decision time ... replace or new

Unknown

My dilemma is my Burnham v89 steam heat boiler started to leak after only 6 years and I'm trying to decide on choosing to just replace the boiler or upgrade to a Burnham mega steam system.

The top of the v89 boiler was completely corroded and I noticed a lot of steam was coming out my chimney as well as water was always being automatically refilled. I also have been using a lot of oil to operate.

 I have been trying to understand by asking a lot of questions as to why it leaked in the first place and am in the process of having my water analyzed .  Today the heat system is feed via a water softener with raw water being well fed. Needless to say I have been given many different reasons for the corrosion but it seems like a lot of educated guessing on contractors part...a crack in a section, faulty plugs, etc. .

So I need to know whether I invest in a new boiler for  the v89 or invest in a mega steam. Needless to say the replacement of the boiler is a lot cheaper than a new mega steam system. but I am worried about this happening again in 5-6 years down the line. Any help would be appreciated.   

nicholas bonham-carter

Short life

I suggest you post some pictures of the present boiler, and it's piping to see if that may have been the problem. Were the chemical tests of the well water conclusive? The amount of water added to a properly functioning system sould have been very small.

Perhaps Burnham will be of help since the boiler failed in less than 10 years.

I don't see why the mega steam should be so much more expensive than another new Burnham.

What is your location?--NBC

BobC

is there a leak somewhere

Water softeners often use salt and that can be the kiss of death for cast iron. The megasteam is a much better boiler than the V8 series, ask if they will give yo a credit that you can use on a new megasteam.



Make sure to search for any leaks, a steam system should not need water added more than once every 6-8 weeks and then it should be a small amount.



Once you have that settled I would ask the boiler manufacturer what they suggestwith a system being fed off well water. Rhomar may make something that can be added to the water so it will be benign towards cast iron.



Bob

nysger

decision time ... replace or new

 Here are a few pics from the installation My estimates so far are just for the replacement of the v89 boiler while still using all of the piping, etc. The cost of the mega steam is for the whole system.   My location is in the mid Hudson Valley of NY.. I would be happy if Burnham helped to offset some of the new costs Is there someone I can talk to?.

JStar

Steam

You can ask Burnham if they will contibute the cost of repair into the new boiler.



It looks like there is nothing wrong with the existing piping, ad long as it is sized correctly.



Those vent connections are incorrect as well. The water heater needs to be closest to the chimney. Looks like a ling run, too. Maybe the boiler can be moved back a little.



I service your area of NY if you ever wanted another opinion or estimate.

Steamhead

Well water

can be hard on a steam boiler. The MegaSteam is the one boiler I'd use in your situation. Its design puts all the heat-transfer surface below the waterline where it won't suffer the extra stress of running so hot, which makes it more vulnerable to rotting out.



Here's a thread where we encountered the same thing:



http://www.heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/128408/A-Very-Special-MegaSteam

fixitguy

Don't fault the Burnham

2 years ago, I replaced on of those boilers rotted at the top just as you describe. ( I could show you pictures) 4 years old, and low and behold the identical boiler that it replaced was sitting next to it with the same damage. I replaced it with a Williamson because it was cheap and the customer was poor. The reason for the failures of the Burnhams as far as I could tell was that it was plumbed like you would plumb a hot water boiler. No equalizer & a long undersized wet return/mud leg in copper. I have not had a call back. Good luck.