New oil boiler is making me sick and I am clueless

Acey_A

Help..
just had a new Utica oil boiler installed 1/29/19 my old Burnham had a leak. So from the beginning there was an odor, but I just thought it was the newness no biggie. However about a week ago I went to the basement and I notice a chemical like taste in my mouth but I continue on with my chores . I began to feel my sinuses open and I started getting serious tension pressure in my head. The taste went to my stomach made it feel sick like after about an hour was very light headed. The next day soon has I went near the boiler same symptoms and now add diarrhea to the mix. It’s like a light fume chemical burn odor which has now traveled up to my main living area and sleeping area so I am breathing this mess in all night. So I wake up with pressure in my head. Ok so I had a single guy company to install to save some money, but he just really installs that’s it, he suggested i have chimney cleaned(I knew that was coming) I called them off course you need a new liner your clay one is broken down and I don’t doubt, it’s not in the greatest shape but I don’t believe that’s the reason for the odor didn’t have it with the older boiler...ok called the company that maintain my previous unit. 2 techs tested how it was drafting out/checked co levels/efficiency and #s came back great also 1 tech check the flue/damper took the top off to see from the top also check the burner the nozzle and you can see clear inside basically clean. Now the cast iron all kinda rusty?? Now from 2 techs they feel it’s the burning off process what they call curing but they have never come across someone with my symptoms only the odor....they keep saying maybe I am sensitive. No I am Sick;(. Does anyone have any suggestions on what might be the issue.

Fred

Well, it's only been a couple weeks and it actually could be the curing process, especially of the pipe dope used at joints and fittings.
Some pictures of the piping around the boiler and the boiler would be a big help for us to make sure the boiler is piped correctly.
Do you have CO detector in the basement and at least one on the first floor? Even though the techs say the flue venting is fine, their assessment is only as good as their knowledge and skills.
The last post we had here, a month or so ago, about a sickening order turned out to be a squirrel that got into the top of the boiler and fried, for a couple weeks. It may make sense to have the installer take the top panel off of the boiler and take a look. I assume the techs took the flue pipe off but did they look into it and at the base of the chimney for dead animals? It's the time of year when animals are trying to find warm places.

SV9_9

I am not a pro, but what you are describing sounds like carbon monoxide poisoning! This could be deadly if left uncorrected. I would get a knowledgeable tech who can make the proper adjustments to the burner do a combustion analysis asap.

Steamhead

SV9_9 said:

I am not a pro, but what you are describing sounds like carbon monoxide poisoning! This could be deadly if left uncorrected. I would get a knowledgeable tech who can make the proper adjustments to the burner do a combustion analysis asap.

This. Where are you located? We may know someone who can help.

HVACNUT

Did anyone do a combustion analysis and smoke test?
That absolutely needs to be done along with setting correct draft.
Noxious odors after a day is bad. Forget about a month.
You need a pro to set things straight.
Lesson learned I guess. You get what you pay for.

GW

Does anyone else in the house feel the same effects? Some people have heightened chemical sensitivity.

If draft is good then you normally wouldn’t smell anything

Possible the draft is slow to get going, maybe

Best of luck

Acey_A

I have a empty nest. When you say draft you mean airing through the flue?

Acey_A

Thanks to all that responded. So much appreciated. I do have a co dectector at the top of basement stairs shows no dectection. The tech did take the top off and did I guess all the necessary test. Air flow/co/efficiency. Oh I am in Bridgeport Ct. I will send some pics. When I figure out to do so.

Acey_A

Pictures of boiler

Acey_A

Top of boiler and the #’s ran for the flue

Intplm.

You say "I guess " he did all the necessary tests? He should have left you a report of that test. Especially if you have questions. He might have left it somewhere near/around the boiler. If not get one from the company. Take a picture of it and post it here.

How old is the CO detector? Is it time to have it replaced?

No need to be feeling sick if this is the cause?

Have him put the missing cover back on the control panel.
Otherwise it looks from here like a nice neat install.

Acey_A

I uploaded the pics of boiler and of the test results from the tech. The co detector is just 1week old.

Acey_A

@intplm. Cover on the control panel. Where is that in the picture?

Acey_A

@intplm sorry again that was an older pic the cover is on the control panel now. Thank you

Acey_A

pecmsg

Standard CO detectors are basically worthless.

