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Expansion tanks going bad very quickly…

Heatintheboat
Heatintheboat Member Posts: 1
in THE MAIN WALL


Expansion tanks going bad with leaks very quickly. Is there more to this than just “check the PH and air in the system?”

Comments

  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 3,025
    edited February 20
    The tank should be installed hanging down and wet ... Not sure from the photo if it is or not ... If it is , Defective .. Worse one I seen being less then 2 years old

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,422
    What type of fluid, plain water? Ph would be the first thing to check 

    Is it connected to a radiant system with non barrier tube?

    consider one of the Pro tanks. They have a plastic liner
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    mattmia2kcopp
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,507
    Looks upside down from what I can see.
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 10,959
    Is the system taking on fresh water? If that is happening to the tank it is happening to the boiler too.
  • GGross
    GGross Member Posts: 1,295
    It's bad water, its really bad water, its coming out the pinholes it made as sludge. Address the poor water quality, and in the mean time install a lined expansion tank, either a domestic expansion tank, or a the EX pro series tanks, adjust the pressure for your system before install
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,519
    Welcome to the Club.  Extrols used to last 20 years. Last 15 years 6 or 7. I think is poor quality diaphragm   Mad Dog 🐕 
    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
    SuperTechIntplm.
  • GGross
    GGross Member Posts: 1,295
    Mad Dog_2 said:

    Welcome to the Club.  Extrols used to last 20 years. Last 15 years 6 or 7. I think is poor quality diaphragm   Mad Dog 🐕 

    this looks to be failed on the water side
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,519
    edited February 20
    Bad tank is a bad tank...They are cheap enough...swap it.  Mad Dog 🐕 
    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 10,959
    If it failed because of a defect in the tank I believe they have a 5 year warranty but i'm not convinced of the problem being the tank.
    hot_rod
  • GGross
    GGross Member Posts: 1,295
    7 years on the standard EX series tanks. Locally the rep will usually warranty pinholes to keep everyone happy, but generally speaking a pinhole leak means its poor water quality, not a tank defect, I then work with the installer to explain what we are warrantying, why , and how to address the actual problem. You can replace the tank but that likely won't fix the problem. There is sludge coming out of it....
  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 2,200
    Sadly, if the paint gets scratched or even slightly damaged the tanks leak as shown.
    They need to be handled very gently.
    Im seriously considering another type of tank that are not as wimpy as these.
  • HomerJSmith
    HomerJSmith Member Posts: 2,635
    edited February 20
    Black, black, black indicates to me anti-freeze gone bad, long over due for a flushing and change. The problem with acid is electron flows in a boiler sys or your car radiator. I would want to make sure that there isn't electron flows in the water and that the boiler and components are thoroughly grounded. I remember ,vaguely, something about dissimilar metals and current flows, oh well, probably misinformation.
    Water quality is important in a radiant sys. Did I say water quality is important???

    It is mounted correctly not upside down, look at the indented ring above the weld and the writing.
    GGross
  • MarkC
    MarkC Member Posts: 18
    Yes! Had a new tank fail within 2 months or so from install. Don't have the tank model details but it was an internal diaphragm leak. Because the make-up water valve was open and the tank filled from the ruptured diaphragm, the heater's pressure relief valve was opening on occasion - not sure but likely during high fire DHW calls.
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,407
    The OP calls themself @Heatintheboat... Is this system on a BOAT? Are you running sea water in the system? That might explain a lot. Especially if the system is serviced by a boat yard mechanic. The are not familiar with this stuff.

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    Ironmanmattmia2
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,556
    EdTheHeaterMan said:
    The OP calls themself @Heatintheboat... Is this system on a BOAT? Are you running sea water in the system? That might explain a lot. Especially if the system is serviced by a boat yard mechanic. The are not familiar with this stuff.
    I was wondering the same thing.
    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.

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