How to find leak sending steam up the chimney

Steve Garson_2

As the weather warms, how exactly do I find the leak that is sending steam up the chimney from my WM SGO4?

I assume that I will fill the boiler to the very top. Is it then a matter of just waiting? Do I need to take the sheet metal cover off, which will require removing the many things that are screwed to the steel? Or will the water simply end up running down the boiler onto the floor, at which point I would lower the water level to prevent flooding my floor? Would the water end up coming into the combustion chamber, in which case I should open the door that holds the burner?

All advice is appreciated.

Any contractors that service Newton, MA, please feel free to contact me. This will be a warm weather project. The boiler if 9 years old.

Thanks,

Steve Garson
Newton, MA

Robert O'Brien

Section rotted out above water line or possibly a bad seal between sections,either way it's time to start boiler shopping

Charlie from wmass

Yes fill and wait. Open the fire chamber and remove the sheet metal.

Charlie from wmass

25 gallons a season may not be a leak in the boiler.

nicholas bonham-carter

I took off the PRV from our old American Standard, and screwed in a vertical pipe to the tapping. I filled the boiler until the water was at the top of the extension pipe, and could see the level going down fairly quickly.
The higher the new pipe is, the more pressure will be exerted on the sections of the boiler, and wet returns. Examine everything carefully, and you may find a leaking return, instead of the boiler--NBC

Fred

A leaking return isn't going to send steam up the chimney. In all probability, if steam is going out the chimney, there is a leak in the boiler block, above the water line. Take the top panel off, to the extent you can, as well as the side panels and fill the boiler till water is in the risers from the boiler to the header. Then watch for water to leak out.

Charlie from wmass

I will be in Milton on Wednesday I can stop by on my way home.

RobG

Charlie from wmass said:

I will be in Milton on Wednesday I can stop by on my way home.

You can't go wrong with Charles. Take him up on the offer. It sounds like your boiler has "given up the ghost". If you can get Charlie to replace it you will be well served.

Steve Garson_2

Charlie, thanks for your response. I won't be around on Wednesday. I'll send you an email directly. The large amount of water usage only happened during the six week period of real cold weather. Besides that, it has not been unusual. The work you did to move the radiant from the Combicore to the Everhot heat exchanger worked perfectly. Heating bill went down 5% even though the heating degree days went up.

Steve

RobG

Leave a key with a neighbor so that he doesn't have to make a return trip. JMHO

Charlie from wmass

I will also be out East Friday to pickup my sons. I can stop before I pick them up or after I pick them up so 8.30 a.m. or 4.00 p.m.

Steve Garson_2

Charlie, Wednesday could work. Talk to you off line.

Fred

"Any contractors that service Newton, MA, please feel free to contact me. This will be a warm weather project. The boiler if 9 years old."

If this boiler is only 9 years old, dig out your paperwork and, after you find the leak, maybe Charlie can help you get a replacement boiler/Block from WM under the 10 year warranty.