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boiler salvageable?

zepfan
zepfan Member Posts: 406
in Strictly Steam
i checked a boiler the other day that was tripping the flame rollout switch.upon inspection of the boiler's heat exchanger by taking off the draft hood,the first three sections of the heat exchanger were clear with no issues.the last two, that were closest to the low water cutoff connection,were completetly plugged they had a wet, red, clay like material that was appeared to be  parts of the heat exchanger.the boiler had been off for two days and was at room temperature.upon restarting the boiler it was spilling co into the room,so the power and gas was shut off to the boiler.this boiler is 12 years old and the heat exchanger is out of warranty.it appeared to me as if the system has been taking on a lot of feed water,or there are some main vents issue.would it be worth it to replace the damaged sections or the whole boiler?thanks to all,i have attached two pictures. 

Comments

  • Rod
    Rod Posts: 2,067
    Nope!

    Hi- This is just a homeowner's opinion but I think that in trying to salvage it you would just be throwing good money away.  It would be far better to invest that in a new boiler. 

    - Rod
  • Dave in QCA
    Dave in QCA Member Posts: 1,788
    motion seconded

    A waste of money to repair. Put in a new one and look for leaks in the piping.
    Dave in Quad Cities, America
    Weil-McLain 680 with Riello 2-stage burner, December 2012. Firing rate=375MBH Low, 690MBH Hi.
    System = Early Dunham 2-pipe Vacuo-Vapor (inlet and outlet both at bottom of radiators) Traps are Dunham #2 rebuilt w. Barnes-Jones Cage Units, Dunham-Bush 1E, Mepco 1E, and Armstrong TS-2. All valves haveTunstall orifices sized at 8 oz.
    Current connected load EDR= 1,259 sq ft, Original system EDR = 2,100 sq ft Vaporstat, 13 oz cutout, 4 oz cutin - Temp. control Tekmar 279.
    http://grandviewdavenport.com
  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,495
    Time for a new boiler

    I agree with Rod, the cost of replacing the bad sections would be a very substantial portion of the cost of a new boiler. Better to put the money into something that will last.



    just make sure you find a good installer and insist the new boiler be installed per the manufacturers piping diagram as a minimum.



    Bob
    Smith G8-3 with EZ Gas @ 90,000 BTU, Single pipe steam
    Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
    3PSI gauge
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,314
    That boiler rotted out at the waterline

    so it's toast. Replace it, and as others have said, look for leaks in the system.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
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