I need to disassemble and scrap weil mclain WTGO-5 boiler

redwolf

In September 2014 I had a contractor replace my weil mclain WTGO-5 boiler with a high efficiency weil mclain gas boiler
I am very satisfied with the gas boiler performance during the winter months .
This is my problem . As part of the contract, the contractor was to take the old boiler out and remove from the house.
In fairness he did try ! there were 3 pretty big guys try to get this boiler up the stairs of my basement but could not get up the first step, with looked like a good size hand truck. The contractor said he would need to get a stair climbing hand truck and would call me with notice when he could do it. Well I tried about 8 times in the last 6 months to come and get this boiler and no return calls. I listed the unit on craig's list and tried to give it away and no takers. Now I am stuck with removing this myself. Can I disassemble this unit down to parts that can be hauled away ? I am most concerned that there might be some sort of waste hazard (asbestos comes to mind) in the boiler unit that when disassembled will cause a problem in the basement.

Thanks in advance for any ideas !

JStar

That boiler can be broken down into 5 individual sections, and taken out in pieces. Where are you located? We may know somebody with the proper tools to take this out for you.

redwolf

So this boiler can be disassembled without any contaminants (if any ) being exposed to the the environment ? I am sure there are reusable items if not the whole boiler being reused. I would be agreeable to any one with experience to come and haul away. It has to have some residual value. I am located in south jersey ( vincentown 08088 )

pecmsg

Not reusable

Check with local scrap yards the'll probably charge something to get it out.

KC_Jones

Not sure how heavy each section is on that boiler, but when I removed my old WM EG-45 boiler I cut the tie rods broke it down into individual sections (4) and carried each one out by hand. The ends were about 125 each and the middle section about 75. For me it was a none issue. Honestly not sure why your contractor didn't do this...I would think they know? BTW I got 57 bucks back in scrap value when I took it in. I think scrap has dropped lately though.

JStar

redwolf said:

So this boiler can be disassembled without any contaminants (if any ) being exposed to the the environment ? I am sure there are reusable items if not the whole boiler being reused. I would be agreeable to any one with experience to come and haul away. It has to have some residual value. I am located in south jersey ( vincentown 08088 )

I work in your area a lot, but the $50 we'll get at the junkyard wouldn't be enough to justify taking the boiler out for free. You might have good luck asking a local scrap yard.

redwolf

I understand and thank you for all your advice. I will give the contractor one more call and if he does not respond I will disassemble the beast myself.

billtwocase

I have carried them in section by section, and reassembled them. No problem to disassemble to remove, and reuse if someone needed to. This has a tankless coil that has to come out 1st, remove the burner and hinged chamber door, and chamber, top flue collector, all the jacket, remove the bolts for the sections. Make sure the boiler is drained fully, and surround it with old newspapers and towel. Water will still be in there. You need 2 people for this

JStar

Pro-tip: Buy a big roll of construction paper, a lump hammer and several sized cold chisels. Have fun and don't get hurt.

PM Home and Cabin Services

Post some pics of the new boiler install., it would be interesting to see. If the contractor couldn't/ didn't remove the old boiler ,then doesn't return phone calls. I have run into quite a few hacked installations where original installer was not to be found and the old equipment is in corner, but "they said they would come back to remove it". They never do.

vaporvac

I used an old tire to absorb the impact when splitting them apart. Worked like a dream. C

EBEBRATT-Ed

I am sure you could find a scrap guy who would take it. If not don't be afraid of doing it yourself. You'll get dirty but it can be taken apart fairly easily

Steamhead

How old is this boiler?

If not too old and in decent shape, you might donate it to the local Habitat for Humanity or a similar organization or project.

And you CAN convert one of these boilers to gas, thanks to Carlin.

billtwocase

Like Frank mentioned, this would have been a good conversion unit. Carlin EZ gas. The sections come apart effortlessly. They have "O" rings, and not push nipples. I would also offer it as a donation to a needy person or place. Very young boiler to just trash

icesailor

The boiler weighs 760# out of the crate. The front and back sections are the heaviest. The three intermediate sections are around 90#

Judging by how long the Weil-McLain "6" Series lasted, and are still running, that is at a minimum a 3 to 3 ratio boiler. Meaning that if the WGO-5 lasts 30 years, it will probably outlast 3 beer cooler boilers. Had a Carlin Ez gas conversion burner been installed, you could have spent the money saved on insulation and weather stripping.

Down firing that boiler to Weil McLain Spec's with a 1.20 GPH nozzle (or lower) gets the AFUE rating to 87% and digital combustion analysis up close to there. On an oversized boiler for the application. Unless you have one huge Hacienda, that is one big boiler. Did the "Contractor" do a complete and total heat loss and radiation take off? Of did he just go look at the rating plate on the old oversized boiler and replace it with a gas boiler just like it.

And because the "Contractor" has been paid, he won't come get the boiler.

Nice.

redwolf

In response to Steamhead I would be happy to donate to Habitat for Humanity , I will give them a call and explain the situation to them , particularly the weight and what they might need to get it up the stairs. I've had it in basement for ever whats a couple weeks or a month !

In response to billtwocase and his suggestion to convert to Carlin ez gas gun. I originally did that because on paper it was the most economical way to do the conversion. But the noise of the Carlin was so loud that it reminded me of a F4 Phantom taking off with full after burners on ,back in Cherry Point. Also the gas valve would let out a clank when it energized or dis-energized and it sounded like someone hitting the black pipe with a wrench. Carlin sent out a rep and swapped out the tube and regulater to no avail . sold on craig's list for 500 and took the loss. Installed the weil mclain GV90+ and couldn't be more happy with it , I have to walk over to see if it is running real quiet unit , I would recommend it .

Once again thanks for everyone's input

redwolf

Steamhead

You must have had a nasty resonance in there, usually they don't sound like that. We just did another EZ-Gas conversion and it's no louder than the oil burner it replaced.

Was yours set up with the smoke pipe coming out the top or the back?

icesailor

redwolf said:

In response to Steamhead I would be happy to donate to Habitat for Humanity , I will give them a call and explain the situation to them , particularly the weight and what they might need to get it up the stairs. I've had it in basement for ever whats a couple weeks or a month !

In response to billtwocase and his suggestion to convert to Carlin ez gas gun. I originally did that because on paper it was the most economical way to do the conversion. But the noise of the Carlin was so loud that it reminded me of a F4 Phantom taking off with full after burners on ,back in Cherry Point. Also the gas valve would let out a clank when it energized or dis-energized and it sounded like someone hitting the black pipe with a wrench. Carlin sent out a rep and swapped out the tube and regulater to no avail . sold on craig's list for 500 and took the loss. Installed the weil mclain GV90+ and couldn't be more happy with it , I have to walk over to see if it is running real quiet unit , I would recommend it .

Once again thanks for everyone's input

redwolf

If the GV90+ is any way near as rugged as the GV's were, that will be competition for the Eveready Bunny.