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Chimney Liner

wulsh
wulsh Member Posts: 3
in Oil Heating
Two years ago I replaced a 38 year old EFM PK500 with a New Yorker HGS oil burner. There is a difference of 200*F net stack temperature.



I achieved a -.02" draft over the fire but never could get the stack draft any better than -.02". Should be double, at least -.04".



This past year when I cleaned the boiler it was unusually dirty and I can't seem to tweak it anymore.



So now I'm looking into chimney liners. The boiler calls for 6". The chimney is 8" x 25'. I would like to use rigid s.s. pipe as it is a straight run. But I'm getting conflicting stories on which to use. 316L, 316Ti or AL29-4C.



 I live in Pennsylvania. The eff. is around 86%.

Help!

Comments

  • hotpipe
    hotpipe Member Posts: 24
    barometric control installed?

    Is there a control installed, and has it been adjusted? As for chimney liners, research the manufacturers, and find one with a good warranty and proven product line.

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • wulsh
    wulsh Member Posts: 3
    Chimney Liner

    Yes there is a control installed. I used a Bacharach draft gauge and no matter how I adjust it I cant get the draft pass -.02".
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,330
    Have the chimney inspected

    it may be partially clogged. It should pull more draft than that. 
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • icesailor
    icesailor Member Posts: 7,265
    edited April 2014
    Draft:

    Also, the bricks may be leaking in the vertical joints.

    A 8" square X 25' brick chimney should be able to suck the wig off of an old bald lady. Is there much chimney sticking through the roof? Can you see soot stains around the ends of bricks anywhere on the visible parts? How old is the house and chimney?

    What kind of draft do you have when the burner isn't running? Is it higher when the burner is off than when it is running? Drill a hole in the SP at the chimney. Is it higher?

    How high above the breeching of the boiler are you measuring? What kind of Bacharach draft measuring device are you using? Is it a pocket one? They are difficult to use accurately. If you're going to be measuring accurately, you need a Bacharach MZF.
  • Jim Davis_3
    Jim Davis_3 Member Posts: 578
    Draft

    The easiest way to determine if a chimney is undersized or restricted is to watch the draft after the burner shuts off.  If the draft goes up, the chimney is restricted.  If the draft stays the same and goes down the chimney is open.

    There is a problem with your over-fire draft and outlet draft.  They should be at least -.02" different.  The pressure drop is created by the flue gases in the heat exchanger.  If there is no pressure drop there is not enough flue gas, which means you are underfired, which is why your flue temperature is so low, not because it is more efficient. 

    If your chimney gets wet you will lose over half or more of your draft.  Running low flue temperatures on oil can cause condensation, wet chimney and low draft.  If your draft totally disappears when the burner shuts off, the chimney could definitely be wet or you havr some kind of combustion air problem.
  • wulsh
    wulsh Member Posts: 3
    Chimney

    I periodically use a mirror to check for blockage of which there is none. I do however have soot accumulation. And it sometime can be almost like mud.

    In the spring, summer and fall it has a normal dry consistency. But with the on/off cycling in the winter, it seems the improper draft, low flue gas temperature, and over sized chimney is the perfect combination for moisture. To the point on the other side of the basement, where there are two very small crevices in the mortar below the height of the horizontal flue, I will sometimes have water seep through.

    When I first bought the house in 2010, I noticed brown water stains on the wall under the flue. So I put a rain cap on top of the chimney. Seemed to help until I installed the new boiler.

    So to answer your questions:

    Is there much chimney sticking through the roof? About 4 feet above the peak of the roof.

    Can you see soot stains around the ends of bricks anywhere on the visible parts? No

     How old is the house and chimney? Built in 1900. Not sure about age of chimney.

    What kind of draft do you have when the burner isn't running? -.02"

    Is it higher when the burner is off than when it is running? No

    How high above the breeching of the boiler are you measuring? 8" Right below the joint of the tee.

    What kind of Bacharach draft measuring device are you using? MZF Draft Gauge. I can't afford an electronic gauge. lol

    Well now I look like a fool. The last time I ran a test was around January. And now I just achieved -.04" draft. What the Crap!

    Could it be because the chimney is no longer wet. The soot is dry as a bone.

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