From http://www.carbonmonoxidedetectorhq.com/carbon-monoxide-levels-standards/
So when will a UL/CSA-listed carbon monoxide detector alert us to dangerous levels of CO being present? Here’s the summary:
0 – 29 ppm The detector must remain silent. If it has a digital display, it
must show a zero reading. It may show the actual reading, but
only if the user presses a button.
30 – 69 ppm If the carbon monoxide level remains in this range for 30 days, the audible alarm may sound. If a digital display is present, it should show the actual CO level as long as it is 30 ppm or higher.
70 – 149 ppm If the carbon monoxide level remains in this range for 1 to 4 hours, the alarm must sound.
150 – 399 ppm The alarm must sound if the carbon monoxide level remains in this range for 10 to 50 minutes.
400 ppm + The alarm must sound if and only if the carbon monoxide level remains at this level for four minutes and no more than 15 minutes.
Bottom Line: Your UL/CSA-listed carbon monoxide detector will not sound an alarm until you have been exposed to far more carbon monoxide than all of the exposure limits established by the various organizations listed previously.


Search for a Low Level CO Detector

EBEBRATT-Ed

@Acey_A

Combustion test looks ok. I would open the windows and run it hard for a while. It is probably just burning off. But have your chimney checked.

The install looks good except for the sloppy wiring

STEVEusaPA

Maybe the draft is a little high, adjusting that may get your excess air down a little and your CO down a little, maybe undefired, but I agree with Ed (Happy 5000 posts!) Seems to be fine combustion wise.
I just serviced a boiler like this (about a year old) and noticed a smell around it. I took it back apart thinking I might have dropped some plastic tool/part in there, but nothing.
I did notice if you look at the flue collector, where it attaches to the boiler block, that black caulk is new-meaning not how they used to do it. There used to be kaowool or flat rope gasket there in the older ones, with 2 screws that rusted shut and made it a problem.
I wonder if you're smelling that caulk heating up/out gassing.

Next steps I guess you could take is to bring in someone who never been in your home, or not recently, see what they smell, or if you're friendly with your local fire department, ask them if they can come over with their CO detector and have a sniff around.

HVACNUT

See I think those numbers can be better.
Draft -.02 OF, -.04/5 breach
I dont see a smoke test.
0 PPM CO
Higher CO2
O2 4.5- 6.5%
Excess air 25-30%
"T" for Total stack I guess?
How long did he leave the probe in?
A 330° net stack temperature is too low. You might need the liner. And it wont help the CI block.
Do you know if the burner is OEM or retrofit? The reason I ask is it's not a welded flange that you usually get with a burner/boiler match.
If its retro the settings and nozzle could be incorrect for Utica specs.

Again, over a month. There shouldn't be any odors whatsoever.

Acey_A

@pegmsg
This is the co dectector I have and I press the button everyday and it comes back 0

pecmsg

You should have a Low Level alarm also.

Acey_A

ok thank you. I will get one

Acey_A

Ebebratt I did have the windows on for three days straight, but didn’t run the unit hard really. I will crank it up now. All windows open

Acey_A

@HVACNUT i am a little slow with this process so bare with me when i try to answer your ?'s

i wrote that -04/05 he said it was the drafting??
now the first tech did a smoke test where he had a white piece of paper by the flue and it was completely clean. if that what you mean.
0 ppm CO what is that?
so that co2 should be in the range 4.5-6.5 % ?
the probe cant really say, was about a minute for each test
net stack 330 is that the stack of 390.9 thats on the report?
not sure of it is oem or retrofit? i will try to find the info and let you know. thank you

Fred

Do you know what that bead of black sealant on the ends of the vent hood is? Did he use the right sealant, rated for those temps?

STEVEusaPA

Fred said:

Do you know what that bead of black sealant on the ends of the vent hood is? Did he use the right sealant, rated for those temps?

I mentioned that in my thread. That's how they come now, not an aftermarket sealant.

STEVEusaPA

Acey_A said:

@HVACNUT i am a little slow with this process so bare with me when i try to answer your ?'s

i wrote that -04/05 he said it was the drafting??
now the first tech did a smoke test where he had a white piece of paper by the flue and it was completely clean. if that what you mean.
0 ppm CO what is that?
so that co2 should be in the range 4.5-6.5 % ?
the probe cant really say, was about a minute for each test
net stack 330 is that the stack of 390.9 thats on the report?
not sure of it is oem or retrofit? i will try to find the info and let you know. thank you

Although I agree the combustion could be tweaked a little better, it's not the OP's problem.

