CORRODED BLOCK

shawn indrerd

i have a 2003 Burnham boiler for Oil Heat (steam). i recently started having my auto feed kick in every few minutes, plus i have a lot of white steam coming out of my chimney. I called my oil company to send down a tech. he said that my block was totally corroded, and i need a new boiler.

i'm just surprised. i live in NYC, our water is not known to be "corrosive" and shouldn't a boiler last more then 7 years? now it is under warranty, but the labor alone will be over $4k, and the replacement boiler won't have a new warranty, but will rather just continue the original one for another couple of years. i am seriously considering switching to gas at this point.

can anyone advice if this should be "repairable" as opposed to needing to replace an entire relatively new boiler?

SteveS

Similar Problem

Hello Shawn,



I posted a similar issue yesterday (with a 2006 Burnham) and have gotten some good advice / info from folks:  http://www.heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/133361/Corrosion-in-Boiler.  If nothing else the string might give you a good starting point.

Steamhead

It's definitely not repairable

This could be caused by a leak in the system that allowed steam to escape, which means that fresh water was being fed too often.



Sounds to me like you have a V-8 series boiler. Since it has to be replaced, upgrade to the MegaSteam. Not only is the MegaSteam more efficient but it has an anti-corrosion warranty.

BobC

failed boiler

Shawn,



A boiler should last a lot longer than that. My current Burnham V75 is 14 years old and the Delco before that was 50 years old.



If the corrosion is "only' in one section, that one section could be replaced, but the labor would still be pretty high and there is always the danger of something happening during the dis-assembly - reassembly process.. I suspect the other sections are about ready to let go and you might only be delaying the inevitable. i don't think it would have made any difference if the boiler was gas fired. Switch fuel only if it makes good economic sense. In Boston the current differential is about 28%, If my boiler died tomorrow, I'd probably switch to gas. If you stay with oil look at the Burnham Megasteam boiler.



The real question is why did this boiler die a premature death. Were there any issues with the boiler over the last few years? Do you know how much water the automatic water feeder was feeding? If you have a new boiler installed ask them to put a automatic water feeder in that has a meter on it so you can keep track of how much water it is adding to the boiler - AND KEEP A LOG OF THE WATER USE. Water should only be added once or twice a month. If it's being added more often then you have a leak somewhere.



Check with your neighbors to see if they have had similar problems.



good luck,



Bob

shawn indrerd

now what?

if the boiler cannot be repaired, should i seriously consider switching to GAS, or should i stick with OIL?

Charlie from wmass

Shawn can you post a photo or two of

your existing boiler? I feel poor boiler installs greatly decrease boiler life. Chlorides in the water do not help the situation either.

shawn indrerd

will try to post pictures later

i am considering the switch to GAS because as i said before, although my boiler is under warranty after all the labor and costs it will be over $4K (and the warranty will only continue from the original date, a lot of $$ for only 2 more years on the warranty) for not much more then that i can switch to GAS. however, due to all the propaganda by both the oil companies and gas utilities, i don't have a good feel on whether it's actually worth switching. i happen to be leaning towards the switch because right now it sounds like gas is cheaper, and the new boiler with the gas wll have a full warranty.

i'm just curious: the quote i got was for a BURNHAM Steam HE Natural Draft (model KIN5LNI-LE2) is this considered a good boiler?

(vs. the oil company will switch my current boiler to a MEGASTEAM (not sure of size or model#) using as much of my current equipment as possible)



Shawn

Charlie from wmass

The mega steam

Is a superior boiler and more efficient. It was designed from the ground up as a steam boiler. Many other boilers are dual purpose for either forced hot water or steam. The installation is what really matters though. I have seen a few mega steams put in as badly as any other boiler. Do you have a photo of your current boiler you can share? Is it the same oil company that will be doing the installation?

shawn indrerd

in response to ur response:

the mega steam is a superior boiler and more efficient. ok, but is the "gas" boiler i mentioned a good boiler in its own right?It was designed from the ground

up as a steam boiler. Many other boilers are dual purpose for either

forced hot water or steam. The installation is what really matters

though. I have seen a few mega steams put in as badly as any other

boiler. Do you have a photo of your current boiler you can share? i will try to take 1 tonight and send it, but it doesn't matter it is D- E-D dead.Is it

the same oil company that will be doing the installation? probably not. (i am unaware of who installed my current boiler, but i just started using this company recently)

shawn indrerd

another question:

now that i might switch to gas, i am wondering...

my current setup has a "coil" for hot water with a 50 gallon storage tank. the gas conversion proposal includes a 50 gallon hot water tank of it's own.

-however, since i already have an existing storage tank is it worth putting a coil in the new boiler so that i don't pay for hot water in the winter when i am using the boiler for heat anyways?

-also, is there any possible way to use the coil from my existing oil burning boiler ( a Burnham series 8) and install it in the new Burnham (Gas burning) HE Natural Draft boiler?

BobC

gas / oil

As others have said the megasteam is really a cut above most steam boilers because of it's design. A gas boiler is pretty much the same as an most oil burners as far as construction goes. The SlantFin and Smith G8 are well thought of gas boilers with a gas gun installed.



Will Burnham allow you to credit your failed boiler towards a Megasteam?



Gas is usually cheaper as a fuel but it's nice to have a choice other than the gas company when it comes to heat just because there are a lot of good oil guys out there who want your business. With the gas company they will get to you when they do, if you don't like it - tough.



You makes' your choices and pays' your money and THEN YOU HOPE FOR THE BEST.



Bob

shawn indrerd

thanx for all your prompt responses

bob, i understand from what i've read that a MEGASTEAM is a supirior boiler. but is it worth $4k with only a 2 year warranty?

shawn indrerd

another question:

i will be replacing the boiler no matter what. the only question now is whether i should switch to gas or not.

one of the plumbers who came to look at my system recommended i use a HERCULES BOILER SOLDER solution of sorts until i can get around to repairing my system.

is this a good idea or not?