Boiler Blowout

ajberezo

This was previously posted on DoItYourself, so I apologize in advance to anyone who has already seen it.

This post relates to a 31-year old Burnham gas-fired boiler in a steam heating system. One day the boiler was working properly (giving heat). The next day, something happened which caused the system to shut down. Additionally, there are rusty-water marks on top of the boiler and on the floor of the boiler room. Whatever water there was had evaporated overnight. One side of the boiler, the side opposite the burner, is discolored on the lower half. The shape of the discoloration is irregular and is white, while the rest of the boiler is light blue. The plastic lens on what appears to be a pressure gauge has melted into half the size that it was originally. The burner fins are covered with soot. The person who discovered the problem reported that there was no water in the glass water level gauge attached to the boiler. The boiler has an automatic water feed which was installed two years ago.

The only maintenance done to the system recently, other than the monthly draining of rusty water, was the replacement of four air vents on the second story of the building. These vents are on steam pipes which are at the highest point of the building and are not attached to steam radiators.

Obviously, the system can no longer be turned on. I would appreciate any opinions about the cause of the problem and any opinions as to the damage that was done.

Photos of the boiler are posted at the following address:

http://s227.photobucket.com/albums/dd125/ajberezo/Boiler/

It appears that the boiler is shot. Can anyone estimate what a complete replacement will cost. The boiler in question is in Queens County in New York City.

Thanks.

scrook_2

boiler replace estimate...

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