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Wet boiler jacket insulation a problem?

cubicacres
cubicacres Member Posts: 360
in Strictly Steam
After removing the boiler drain valve & the adapter mentioned in prior posts to add a 1" brass nipple (maybe a 3-4" pipe for easy pipe wrench use in the future?) & new full port ball valve, about a gallon of water kept coming out of the boiler after removing the adapter, since l don't have the new nipple & valve yet.  I tried to collect it to keep it from soaking the boiler jacket insulation, but couldn't stop most of it from dripping all along the side of the jacket insulation about 2x3 feet or so per the photo.  I set a box fan running by it tonight, but does it need replacement or can the insulation work ok if left to dry out?  I think removing that jacket would require starting on the other side of our WMC EG 75 boiler to remove several screws.

Comments

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,381
    If it were me, I'd just let it dry out. Make sure, though, that the firebox refractory wasn't damaged.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • cubicacres
    cubicacres Member Posts: 360
    Ok, we'll turn off the box fan blowing on it in a day or two.  Not sure what the firebox refractory is, or how to check it for damage.   :)
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,856
    What @Steamhead is saying is that if the water didn't get inside the boiler, you'll be fine.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 16,315
    It'll dry out mighty fast as soon as you put it back together and fire the boiler.

    So you've got that going for you.

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,381
    cubicacres said:

    Ok, we'll turn off the box fan blowing on it in a day or two.  Not sure what the firebox refractory is, or how to check it for damage.   :)

    It's the white layer surrounding the back and sides of the burner chamber.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 16,315
    Steamhead said:
    Ok, we'll turn off the box fan blowing on it in a day or two.  Not sure what the firebox refractory is, or how to check it for damage.   :)
    It's the white layer surrounding the back and sides of the burner chamber.
    I don't recall my EG series having any refractory.  Just metal plates at the front and back and the bare block at the sides.

    My memory could be failing me though it's been 11 years.

    @KC_Jones do you remember?

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.

    mattmia2
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,381
    Most atmospheric gas boilers do have this refractory. @cubicacres , if you're not sure, check the parts breakdown for yours.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • KC_Jones
    KC_Jones Member Posts: 5,840
    I just looked under mine and I see no refractory material.
    2014 Weil Mclain EG-40
    EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Boiler Control
    Boiler pictures updated 2/21/15
  • cubicacres
    cubicacres Member Posts: 360
    I didn't see the firebox refractory part listed in the WMC EG70 manual, so I think we might be ok. Just a 1/2 gallon or so of water dribbled around a few feet of the drain valve on the South side of one of the boiler insulation panels (spread out 3-4 feet as it dripped/soaked across the insulation panel, dripping out the bottom of both panel corners).

    If there were water in the firebox, how would this problem/damage manifest itself? Would the burners fail to light when we start it up in a few more days with the replacement valve & nipple? Also, if we want to add a 1" clear hose for draining, are some materials better than others since it will be hot water up to 211F when we drain it ocassionally (or maybe not an issue if we wash it out when cold & just a few ounces in a bucket on the side without adding a hose after the ball valve)?

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