New Steam Boiler Defected, Smells, and Baby

lamclam

Hi, I just stumbled on this site and hope some of you are able to help.

Where do I start? We just converted from oil to gas heating and we got a Weil McLain EG 50 boiler. We hit the lottery when the top of the block is leaking (see pic attached). We requested for warranty exchange with the manufacturer and they granted it but there has been a shortage of boilers with the supplier/distributor so we have to continue to use it, even though it's leaking a bit, up until we can get it exchanged. Now, with this new boiler, it smells every time it runs or when the heat is on. It stinks up the entire house with this smell that I can't describe.

1) Is it okay to be using the boiler when the block is leaking some water?
2) What is the smell?
3) We have a 10 month old baby in the house and is the smell okay for us to be inhaling?

Thank you for your help!

mattmia2

Is there a crack under that epoxy or is it just leaking between the sections?

Steamhead

@lamclam , is this a one-pipe steam system?

lamclam

we believe its leaking between the sections, we put more of that epoxy for a quick fix and steam is basically coming out from it, is this normal?

lamclam

Here are videos of it.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/cwb8o8qlkk4r6y1/AADKlGaKW5fU2o_v_MEaBtCHa?dl=0

lamclam

Steamhead said:

@lamclam , is this a one-pipe steam system?

yup, they're one-pipe steam systems.

Steamhead

Not normal at all. W-M should replace it quickly.

Meanwhile, if the pressure control is set to cut out higher than 2 PSI, crank it down. The less pressure the boiler builds up, the less it will leak.

lamclam

Steamhead said:

Not normal at all. W-M should replace it quickly. Meanwhile, if the pressure control is set to cut out higher than 2 PSI, crank it down. The less pressure the boiler builds up, the less it will leak.

I totally agree we need it replaced quickly. They're not able to help much since our supplier/distributor are all out of the block due to shortages.

Will lower the pressure control to lessen the leak. 

Do you know if the smell is normal/okay to be breathing in? We have baby in the house and worried it's bad for us.

Thanks a bunch for your advice!!

Steamhead

It might be just the typical "new pipe smell" we frequently encounter. If so, I don't think it's harmful, but I'm not a doctor.................

lamclam

Steamhead said:

It might be just the typical "new pipe smell" we frequently encounter. If so, I don't think it's harmful, but I'm not a doctor.................

Lol! Got it. Again, thank you!

Jamie Hall

If that boiler is leaking between sections, and not in the metal of the sections, it's possible that it was assembled incorrectly. The sections are sealed to each other with O-rings, and those can get twisted on assembly, or not properly tightened.

If it's new, the leak may not have damaged the sections.

Has the installer been called back to check?

nde

Crazy bad luck or installer issue? Hard to believe any competent installer would leave such a boiler, that thing is leaking like a rotted out sieve. The smell is probably new oil from the boiler block it can take 1-4 weeks to totally disappear. If the boiler not skimmed it can smell longer. Usually most noticeable where boiler is located vs rads but with that amount of steam leaking dont know. I hope that thing is on an auto feeder, if not you need to check the water level several times a day to make sure it does not run dry and crack.

Re WM and installer they need to make it right pronto, backorder or not. Suing contractor is probably not worth it but may need to find another one, do a total reinstall, then seek some compensation from other job in small claims or WM directly.

lamclam

Thanks for your advice, Jaime Hall and NDE. I spoke to the installer and they mentioned how the block came as is so it's definitely crazy bad luck on our end. I think the installer did a quick fix for now just so it can run until WM or the supplier gets us that warranty exchange. They keep saying its a national shortage.... I'm not even sure what I can say to them now...

ethicalpaul

it looks from your videos like the epoxy has greatly reduced or even stopped the steam leak (at least temporarily). That part looks good for a temporary fix.

if not you need to check the water level several times a day to make sure it does not run dry and crack.

Well let's not get over-dramatic. There is a low water cutoff to detect...low water....plus the boiler is already a warranty-replacement-to-be so a crack wouldn't be the end of the world...there is always more epoxy out there LOL