Ultra connections

Dice

the wm ultra has been the easiest boiler to sell and service that i can ever remember. keep posting negative thoughts/ problems. i hqave installed 30 in 2 yrs and love it. post problems so i know what look forward too.

Tony_23

compression nuts at block

Anybody have trouble with these cracking ? I've installed seven Ultras and the last two have had the return connection nut cracked. Same crew on all installs and my man is a licensed master plumber. EVERYTHING is backed up. We didn't even get the header hooked up and I saw it this time.

I'm thinking the nuts should be brass, instead of whatever they are now.

Only "good" thing is, this one's my house, and we have a wood stove for now.

tim smith

cracking nut

I had one out of the box bad, leaked right away when hooked up and not noticed.

Tony_23

thanks

I was thinking I was the cracked nut.

You know the song, "You're the only one" ? That's what they sang me last night.

Maybe I'll have to stock a nut and ring

Plumdog_2

The most dangerous part

of an automobile is the big nut that holds the steering wheel.

hr

Get rid of the whole thing

On several of my installs I removed those adapters and piping and screwed a 1-1/4 nipple right into the block! But on the supply side you need to leave in that galv pipe because it has the sensor wells built in.

I have had a couple cracked nuts also. Rough handling could break them also, wrenching too hard on that pipe. The top U bold doesn't support that pipe very well for wrenching.

The pipe was fairly rusted and corroded on an 80 I installed last week. That pipe is the heaviest part of the whole boiler

I'd be glad to send you the spare parts I have Tony, if you need them.

hot rod

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Tony_23

Thanks, HR

I wasn't aware that those pipes could be changed. I'll check it out tonight as my supplier has no spare nuts or rings.

Like I said, we back up everything. A pair of 14's is all we use and thick tape/dope. NO torque on that nut at all. Maybe we'll start loosening it until our connections are made.

This is also the first time I've hung one. Those "knockouts" should be called "drillouts"

I may take you up on your offer, if just for spares. I'll let you know.

Tony

hr

I never did ask WM

for permission to remove that cheesey adapter, and paper thin nut and install a steel nipple. I need to do that some day. Can't imagine it would be a problem.

Like you I had a broken nut (I mean the boiler had a broken nut and I needed to get the thing installed. On another one the nut cracked after being installed for a few weeks. Luckily a small drip not a complete flood.

The first adapters had teflon paste on them, where the threaded into the block. The 80 I just installed had red Loctite on that adapter.

hot rod

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A.J.

Sounds like WM has a problem

We just fired up a 105 Ultra this week only to go back the next day to find the nut on the return line of the block split. I just attributed it to bad luck but it sounds like we are not the only one.
Thank goodness it is only dripping.

hr

I suspect a thermal expansion issue

mine cracked when the unit went to high temperature for the DHW call. Something gotta move when that block and pipe goes from 70- 180° F in a minutes time!

Perhaps a flexible connection (rubber unistrut type mount) where that u-bolt holds the top of those roll bar tubes

I also feel those nuts get overtightened when trying to seal that brass ferrule against the hard steel pipe. A weak connection for boiler piping, I feel.

hot rod

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Tony_23

Flexibility

That's why I've piped all but one with iron to my close tees. Thought I'd minimize expansion and thus not cause the compression nuts to loosen over time. This one's not even piped yet, and I was going out the top and in the bottom.

Tomorrow will tell if the rep can get me the fittings quick enough or give me permission to pipe it your way.

I was kind of hoping Floyd would weigh in here as well, he's done a pile of 'em.

Tony_23

Update

W-M is supposed to be UPSing replacement parts today. We'll see if they really do. I have faith in my supplier, they've been great about support. The first time they swapped boilers for me, with a weekend coming up and an ill customer with a 52F house. I have no problem with Irr Supply. Hopefully W-M lives up to their standard.

Tony_23

New nuts

Came as promised

They also look different. Matte finish made me look at the numbers and the new ones have the same number followed by a -2. I'd say a revision has taken place.

As long as they stay on top of problems I don't have one

Tony_23

Not negative

Just wanted to know if anyone else had the same problem. It's important for us to be aware of potential problems, if there are any.

See my post, Aaaaahhhh..., and you will see the outcome of my troubles on this install

I too, have no trouble selling these, and like them so well that I am now basking in the comfort of my own this morning

hr

constructive critisim

is exactly what the manufactures monitor this site for.

I spoke with a Weil tech help person yesterday. A helpful, polite, and quick response, by the way. Thanks Steve.

Thanks to comments, from installers posting here, an upgrade door seal kit is available 383500133.

Also, noise fixes are posted on their website.

That's how it should work, manufactures accepting input from the installers to improve their products. Not denying and arguing with the front line installers.


I get the impression the nuts are a hotly debated issue at the factory

hot rod

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A.J.

F.Y.I.

Talked to the Ultra rep.and he suggested using a 33 or a 36mm socket to install the new compression fittings I forget which size. He said it will keep the new fitting from being ovaled.