Radiators all not getting hot

MikeyS

I have a Burhnam boiler 1 1/2 years old 140,000 BTU.  Boiler was installed when home was purchased.  Never used original boiler to compare.  I have a one pipe system.  One pipe comes out of the boiler and branches off into two different directions.  The one main pipe section is 34 ft long and has 2 gorton #2 vents at the end of the main.  All radiators on that main get completely hot (top to bottom).  The second main pipe which is 44 ft long, the first radiator on that main line gets completely hot and the other 3 do not get completely hot (only the top gets hot).  If you satisfy the thermostat and then raise the temp 3 degrees to let the boiler run longer, the radiators will eventually get completely hot.  Note:  This main also has 2 gorton #2 vents at the end of the main.  Which I noticed when the system is running those 2 vents are always venting (they never stop).  Boiler pressure cut-in 1/2 PSI and diff 1 PSI.  I am at a loss?

Steamhead

We've seen

where dirty boiler water has caused this. Have you cleaned and skimmed your boiler? 

MikeyS

Dirty Boiler

No, I have not tried cleaning the boiler or skimming.  Would you recommend using squick? If so, after installing squick, should I run the boiler for at least 2 days and then skim the boiler?  I am not too familiar with skimming the boiler.  Could you give me detailed instructions?

Unknown

Cleaning and Skimming a Boiler

Hi- Look on Page 20 in the June 2009 issue of Oil Heating Magazine. The head tech from Weil McLain gives a detailed instruction of how to skim / clean a boiler.

- Rod

http://www.epaperflip.com/aglaia/viewer.aspx?docid=9beef5d931a94544990269f771411ad1

Steamhead

I don't recommend

using any kind of chemical in a boiler. It can be very difficult to flush it all out. If you must, follow the boiler manufacturer's instructions on what to use and how to use it.



If you're not familiar with skimming and flushing, maybe you should have a pro do it. If you mistakenly turn cold water into a hot boiler, you can crack it!



Dan's book "The Lost Art of Steam Heating" covers this in detail. He handles the subject as well as I could, and probably better.

STEVE PAUL_3

RADS. NOT COMPLETELY HOT

 I would replace the 2- constantly venting air vents. It sounds like they are defective. They may be blowing out the steam that should be filling the radiators. Look at the radiator air vents. Are they too small for the radiators and are venting way too slowly? Larger, fast venting vents for large radiators and smaller slower venting vents for small radiators. Distance from the boiler is usually not a factor to be concerned with. The next thing I would look at is the room temperature in the rooms that the subject radiators are in. If the rooms are warm, you may not have a problem. The radiators my be over sized, or the the system is operating above design temperature and is shutting down when the thermostat is satisfied. I would also do a connected load radiator sizing to determine that the boiler is the right size

Steve Paul