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What is this fluid?

mjfric
mjfric Member Posts: 1
in Oil Heating

Hi new to forum. Had two different oil guys here to check my burner since I noticed some sort of liquid on the floor near the unit (see pics). Neither knew what it was but said that all looked fine, no oil or water leak and pressure was fine. Before I cleanup and forget about this mystery fluid has anyone noticed this before? Believe them? Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

oilburner.jpg
oilburner2.jpg

Comments

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 10,754
    edited October 28

    Look in around the burners to see if you see any water there. Looks more like your foundation is leaking or a sewer is backing up.

    or whatever is dripping on top of the boiler.

  • SuperTech
    SuperTech Member Posts: 2,382

    If it's not oil or water, what is it? Oil would be pretty obvious. It's probably dirty water from somewhere and it's right around the boiler, hmmm. Just because pressure is fine and it's not gushing water everywhere doesn't mean it's not leaking. To rule out the boiler I would shut it down and allow it to cool down and remove the jacket from it and inspect the sections. Those old Weil McLain boilers are known for the seals between the sections not holding up and that a really old boiler.

  • Grallert
    Grallert Member Posts: 744

    That's a pretty old boiler, no doubt a relief valve or air vent maybe the expansion tank has opened sometime in the past. What you see is the solids left behind after the water has evaporated. Super common with old boilers.

    Miss Hall's School service mechanic, greenhouse manager,teacher and dog walker
    EdTheHeaterMan
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,157

    Have you ever used the garden hose to clean off the sidewalk or driveway? When you stop in the middle of the project and return hours later after the water has evaporated away, you will find similar markings. The dirt left behind after the water evaporates.

    Well you have about 40 years of water spills or drips that have evaporated away on the top of that boiler. Some Formula 409® spray cleaner of perhaps CLR® spray cleaner will make short work of those stains. You may need to add some Elbow Grease™ to that cleaner.

    🤣🤣🤣 If you count the rings of that stain, you will see how many years the previous service technicians did not wipe down the boiler jacket after the maintenance was completed. LOL 🤣🤣🤣

    Edward Young Retired

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

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