Does a boiler require a specific type of drain valve?

stormbytes

I have a Burnham IN6 steam boiler. I noticed last night the drain valve (I'm sure there's some other name for this part) located on the right side of the boiler was dripping. I tried googling for the part but I can't seem to find this part unless I google "water heater drain valve". Was this the correct part? What should I use to replace this? Do I need to add any fittings to extend this?

dopey27177

yes the drain valve from a water heater is the right replacement.

Jake

Big Ed_4

That drain valve was from a era of supplied crappy drain valves. I call it a do not touch valve . I would replace it with a 3/4" drain valve , 3/4" brass coupling and nipple ..

BobC

My 2013 steam boiler had a slow drip at the boiler drain valve by year 2. Because of it's location I patched it with a brass threaded cap and teflon tape.

Bob

Big Ed_4

With that type valve the bonnet is sealed with a gasket , there is no packing it may leak with a cap ... Crappy valve

ethicalpaul

Here's a Weil-McClain one but why do they shrink down the outlet like that?? I guess to provide the garden hose hookup. But I don't have any floor drains, so I just empty mine into a bucket anyway.

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Weil-McLain-511-246-392-3-4-Drain-Valve

I just used a full port ball valve with a nipple and a street elbow to aim the flow downward :

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Bluefin-BVT075-3-4-Full-Port-Threaded-Ball-Valve-Lead-Free