\"ghost flow\" - gravity circulation problem

kpc_6

pressure? 35psi ? That is too high...pressure relief valve should have poped....20 is more like it...those Taco sweat checks are a pain...they work for a while but then they stopp working. In most cases I end up placing one on the supply and one on the return or put in an IFC circulator.....kpc

E Hunter

\"ghost flow\" - gravity circulation problem

New ranch style home in Maine, Burnham low pressure boiler PCTW3-TBWR installed less than two years ago, 2 baseboard zones (Z1 first floor, Z2 basement). Each zone has it's own Taco 007-F5 circulator, each zone has a Taco 218 flo check.

About a week or so ago the flo checks failed to stop gravity circulation. Water supply is a well that once in a while delivers a little grit. Boiler maintains around 35 PSI.

Now Z1 is keeping the 1st floor at 70 or above, in spite of a setback thermostat calling for 62 at night, 67 during the day. Could the 218s be failing due to grit from the well, or are they not the best for this installation? If grit is a problem, is there an easy way to clean them?

Al Letellier_7

ghost flow

Not an uncommon problem. It could be anything that is causing those flow checks to hang up.....it doesn't take much. Use the knob at the top of the flow check and manually open them. Turn on the circs and GENTLY tap the flow check with any thing that can shock it a little, then shut down the circs and reseat the flow check. Sometimes they just hang up, or a little piece of solder or other debris in the system will get hung up on the seat. They can be taken apart, but the system must be drained to do so. Have you service provider check them out. They may also need to be replaced, but rarely two at the same time. It may be the grit, but the system is only filled once and there is a strainer in the feeder....good luck.
ACL...Portland, ME

E Hunter

Thanks A Lettier - so far that seemed to be helpful. Of course, at 16 outside with a wind chill of 0 it's hard to allow the zones to chill down, but at least they are now holding at the stat settings and not overheating the zones.

BTW - know any techs in the Auburn area that you would recommend for general maintenance - tune up, etc.? The guy that installed it isn't responding to any calls. Maybe he's enjoying Florida till next May?

E Hunter

Thanks for the feedback kpc. I was wrong with the pressure, it is around 20 (small numbers/old eyes).

We'll keep trying to dislodge any foreign matter that could have hung them open.

kpc_7

ken is just...

down the road in Gray...check find a pro.

E Hunter

Thanks again, will call Ken's Monday. While the problem first reported here is not any emergency, it would be nice to have someone to deal with since we're relatively new to the area.

So far the run circ/loosen 218s/tap/stop circs/tighten again seems to have allowed them to function again. But I'd just as soon have the peace of mind that comes with a well tuned boiler.