Best Of
Re: Experience I had with a boiler tech and what I learned along the way.
At least he has a machine, more than you can say for most DIYers. At least he grabbed the right location to stick the probe into.
GW
Re: Boiler acting up again
So cleaning the heat exchanger is not a good idea?
And replacing a defective gas valve after verifying that was the cause of the pilot failing to stay lit is not a good idea?
And the Aquastat problem (if it exists) has not been determined as of yet. So no more parts than needed so far as I can see.
And I don't see anyone stepping up to help out with the cost of a new boiler for this guy.
I try to look for the lowest cost options for each situation. I don't just say "Replace the whole thing” when I discover several problems at the same time. I look at the condition of the overall system and then decide whether the option to offer a replacement boiler is in the consumer's best interest. When Asked if it is better to repair or replace by a customer, and I ballpark the replacement boiler job, done the right way, they usually make the informed decision to repair.
The existing Valliant boiler is not leaking and from the photos I have seen so far, it looks like it is good condition, a replacement CI boiler will not reduce the fuel usage in any quantity to justify a replacement of a perfectly good piece of cast iron that is already there. A new Weil McLain boiler connected to the same system may not solve the problem if the system has flaws. It will just move the system’s problems to the new boiler. (hence my tag line below)
I say we find out what the real problems are before we jump to the conclusion that the only right thing to do is replace the boiler. That’s my two cents (but we all know that is really 4 cents now)
Re: Do we have a leak?
the zones are all open all the time, the return is still open to the system pressure even when a zone valve is closed.
mattmia2
Re: Boiler acting up again
What you just explained sounds normal.
Now that you have the heat exchanger cleaned out the burner will operate as it was designed.
@EdTheHeaterMan Said on March 3 @ 1:30 “Your vent may be blocked, or the heat exchanger may have carbon building up in between the sections.“
Now that the dust and carbon is all gone the boiler will vent the byproducts of combustion (Flue Gas) properly. The water in the boiler will get hotter faster (the dirt acts like insulation) and then the thermostat will get satisfied sooner.
More to follow
Re: Turn Down and Condensing
As the presenter noted, the return temperature is the key to condensing, or the quality of the condensing.
hot_rod
Re: Frequent Boiler Interruption
If it is 2 pipe some pressure differential could be causing the water to be pushed out of the boiler at some point although it is much more likely to leave as a liquid because of surging or priming.
mattmia2
Re: Indirect DHW Question
I think that tank in tank design is just two nipples from the inner tank welded through the outer tank. Not unlike how the coils of a typical indirect exit the tank? I don't know of any other seals?
I'll bet many of the tank in tank have been filled and started incorrectly. I know I have😯
That design has been around what 30 years or more, there must be enough of them working well?
Debatable whether they outperform a coil type of the same square footage HX. They could be less scale prone.
Draining was the biggest issue, you had to plan for that.
hot_rod
Re: Experience I had with a boiler tech and what I learned along the way.
A good observation, Ed.
Training is so available these days. I imagine every manufacturer of analyzers offers online and live training. Bacharach had excellent on site training and trainers.
The introduction of mod cons changed the game as far as owning an analyzer. At the very least you can check and confirm the numbers.
Assuming the meters are checked and calibrated as needed.
hot_rod
Re: Air vent substitute??
you should be able to drill and re-tap thise vent ports. You may need to go a size larger
You can get 1/4 & 3/8 sizes
hot_rod