Skimming Weil-Mclain Boiler

George_11

I read the instuctions of how to skim a boiler in Dan's Book, Lost Art of Steam Heating and I would like to do this job myself.

I noticed that my sight glass contains some moisture and oil residue above the half way point of the waterline.

Where can I purchase a skim port, a full size nipple? Also what size elbow will I need?

Unknown

weil mclain boiler

Which weil mclain boiler do you have? All EG boilers have 1.5 " tapping for skimming purpose.. If I were you, I get a real steam pro to set it up and show you how its done for safety reasons.

George_11

Weil-Mclain Boiler

The Model # is B-5.

I will call the company that services my boiler.

Is the 1.5 " tapping above the sight glass?

Unknown

Skimming

Hi George- Here's a link to a thread that discusses skimming. On the thread is a link to Oil Heating to an article on skimming written by the head tech at Weil McLain [url=http://www.heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/128432/uneven-heat#p1180220]http://www.heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/128432/uneven-heat#p1180220

While skimming is easy, you might want to get a pro to install the skim port for you. Getting the pipe plug out of the boiler can sometimes be a "bear". The location of the skim port should be in your boiler's installation manual.

- Rod

George_11

Skimming Boiler

Thanks for the advice Rod. I will find a pro to install the skim port.  Do you know where the skim port gets installed. Is it near the full size nipple?

The link to the thread you posted is very informative.

Unknown

Skimming

I'm not that familiar with Weil McLain boilers. Is your boiler gas or oil ? You might check the model number as the "B-5" doesn't ring a bell.

- Rod

George_36

Skimming Boiler

My boiler is gas. From what I have read, it appears that I may have a nipple and a skim port, already installed. Around the gauge glass area, there are 2 knobs, one at the bottom and one at top of the gauge glass.  Both knobs turn and allow the water to come out slowly. Could this be it or am I way off?

Unknown

Skim Port

No, those knobs are a back up in case the gauge glass breaks so you won't have water pouring all over your floor. They also used to be used for blowing down the glass but this isn't done much any more. There is usually a dedicated port in the boiler for skimming and this is usually shown in the boiler's installation manual.  I'm not familiar with the number "B-5" that you posted, could you check this and see if there are any other numbers which would help identify your boiler? Weil McLain has made a lot of boilers over the years.

- Rod

George_36

Skim Boiler

I was wrong. The model # is E5, series 2.  I don't have the installation manual. 

Where is the dedicated port in the boiler for skimming or which part is it next to? I read about skimming from a few different sources but none explain in detail where the full size nipple and elbow are to be installed except in Dan's book. Dan expalins that hey should be installed at a tapping just above the water line. I have yet to see a picture of what this looks like. Wouls the skim port be instaled in the same area?

Rod, you also sent a previous link to the frorum for a steam boiler cleaner called Rhomar. Is this cleaner added after the boiler is skimmed? 

Unknown

Skimming

Hi George- Sorry I can't seem to find anything under "E-5" "series 2 " either.

The skim tapping location varies between boilers. A few boilers don't have a dedicated skim tapping and you have to remove a piece of equipment to skim the boiler. If there is a skim tap, it is high in the boiler, usually above the level of the top of the sight glass. Skim tappings are usually fairly large, typically 3/4 pipe plus and some go up to 1 1/2 inch so that should give you an idea of what to look for.

Generally the consensus seem to be you're better off not to add any thing to the boiler water. I use the Rhomar 903 at the end of the heating season when I shut down the boiler for the summer. Here is the link. http://www.rhomarwater.com/products/residential-steam-system/

 If you have any questions give them a call, they are good people to work with. Read the Product Data Sheet as it gives you the full instructions. The big thing with boiler water to keep it on the alkaline side of the PH scale and make sure you bring your boiler to a boil after you have added any fresh water. This drives off the excess dissolved oxygen which can be very corrosive to the boiler and greatly shorten its life.

- Rod

George_36

Skim Boiler and LWCO problem

Thanks for the tip. I started boiling the fresh water last year.

About an hour ago, my LWCO did not work for the first time. Could this be from dirty or oily water? clogged pigtail? The water came down with no problem but the boiler did not shut.

I will call the company that services my boiler to take a look and I will also ask them to install a skim port.  Any suggestions on what to check in case the technician that comes is not a steam heat expert? 

Steamhead

I think that's

an older model W-M gas boiler, possibly the precursor to the EG/EGH series.



It may be old enough that it has try-cocks next to the sight glass.



How about taking a few pictures and posting them here, so we can actually see it?

George_36

picture of sight glass

The pic is a little dark. I was told that the boiler is between 1979-83.

George_36

Better pic of sight glass

Hopefully this one is better.

Hello Steamhead.  What is a try-cock?

Steamhead

It's basically

a faucet-like device. A pair of these were placed beside the sight glass on older boilers so you'd have a way to verify the water level if the sight glass broke or got plugged. But I don't see these on your boiler.