5 year old Burnham PIN7 steam boiler leaking

Kybeans403

Evening, I'm not new to the site but finally going to do some posting and figured I'd start with steam. I didn't install this and this afternoon was first time on site. Unit is 5 years old, all the wet returns are exposed with no signs of leaks. VXT digital feeder showed 850 gallons but homeowner didn't know what that was nor was there any old tickets from any prior service to give me a baseline number....a lot of new water....It's Connecticut well water but I was not able to test pH, shame on me. Customer called us and went out today for a no heat call...(I understand it's October 5th...) I hope picture shows up....Entire burner tray, burners and bottom of the block corroded. Filled boiler up to risers to get some water weight in there and found 2 visible drips under there on 2 of the sections. Pilot tube also had 3 smalls holes eaten away where it ran close to the tray (very strange.....think there's some reactions going on) Anyone seen this so bad after 4 years of running? We're under contract to replace it in 2 weeks. Burnham may cover cost of block if they determine it wasn't dry fired or filied excessively with fresh water. Ill try to add some pics tomorrow. Thanks! Kyle

MilanD

850 gal of well water is your answer. Well water is haaaard!! And when that water is going somewhere, Ca and Mg stay inside, latch on to the casting and cause graphitic corrosion (excess heat on the section). When you break that baby up you'll see a huge blister opposite of the pinhole leak.

Get a hardness tester or better yet the chem kit and check tds. I guarantee boiler water is above 300. Find the leaks, they are there. 200+ gallons a year is a lot of water.

Dealt with similar thing on our LGB after 6.5 heating seasons. I actually just posted on the thread. Now will be using distilled water with steamaster to raise pH to 9+, and have fixed the leaks, of course. Will monitor O2 concentration and add sodium sulfite (not sulfate!!) if needed.

You may consider Rohmar boiler water replacement if water is bad.

Danny Scully

I replaced a Burnham Independence last year that was around the same age. If it’s an IN7 make sure you’re using both risers and ATLEAST a 3” header. Obviously you’ll want to test the water quality and correct any leaks.

Steamhead

This seems to be a problem with these boilers. They don't tolerate any water usage at all. Some years ago, we replaced one- IN5 I think- that had been replaced twice in the previous decade. We found and fixed some very tiny leaks at the convector shutoff valves, which didn't look like much but there they were. Water supply was Baltimore City water system, which is still one of the best.

On this one, we installed a Smith G-8- they were still making these back then.

New England SteamWorks

Steamhead said:

This seems to be a problem with these boilers. They don't tolerate any water usage at all.

Agree completely. Which is why I never use them. Bad news in my book.

Kybeans403

Kybeans403

10/16/17 update: Burnham rep out today to inspect boiler for possible factory defects......clearly doesn't seem to be the case but he snooped around basement and took water sample and didn't say one way or the other if US Boiler would warranty the block. I was not able to find anything other than a leaky main vent. Entire return was inspected, we put a lot of water up past the header to see. From what I saw a vent would not cause 700+ gallons of agua to leave the system. Crack was below water line. Guy did take water sample so it may be a few days before we hear back.

Gordo

@Kybeans403 : I'd take a close look at the VXT on that zombie boiler. Sometimes those VXT solenoid valves stick closed or almost closed. What that can do is to drive the feeder count way up (it works on a timer, as I am sure sure you know), without actually adding anywhere near the full amount of water indicated.

I am very interested in what that Burnham rep says back to you.
Very interested indeed.

j a_2

Good guestion Mr. Gordo, I think a lot of manufactures take a lot unwarrentd hits here...When it's actually not there issue at all...

ChrisJ

> @j a said:
> Good guestion Mr. Gordo, I think a lot of manufactures take a lot unwarrentd hits here...When it's actually not there issue at all...

Oh it's warranted because their warranty is usually useless and they do everything they can to get out of it.

It's not just here people are complaining about it everywhere and it's not just on steamers or even boilers for that matter.

We already know what the Burnham rep is going to say.

newagedawn

burnhams are garbage boilers, burnham should be boycotted

Kybeans403

US Boiler sent me an email today saying basically;

We read the VXT feeder number and it said 700+ so not good, there's one leaky main vent (but that can't account for all the water can it?)They said more than a gallon a day? They asked that I find the leaks in return but I have yet to find anything as they are all exposed in basement and crawlspace...,so they deemed it a corrosion issue.

Anyway US Boiler offered a block and base for several hundred bucks .....which can be credited back if I send old unit back to them on my dime and they deem it a factory issue.

Gordo

Why am I not surprised?

j a_2

Another good argument for not installing a automatic water feeder..that's not really an automatic water feeder...can't just let the thing sit in the basement..most boilers come with homeowner responsibility's and a good installer will advise and walk them thru the procedure...would love to see a log attached in the area of the boiler, for record keeping...if I owned a boiler company, before I handed out warranty monies, I would absolutely make sure the installation manual was followed, and the proper permits if required we're followed...All that said that is a Massachusetts mentality due to the install instructions require a licensed Mass. plumber do the install.I knew many a landords that locked the basement, then only showed up once every 6 months...if that.to inspect there property.

BobC

@j a I agree completely, auto water feeders promote neglect - very few really need them. If water has to be fed more than once or twice a season you have a leak, find it and fix it - don't ignore it.

For 8 years I used to go out to Oklahoma for 10-14 days at a time, I had a neighbor check the house a couple of times a week and never had a problem.

Bob

Kybeans403

Kybeans403