Expansion tanks going bad very quickly…

Heatintheboat

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

Big Ed_4

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

hot_rod

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

EBEBRATT-Ed

Looks upside down from what I can see.

mattmia2

Is the system taking on fresh water? If that is happening to the tank it is happening to the boiler too.

GGross

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

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

GGross

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

Bad tank is a bad tank...They are cheap enough...swap it.  Mad Dog 🐕 

mattmia2

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.

GGross

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.

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

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.

MarkC

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

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.

Ironman

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.