman came and replaced the magnetron. While heating a bag of popcorn flames were noted coming from the magnetron area. Original magnetron model: LG 2M246 050GF. Replaced with magnetron model: QBP 2M240J (FN). Comments?
Generally when that happens the microwave is toast! I would say it was either a defective part or faulty install.
Nat
activate please
Would it be worth a try to order a new magnetron from AppliancePartsPro.com and see if that works? If so, what part number do you recommend?
I remember reading an old GE service bullitin that the mags were arcing and the waveguide was getting trashed There is a kit that came with a new mag and antena but if the wave guide was damaged to the point the kit wouldn’t help and the unit had to be replaced So if he just slapped a mag in it and didn’t inspect the antenna or wave guide for arcing it’s really arced now Once carbon build up is present it will continue to arc until holes are blown it it, But again dont know if your microhood falls inthe service flash but if flames were coming out of it lol you may have bigger probs than a magnetron that part number he replaced it with appears to be an LG or Goldstar Mag. its prob right The part number to mag kit is WB27X10489 a lot of those goldstar mags were crap when they got hot the magnets cracked or it blew a hole in the end of it. Popcorn and potatoes are the worst things a person can heat in a microwave because they get so dang[COLOR=red] HOT!!![/COLOR]
The repairman came and removed the newly installed magnetron. The cylindrical tip that faces the inside of the microwave was melted and burnt. He claims that the problem was grease on the inside of the microwave. My microwave is pristine, so I don’t believe him. What does it mean that the mags were arcing? And what is the waveguard?
The waveguide is what the microwaves travel through and the antenna sturs them up I gaurantee if it wasn’t arched before it is now. Like I mentioned in earler post if he used an old stock mag it may have been defective from the get go or What he says holds some truth to it.But inside may have been clean but there could of been grease in the waveguide and thats what caused it. Thats why it’s important to look at the antenna and wave guide and see what kind of damage it suffered
So, Nat, do you believe the microwave is beyond repair and if so, do you feel the repair company is at fault and should replace the microwave?
So are you recommending we get someone out her to look at the antenna and waveguide?
Could you recommend a reliable appliance repair service out here in Mission Viejo, CA?
WEll The repairman that did it before doesn’t offer any warranty on his repair? I would call Sears they are reputable enough.You know you can dispute with the repairman once he knows you know what you are talking about from what I told you. Stand right there have him remove the mag then look inside the hole where it mounted you will see whether it is arced or not The antenna is accesable from the inside it’s up there behind the round plate in the ceiling if that is the style you have. A magnetron wont blowup like that from grease inside microwave the grease inside will just cook. But grease inside the waveguide definely will cause a mag to burnout like that, then on the otherhand those Goldstar mags were always blowing the end off Thats why it is also important that the mag he used hasn’t been sitting on his shelf or riding in his truck for a long period of time. Because LG fixed the crappy mag problem
Thank you for your help and patience in educating me on microwave terminology, parts, etc.
you’re welcome
After taking another look, I think he may have put the wrong mag in. It was not the same in appearance as the original (pictures shown below). After removing the mag the second time, I checked for arcs and holes inside the wave guide, no grease or carbon, but now is slightly burnt (mild brown) surface is smooth no holes just pin sized dots from the multiple arcs as shown in the picture below, and as a side note: the cover on the inside of the microwave covering the wave guide is bent/cracked but not broken. Have any advice on how and if I can still use this microwave? Thank you for your help; it is greatly appreciated. [FONT=Wingdings]:)[/FONT]
7 layered original magnetron:
5 layered “replacement magnetron”:
I’m not quite sure if the layers have anything to do with the performance of the mag, I’m assuming it does
Picture inside waveguide after removing the mag:
Planinka
all the carbon deposits is what blew the mag up because it was arching and the antenna needs replaced If you sand that and you have to get it all you can repaint it if you cant the microwave is toast dont leave any grains of sand off the sandpaper either cuz it will arch. So paint it the it needs a mag and antenna but you are borderline on whether its any good or not