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Weil-McLain Draft Hood issue

Krum
Krum Member Posts: 23
hi Guys,
as I mentioned before, the LGB is sooting really hard. The reason is the open bottom of the draft hood. as soon as we enclose it the boiler runs like a charm. I guess the reason is this opening is by-passing air at its full amount and is not able to draw through the boiler. When we close the boiler bottom the draft goes through the boiler and the flame has the proper color.
The question is: Can we modify this draft hood (enclosing the open bottom) and add a barometric damper to be able to control the draft?
thank you in advance
Krum

Comments

  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 5,804
    Not unless you're licensed and insured. 
    Has anyone; opened the top to check/clean the flue passages, removed and cleaned the burners, checked the gas pressure, check actual draft, done a combustion test?
    Any giant exhaust fans or something that would effect draft?

    EBEBRATT-Edmattmia2STEVEusaPA
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,455
    Does not sound like a good idea. @HVACNUT has good advise.
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 7,725
    edited February 2023
    Weil McLain should be consulted. The should send the area representative to your location to determine if that is a proper fix. Then you need to get it in writing from the technical design department to cover your but.

    I had a problem venting a GV boiler over 30 years ago. We needed to vent it thru the crawl space. It was the only way to do it in the condo apartment complex. We contacted Weil McLain before the boiler was added to the specifications of the job. They returned a great shop drawing of the needed condensation drain when the vent was lower than the standard vent outlet that was in the instruction manual. With their blessing we were able to specify the boiler for that condo. Of course there were over 150 units in that complex. The area rep was happy to get that specification for us. (I never told him that this was the only unit getting a boiler because the buyer of that unit only, did not want hot air heat)

    If you ask the correct way you will get what you need. Like how many other buildings like this are you planning on replacing the boilers in?
    (You may not replace them for another 20 years but they are in the plans for new equipment eventually)
    Edward F Young. Retired HVAC ContractorSpecialized in Residential Oil Burner and Hydronics
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 9,576
    You cold see if @captainco knows someone in your area who can do it properly too.
  • Krum
    Krum Member Posts: 23
    HVACNUT said:

    Not unless you're licensed and insured. 
    Has anyone; opened the top to check/clean the flue passages, removed and cleaned the burners, checked the gas pressure, check actual draft, done a combustion test?
    Any giant exhaust fans or something that would effect draft?

    it is a new installation. flue and boiler, and piping as well. all new. we asked Weil-Mclain to review the issue and comment. let's see what they will come up with.
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,042
    You mention the boiler bottom, could there be a bottom pan missing?

    Or are the corners (only) of the boiler up on blocks?

    No solid pad under it?

    FWIW