Leaking Section Weil McLain LGB 10

BrooklynBrownstoner

How do I remove the jacket in order to look at where the leak is coming from? The WM installation manual (online at <a href="http://www.weil-mclain.com/en/assets/pdf/550-141-186_0703_LGBManual.pdf">http://www.weil-mclain.com/en/assets/pdf/550-141-186_0703_LGBManual.pdf</a> ) refers to separate "jacket erecting instructions" which are not listed on their web site. Can the rear jacket be removed without removing the flue and getting into any area where flue gas might escape?



The area near the rear jacket is really tight in my boiler room.



The WM brochure seems to show that the removal of the rear jacket allows for inspection of the top of the sections.



<a href="http://www.weil-mclain.com/en/assets/pdf/lgb_lit.pdf">http://www.weil-mclain.com/en/assets/pdf/lgb_lit.pdf</a>



This steam boiler is about 7 years old. Located in Brooklyn, NY.



The leak so far is not major and the boiler makes steam ok. This boiler is used only in the heating season. You can see where the drip of the leak has started to corrode the burners at the left in the rightmost photo below.



All condensate return lines have been examined and are in excellent condition.



What I really need is a patient steam guy who won't try to sell me a new boiler.

nicholas bonham-carter

7 year itch

You need a good steam man who can first find out why you have this problem after only 7 years. Is there an auto-feed on this boiler-perhaps constantly activating as the water has escaped from some system leak?

I am sure that replacement sections are available, but first find the cause.--NBC

JStar

Boiler

You can gain access to the sections, but reassembly will require boiler rope or sealant. You can also remove the burners for a better look, but you need to make sure that they are all properly reinstalled. In other words...you won't see anything useful without having a professional come in for a look.



http://www.weil-mclain.com/en/multimedia-library/pdf/weil-mclain-pdf/warranty/550-141-064_1011.pdf



Here's your warranty info, too. At 7 years into a 10 year warranty, it makes sense to replace the sections. Just be warned that if there is one leak, there is likely another. Be prepared to assess all of the options, including replacement.

ttekushan_3

Elastomeric Seals

As everyone else has said, you really need to see where the leak is to confirm that a section is actually bad. New seals and a new section is certainly realistic without installing a new boiler



That said, that leak looks typical of the 14 year steam boiler elastomeric seal failure, but in only 7 years. Water contamination can cause this, particularly petroleum based contaminants. What I'm getting at it that those seals are sensitive to the cleaning the boiler got when it was installed. The piping and cast boiler sections are impregnated with the stuff when new and this is just one more reason why proper cleaning and skimming is required after installation.



The very large header you have there is very good at drying steam from a somewhat oily boiler, meaning it will steam "okay" while still being slightly contaminated with petro products. I've found that bottom blow downs will never get rid of it as a surface skim will. I see unstable water lines years after installation with that film just being as persistent as can be.



Long and short of it, the sections may not be rusted through, but the seals all should be replaced no matter what the outcome. And then clean clean clean!

billtwocase

I would also

run the model and serial #'s by Weil. To me, that boiler looks to be older than 7 years. Not positive on their gas boiler line, but oil units have been yellow jacketed for about 15 years anyway.

Dave in QCA

Still Blue

The LGB is still blue, along with most of the commercial models such as the EGH, 80 Series, etc.