BOILER LEAK

ERO

I noticed a leak in my Weil-McLain boiler over the summer when the boiler was shut down. The leak was between the sections in the back at the bottom and was very minor. When I fired up the boiler for the winter, the leak stopped all winter long. The boiler is 20 years old. Does this mean the boiler needs to be replaced.

MichaelK

well....

You may just have a bad seal between sections.  This summer it may need to be shut down, drained, and pulled apart to have the sections inspected and the rings replaced.  Something like this happened before to me but on a H.B. Smith, however when the boiler was fired the leak was worse and it ended up being a cracked section.  They did try replacing the rings and gaskets first though.....just a thought.

Hap_Hazzard

Not exactly.

But if you wait until it needs to be replaced you'll wish you'd done it now instead of waiting until winter.



You need to get a qualified steam heating professional out there to look at it while you're not under the pressure of having to heat your house with it. This will allow you to consider your options, get advice, and choose the best solution instead of settling for whatever is immediately available.



Where are you located?

icesailor

Weil-McLain Leaks:

I don't know if this is a hot water or a steam boiler.

I've seen many 68 series boilers that are cold start, leak when cold. It is my opinion that if it is a "cold start" boiler, the kibbles and bits fall between the sections in the bottom and are almost never cleaned out. As the next cycle comes around, and the condensation from the cold start wets the kibbles and bits, it gets compacted between the sections. Once it starts to weep, the heat when the boiler is running, makes the water evaporate. When shut down, it leaks. I used to see it all the time on cold start boilers that had gone off on safety.

In my opinion, the boiler is toast and needs to be replaced. The thought of trying to repair a section on a 68 series boiler is making my head hurt. Especially sealing between the sections.

Steamhead

So we need to know

is this a steam or hot-water boiler? Oil or gas-fired? What model?

ERO

BOILER LEAK

Thanks for all of your input. The boiler is a Weil-McLain EG 45 gas fired steam boiler. I am located in Cleveland, Ohio.

Rod

Steam Pro

Hi- You're fortunate to live in Cleveland as there is a very good steam pro, Gerry Gill, located there.   Here's a link to his website:

http://www.gwgillplumbingandheating.com/

I'd give him a call and ask him to take a look at your system. He will be able to tell you what options are available.  Very few heating professionals really understand steam heating and of those that do, Gerry Gill is at the top of the list!

- Rod

Steamhead

Agreed

Gerry and his partner Steve Pajek are two of the best.