What could be preventing a heat boiler from circulating water upstairs to the radiator?

andre3wap

New home buyer **yaaaay** I recently bought a cape style house and it is equipped with a Weil McLain Series 1 Boiler (2 zones); its up and running fine except it is only heating the first floor; the base board radiators upstairs doesn't get hot, I opened the bleeding valve on each radiator to see if air/water is circulating, and they both bled for awhile with hissing sounds and water gushing out.

The day after I re-opened back the bleeding valves on the radiators upstairs and nothing came out, as if the boiler isn't pumping water to the radiators upstairs, so thats when I took a pause and decided to get help. Any idea on what could be causing this ? I am thinking maybe frozen pipes, then again maybe the radiator isn't pumping the water upstairs for circulation?

Thanks in advance.

STEVEusaPA

You don't have any water in the boiler, if your gauge is working. You need a pro in there to add the right amount of water to the system, bleed it properly of air, and check the function of your controls/circulator.

Steamhead

Agreed. This is not good. Where are you located? Have you tried the Find a Contractor page of this site?

andre3wap

Thanks for the reply guys. I am located in Willingboro, NJ. I haven't looked up a contractor on here, I am reviewing a few thats closest to me. Just thought I would do some research to see if it's something not too complicated.

PS* - the PSI portion of the gauge is broken, I bought a new one today, will be installing tomorrow.

STEVEusaPA

A few important things
Don't operate the boiler without any water in it.
DONT ADD WATER IF THE BOILER IS VERY HOT!! (Yes I'm yelling, it's that important.
I would wait on the gauge until your tech arrives. If any components need to be fixed/replaced, no sense in draining/filling/purging boiler twice.
If your boiler is out of water, I would also check the function of the fill valve. You should also consider adding a low water cut off device. If you're draining the boiler, you could easily change the well and aquastat to one with the LWCO

JUGHNE

If that gauge looks as if it were twisted beyond its range, (hard to imagine but is possible), you want to be sure that your PRV....pressure relief valve......is in place and functioning. It will open at 30 PSI and this you will notice....locate it and you can test it for flow and resealing. If you have a tech coming have him do it. Sometimes they will not close completely and have to be replaced. Floor drains are your friend at this time.
PRV keeps your boiler from exploding......really, so you know.

Don't add water to the boiler unless it is cool enough to hold your hand on the cast iron parts.....if red hot and you add water your boiler can explode.......really, so you know. PRV will not react quick enough.

STEVEusaPA

@Hatterasguy. OP said...
The day after I re-opened back the bleeding valves on the radiators upstairs and nothing came out,

Not enough water in system.

deadmansghost

Andre, you mentioned that your house has two zones, your picture shows two zones valves, most likely they are not open.

JUGHNE

Post a picture of where the cold water line (probably a small copper water pipe) connects to the boiler. Include any valves or devices in that line and someone here will maybe advise you.

njtommy

Am Botte Mechanical
856 848 8708

These guys are in your area and do great work.