Open 'glass tube' valve and nothing happens...

frankiewrench

You mentioned opening a valve and nothing happens....should you open the top......Let's review some of the basics.......your low water cut-off [LWCO] shuts off the burner if the water line gets too low. The float type has a valve and only one valve to flush out the control. The gauge glass has a valve above the glass tube and below it. That only shows the water line in the boiler, and nothing else. If you tried to flush out the LWCO, and nothing appeared AND the water level in the tube was visible, then one of two things are apparant. 1] false reading in the glass tube; 2] LWCO is plugged and needs to be either replaced or taken apart and flushed out. On the other hand, the boiler may be low on water and the float hung-up on mud inside the control, allowing the burner to operate without enough water. In addition to all the above, the gauge glass cock[s] could be plugged also, giving a false representation of the water line. So what do ya do???Call a boiler service company???OR DIY???Unless you know what to do...exactly....I'd say get it done. From reading your blog, you are not sure what to do....so, get it done and have peace of mind. afterall, if you mess it up and fire the boiler w-o water, you'll be replacing the boiler.

Mark_125

Open low-water cut off valve and nothing happens...

Hi all,

Back again with another question related to my single pipe steam system. Figured I should test the low-water cut off valve and when I open it nothing happens. Does this mean I need to get this replaced or do I need to open the top valve as well? Not a big issue for me at the moment as I check the level manually every week.

Thanks,
Mark

Timco

Open the blow-down valve and try tapping the LWCO. Sometimes the float unsticks and it blows down. I have had several not drain until tapped a bit, then wooosh..

Tim