gas boiler sometimes doesn't fire

Tomtuck

For years my gas boiler will often not fire when heat or hot water is called for. (Radiant floor heat.)
I've gotten it to start by swinging the galv. gas pipe back and forth so it touches the sides of the hole where it passes into the boiler (about 1/2" between each side of pipe and side of hole) and/or by turning off the electric for several seconds and turning it back on. I would have to do this 1-3 times a week.
About 1 month ago, I tried wedging some pipe insulation in the hole next to the gas pipe so the pipe is always touching the metal side of the boiler. This seems to have worked! Any idea what's going on? Thanks!

Jamie Hall

Bad ground somewhere in the electrics. Or even, if it is an older installation, no solid ground connection at all and depending on an iffish connection through conduit or piping for the ground.