McDonnel + Miller auto filler

ratbone

oil guy says mine is clogged, hard to clean, and likely obsolete. wants to install a new different type with all new plumbing. i smell rip-off. mine does not add water so it definitely needs something. when i push the red over ride button down nothing happens. i see that there is a filter replacement available. can i clean mine? might this be the problem?

ScottSecor

I think your correct there is a metallic filter.   Unfortunately,  I'm not sure we have ever been successful in replacing one.  Typically the entire port is clogged with debris.   Your oil guy may not be wrong.

If you have plenty of time, I see no harm in trying it yourself.  I doubt you would be happy if you had to pay a professional to open it up, only to find it is not cost effective to fix.

EBEBRATT-Ed

You could remove it and put it on a bench to work on and reconnect the water with a manual valve for the time being.

Keep in mind that MM parts are expensive even if you by them yourself.

I would not blame your contractor. he is only trying to stay in business. For him to buy the parts and try and clean the old feeder up and get the parts to fix it what if he is unsuccessful? Who pays for the parts and labor.

In some way he is looking out for his self interest and yours by installing something new.

How old is the feeder/ If it's over 10 years old I would just toss it.

But if you want to take a crack at it yourself you have little to loose.

ethicalpaul

Have you considered disconnecting it and monitoring/adding water manually? You get a much better idea of if you have a leak that way.

EdTheHeaterMan

Fixing the old M&M feeder is definitely a DIY project. As a pro I would not want to try it, only to find that it is beyond repair. If I had a replacement on the truck already (which I never did carry one in stock) I might offer you the option of trying to look at the strainer to clean it, for $$$ but that it would probably end up in the trash. If you needed a replacement I could add a manual valve for $$$ or a new auto feeder for $$$$. And the choice would be yours.

Since I didn't have those on the truck, I would need to charge $$$$$$ because I would need to go get one and return later to replace it. All that travel time needs to be paid for by someone? My mechanic isn’t going to go get it for free. And he isn’t going to sit there and wait for YOU to go get it for free either. If I got to pay him, then you need to pay me for that time (and gasoline).

I like @ethicalpaul's idea for now. If you don't already have a manual valve, then get one installed. (but Paul has nothing else to do with his time, except make cool videos about his steam boiler)

PS: Is that feeder operate on 24 Volts? If it is a 120 VAC unit then the wiring should be enclosed and the wire nuts should be covered inside that little box.

ratbone

thanks for quick response. i already have a manual water adder. i had this unit installed to enable me to leave the house for a few weeks in the winter. the reason i was suspicious was because the oil service guy said this model was no longer available and that the replacement would have to be replumbed in. he did say that they were hard to clean as some of you said. at 500 bux i am going to have a go. time i have plenty of.

Gordo

For what it's worth, my video on the M&M 101a

https://youtu.be/LQ-ETtsPLQY

pedmec

you can try it and clean the strainer but don't be surprised if you shear one of the heads off of the bolts.