OP didn't answer the following asked by a few people different ways:
1. Are you the only one smelling this? You mentioned several people being over your home to try to help you?
2. Do you have any other person besides the techs, preferably someone who hasn't been to your home recently, to confirm the smell?
3. Can you have someone with the proper CO monitor, like the fire department, but preferably someone familiar with combustion, come over your home to see if CO is outgassing?

Acey_A

@STEVEusaPA, 2 people said they smelled something but didn’t effect them like the chemical taste I get and tension pressure headache. One other person said they didn’t smell anything but after being here about 30 minutes and leaving that person said they did have a funny taste in their mouth And 2 where new to my home the other hasn’t been here in over a year. I will try to call the fire department and see if they can send someone over. Thank you much

Acey_A

@STEVEusaPA. I did put in for a service call again....waiting now. Anything else you think I should ask or have them do when the person gets here??

GW

Draft is good? It's odd that this is occurring if draft is good.

I had a similar situation a year ago, we installed a new boiler, and the lady was getting headaches. The draft was mediocre. After many long months of back and forth, she finally (after i asked her to do this a multitude times) had her chimney people put a 'wind cap' on top and that was the last i ever heard from her on this topic

Why wind cap? Becasue she said we 'couldn't do a side-wall vented system becasue she had 4 or 5 foot snow drifts against her home'. Drifts mean wind, and wind "could mean problems with draft".

EBEBRATT-Ed

@STEVEusaPA
(Happy 5000 posts!) Seems to be fine combustion wise.

I never even noticed those #s, Thanks, but I think I am spending way too much time on here LOL.

God know how many I will have after I retire and have nothing to do.

Your over 2500yourself and all quality posts I must say!!

STEVEusaPA

After you retire I’m sure of three things:
1. You probably won’t completely.
2. Definitely well earned/deserved.
3. You get to start all your posts with:
a). Before I retired...
—or—
b). Back when I was still working...

We all spend too much time here, yet not enough. Definitely don’t go away. We still have a few 1 pipe vs. 2 pipe discussions left in us 😁

EBEBRATT-Ed

@STEVEusaPA

Oil line issues can be a pita. Don't know how many jobs I have seen where I look at the oil lines and say "this will never work" but it's been working somewhat for 30 yrs. Mostly commercial stuff

GW

Ed, yes! The older I get the less I say 'that will never work". I may say it "looks like poo", but that's a different story

EBEBRATT-Ed

@GW , how true!!

Acey_A

Ok guys update...new tech change the nozzle from b to w said short fire/less combustion, also programmed for a post perge said without that the gas sit in the unit and not pushed out after the burner has shut down. Tested I think fuel pump the metal piece goes into the nozzle said should be 100 was 110?? Also change the air flow on the burner they where open to much.

Acey_A

Acey_A

Also checked the flame said looks good....these are the new #s

Put I still have a chemical smell in the house, ...keep windows open all morning also closed them and tried using dehumidifier and turned off the boiler. Came home after about 3 hours still same smell. I will try to air out as mush as possible......I just don’t know.

Acey_A

does anyone know if it's possible for oil to travel through the pipes and chemical smell comes through heating baseboard??? 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ I swear I know I am reaching, but like is said clueless and adding desperate Now.

STEVEusaPA

Smells are the hardest to pin down, especially if it only appears to be affecting you.
Smells wouldn't come 'from' the baseboard, but any cleaner used 'on' the baseboard could create a smell when heated up.
I'd (once again) have someone with a real carbon monoxide detector walk around when YOU smell it to see what they find.
Also, just because your draft appears to be fine, doesn't mean your chimney isn't leaking products of combustion back into your home.
So why the tech is there do you smell anything? Does he smell anything?

Acey_A

@STEVEusaPA the one tech that came out Saturday said he only smelled exhaust in the basement and he did some adjustments to the burner. Not sure it you see above the updated # from the tech. Ok so I did have a chimney company they did say the clay liner is breaking down and I never had a cap on it and I know it needs some attention..but just seems like a coincidence that its taking place with this new one. Pictures of chimney