WTGO Weil McLain 2 Zone Valves No Heat, with continous running water in the boiler

DonJAG7

Hello…As described in the discussion title above, I just changed the nozzle, filter, two-zone valves, and pressure relief valve, hoping my heating issue would be resolved. However, there's no heat at all. There's continuous running water going into the boiler whenever one of the heating zone thermostats is activated. There is no light on the Beckett starter unit, Genysis 7505. Also, the linning inside the boiler is damp. How can I resolve my issue (s)?

Jamie Hall

Continuous running water into the boiler? I hope that's meant to be continuous running water through the boiler… because if not, I'm going to ask where the water is going? I'm thinking major leak…

EdTheHeaterMan

@DonJAG7  Said: There's continuous running water going into the boiler

Where is the water coming from and where is it going to?

The T in WTGO indicates that you have a tankless coil water heater. Is that where the water is flowing all the time?

OR

Is the water in the closed loop that goes to the radiators flowing continuous?

And so you know, just changing parts to solve a problem that you can't diagnose is not a good way to solve a problem. That is like replacing the doors and the engine then the back seat in your car to fix a flat tire. All those parts may be nice but you still have a flat.

The lining inside the boiler being damp is of concern. Is it damp with fuel oil or is it damp with water? Both dampness are kind'a serious. Can you get a professional to look at it. If it is OIL then stop trying to start it. You have a dangerous fire condition. If it is damp with water, then you may have a crack in the boiler. That requires a replacement boiler to fix that.

DonJAG7

Ok, please don't cut my head off, guys. I came here asking for help. Let me clarify a few points.

1. The running water - I'm assuming it's running water, and this happened when I turned on the thermostat on the lower floor. It did not happen when I turned on the main thermostat on the first floor. This running water comes from the Taco line and goes to the boiler. The top part of the Taco line is cool to the touch, but the bottom pipe that goes to the boiler is warmer.
2. The items that I've changed were due to be replaced. They were faulty. One of my neighbors noticed thick black smoke and alerted me. My nozzle was all gunky and damaged. I replaced it with a similar nozzle. The pressure relief valve was leaking a lot of water. After I replaced it, it stopped leaking. One of the zone valves was the original that came with the boiler. It was rusted, and the lever was loose. I bleed the oil and removed air from the water line. At least, I think I did.
3. I'm not sure if there is a leak somewhere, but there is no indication of such.
4. Edward Young Retired - I don't know what else to check for. I'm trying to get a professional to diagnose the boiler correctly.

SuperTech

You performed repairs that you were not qualified to do, and this is the result. I'm not trying to be rude or harsh about it but this isn't DIY territory. You need a technician who knows hydronics, combustion analysis and everything else involved in service and repair of your boiler. Just because you can fire the parts cannon at the boiler doesn't mean you should.

Jamie Hall

Let me see if I have this straight: you hear running water when you turn on the thermostat for the lower floor, but not on the main (I presume higher?) floor.

Ah… do you have enough water in the boiler and system?

HVACNUT

Any kids dressed as oil technicians by you? Sounds like you could use it.

Shut everything off and call someone who's qualified.

DonJAG7

@SuperTech That might be the case. However, the concerns I listed existed before and after I performed the repairs.

@Jamie Hall Yes, there's plenty of water. I just opened the furnace, and it appears that the liner is somewhat damp and discolored ( a tan-like color), but I don't know what color it was before to compare it to, and I feel like it is damp because the long prong that I used to check it feels like it was kind of soft.

DonJAG7

@EdTheHeaterMan I appreciate your comments about not being able to diagnose the issue (s) before I started to perform repairs. It is WTGO, but there is an extension tank, about 5g capacity, that the water goes into. I hope that clarifies it a bit.

Is anyone else making the same comments about improper diagnosis? I get it. I already admitted to my mistakes. I'm looking for a way forward.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Probably nothing wrong with the chamber. They are soft and they can discolor.

You just need a qualified oil tech. Once you replace the nozzle you need a combustion test and if the boiler was sooted it needs cleaning and adjusting

Jamie Hall

Is there a pressure gauge? If so, what does it read? I'm thinking that your problem may be that you have lots of air in the system.

DonJAG7

@HVACNUT A bit on the extreme side, but I get it. However, the boiler runs like before. I've discussed the concerns with my regular tech, and he advised me to stay off without heat (it's 70 degrees Fahrenheit) ); he's coming in the morning.

DonJAG7

@EBEBRATT-Ed and @Jamie Hall 20 psi, it could be that too. I agree with you both.

EdTheHeaterMan

@DonJAG7 Said: Also, the linning inside the boiler is damp. How can I resolve my issue (s)?

I under stood the "linning" to be the combustion chamber. If I'm wrong then perhaps it is the yellow insulation between the cast iron boiler and the metal jacket cover. If the "linning" is inside the front door of the boiler, then that is the chamber. If the chamber is wet with oil, that could cause all that black soot the neighbor saw.

@DonJAG7 Said: This running water comes from the Taco line and goes to the boiler

I am not sure what a Taco Line actually is. Do you have a Taco Circulator pump?, Do you have a Taco auto feed valve?, Do you have a Taco air scoop? Perhaps a picture of the Taco Line would be a better way to explain the Taco line

@DonJAG7 Said: @EdTheHeaterMan I appreciate your comments about not being able to diagnose the issue (s) before I started to perform repairs. It is WTGO, but there is an extension tank, about 5g capacity, that the water goes into. I hope that clarifies it a bit.

Again I am not sure what an extension tank is. Could you be talking about the expansion tank? An expansion tank is a tank with an air cushion. When the water in your heater gets hot, the water actually expands. That means it gets bigger. If you have 25 gallons of 60° water and you heat it up to 180° to heat your home, then you actually have over 26 gallons of water. Same water, if you put all that water on a scale it would weigh the same … it's just bigger. The air cushion in the expansion tank is a place for that extra water to go. And that happens very slowly. You will not hear the water flowing into that tank. And you will not hear the water leaving that tank when the water cools down. That water just slowly pushed the air in the tank out of the way so it can be in the tank when the rest of the system is full of water and there is no other place for the water to go. The Expansion tank is not a water heater tank. Your water heater is a tankless coil inside the boiler. There is no water tank for your hot water unless someone places a 30 or 40 gallon tank next to the heater and added a circulator to move water from the coil to the tank. You would know if it was there. It would take up a lot of room next to the heater. Almost as much room as the WTGO heater itself.

@DonJAG7 Said: my regular tech, and he advised me to stay off without heat (it's 70 degrees Fahrenheit) ); he's coming in the morning.

Good advise to follow.

HVACNUT

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1817404#Comment_1817404

The neighbors alerted you of thick black smoke, so you thought it wise to not immediately call your "regular tech", but to start working on the burner yourself. THAT'S extreme. Your oil burner is NOT DIY. Get someone who is qualified. It sounds like it might be a saturation, so have some marshmallows handy.

DonJAG7

Update - The technician came out to see the problem. He told me that I needed to take the air out of the system and decided to teach me how to do it. @Jamie Hall You were correct.

@EdTheHeaterMan , you are correct. It is an expansion tank. Thank you all for your comments.