Ask us a Boiler Questions
Posted in Ask Boiler Questions by Boiler Guy on March 4th, 2008 Boiler Questions
Please ask your boiler questions here or contact us with any questions or comments you may have. If you don’t agree with our answers or advice, by all means, let us know!
Over the years, we have answered many questions related to boiler operation, maintenance and design sent to us via email. Issues covered have included water quality, proper blowdown procedures, combustion settings and many more. Some of these questions and answers can be found at the following link –
http://www.mckenziecorp.com/boiler_questions.htm
We had also developed a boiler tips page to assist boiler owners in some of the more common questions and topics we are often asked about. These can be found on our boiler tips page located at the following link –
http://www.mckenziecorp.com/boiler_tips.htm
We offer these links to you so that you may get a better idea of how we can lend assistance. We don’t have all the answers, but will do our best to get them for you.
DON’T FORGET TO GIVE US THE BOILER MANUFACTURER.
Charley Yepez said,
March 7, 2008 @ 7:33 pm
If the cast iron tank of a boiler has a crack in it. Can it be repaired or patched up with anything thats up to code, Or does the whole boiler need to be replaced?
Boiler Guy said,
March 7, 2008 @ 8:52 pm
Charley,
You can not weld a cast iron boiler to repair it and I know of no patches that can be applied to solve your problem. If you have a sectional cast iron boiler, the cracked section can be removed and replaced. This would allow you to repair what you have without buying a complete new boiler.
Here is a link to a Weil McLain Boiler parts sheet that shows the sections I mentioned above -
http://www.weil-mclain.com/professionals/services/current/cgi.pdf
Maybe if we knew the manufacturer of your boiler we could help you with additional information.
Ladd said,
March 19, 2008 @ 1:24 am
1st. great blog . The other Q&A is good info.
I have a weil-mclain 788 low pressure steam boiler.(1999)
It has a WR 8.3-0-15 Gordin-Piatt burner.
What is the best/cheapest way to convert from oil to nat. gas?
Thank you in advance
Ladd
Boiler Guy said,
March 19, 2008 @ 1:16 pm
Dear Ladd,
Thank so much for your compliment on our blog! We are glad you like it!
Now, to answer your question…
If your burner is as old as your boiler (Vintage 1999) we think you would be better off buying a new burner. The controls that are on your existing burner are, no doubt, obsolete by today’s standards. Maybe the Gordon Piatt Model R burner would be a good replacement.
http://www.johnzink.com/products/burners/pdfs/broch_gp_model_r.pdf
Contact your local Gordon Piatt sales representative to get a price on a new burner and to discuss your switch from oil to gas. Use this link to find the G-P rep closest to you -
http://www.johnzink.com/products/burners/html_gp/burn_gp_sales.htm
Please let us know what you decided and thanks again for your post.
David Hawley said,
April 9, 2008 @ 6:08 pm
Hi thanks for the site! I have a50 HP Paterson Kelley hot water heating boiler, and I am being told thta i must have an inspection anualy, beyond the anual service to be in compliance with Michigan dept. of labor &economic growth boiler code R408.4027. Can you shed any light as to westher this is true or not. Thanks David Hawley
Boiler Guy said,
April 10, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
Dear David,
We are not familiar with the laws in Michigan and suggest that you contact your local boiler inspector for clarification. You should also contact your local Patteron Kelley representative for assistance. Here is a link to their web site -
http://www.howleyagency.com/
Hope that this helps.
Andy said,
April 12, 2008 @ 5:17 pm
I have a problem with my 12 year old Burnham RS-110 boiler that is driving me CRAZY. The pressure in the boiler slowly climbs to 25-30 PSI when firing up to the 180 degree temperature the aquastat is set for(this happens even with the water turned off to the boiler). I let out an inch of water in a 5 gallon bucket which lowers the boiler pressure to 15 PSI. but when I come back the next day the boiler climbs back up to 25-30 PSI. (it once climbed to 35 PSI when the boiler overran to 210 degrees in the winter and leaked through my expansion tank seam)
I replaced the boiler feed valve(I even re-adjusted it for lower than 12 PSI when boiler is cold), the #30 expansion tank, the air relief valve, the pressure relief valve, the hot water coil, I’ve purge the air from the system. My house is 2 floors @2200 square feet. I didnt always have this problem. a couple of years ago I added 20 feet of new baseboard. Do I need a bigger expansion tank? What size?
I dont know what else it could be.
Thank You
Jay said,
April 13, 2008 @ 2:59 am
Hi Andy,
The symptoms that you have described indicate that you do not have enough expansion volume. Either your existing expansion tank is not set up correctly or it is not big enough for your system.
You did not mention what type of expansion tank you have. Most likely it is a bladder tank. It needs to be installed and set up IAW the manufacturers instructions. If it is installed and set up properly and you still have over pressure problems when your system heats up you need to add more expansion volume, you can add an additional tank.
Make sure that makeup water is not leaking into your system causing the over pressure problem.
Hope this helps!
Jay I. Hoar
Service Manager
http://www.mckenziecorp.com
Andy said,
April 17, 2008 @ 9:50 am
I really do appreciate your response. Yes its a Extrol bladder #30 tank. I’ll try upgrading to a #60 tank and see what happens.
Amol said,
June 15, 2008 @ 12:00 pm
How to calculate the gas consumption & gas pressure of a gas LPG fired burner installed on a 200 HP steam boiler.