Skimming a boiler

William Faust

I can't get a pipe wrench on the 2" plug because it is recessed a bit below the plane of the boiler's sheet metal jacket. I could not move the plug with a 2" socket and a ratchet. Question: Can I break the boiler if I put a pipe over the ratchet and push as hard as I can? Any ideas on how to loosen this plug?

I understand that I could skim from the pressure relief valve tap, but I think that that tap is only 1" and that means that the skimming would take twice as long.

Brad White

There is a tool

darned if I can remember the name but essentially a large socket wrench with a tee handle. I have seen them for the types of plugs with an "X" cross bossing on the head.

Yes, you could crack the casting with too much force. Some WD-40 can help but will smell up the place next time you fire it up. Go easy; no telling if that bung is rusted in place, essentially welded. It may come loose with gentle persuasion but don't over torque it.

Forget the 2" pressure relief tap. Firstly, it is not likely at the waterline, you would have to flood your boiler in order to use it. Not effective for a fire-test hot skim.

Secondly, a one-inch tapping is not half the size in area of a 2". It is only 1/4th the area.

Best bet is secure the right tool and the pro that owns them. Once you get the tapping out, buy a full port ball valve and nipple so you can skim to your heart's content.

William Faust

Stuck plug

Uh oh, I erred by calling a socket wrench a "ratchet." I actually already have the 2" socket and socket wrench. It doesn't have a tee handle, but unless I don't understand I don't think that it needs that handle.

I'll used the WD-40 idea because I have no choice. I imagine that the smell will go away after enough firings to burn it off. Do you think that I would be more successful when the boiler is really hot - to expand the metal? Man, I don't want to crack the casting.

The pro that I would have do it said that he would not be responsible if it cracked. Incidentally, the boiler was installed in early 1998.

I already bought a full port ball valve and nipple, plus a cap for safety to guard against someone opening the ball valve and getting scalded, for future skimmings. Not much good just yet. I think that I'd better go to church and pray.

JoeV_2

Another great product...

is Aerokroil by kano labs. It's loosened hundreds of impossible fittngs, plugs and bolts for me.

Norm Harvey

You can always use a littke bit of heat with a torch on the female part of the casting to help expand the female a bit before using all of your leverage.

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