Speedy Jim wrote:

BTW, 10 year life on a heat exchanger doesn't say much
for Rheem, does it? Or is it Ream...

LOL. I don't know what's considered normal life for any of the
components I've had to replace: MCU, IDB, igniter, and now this.

I saw the suggestion that my furnace had been abused. Let me say that
I've been very good about changing filters and keeping the unit clean
-- and very bad about calling a pro for 'regular maintenace.'

Maybe one of the pros here can explain just what this 'regular
maintenance' involves and how it would have prevented the hole in my
heat exchanger.

Regards,
Heatless