Old Detroit controls gas valve

Redcdr

I’m here for my annual boiler question. People here really seem to have knowledge that a lot of local plumbing and heating guys don’t. I have a very old boiler in Avery old house. This morning the t stat was calling for heat, but the boiler wasn’t firing. I opened the cover to this gas valve and blew some dust off of it and the boiler fired. This same thing happened last season, but ran fine after that. Should I be getting this replaced, or is it possible it’s just getting dirty and needs cleaned every once in a while? My fear isn’t so much that it fails to open, but fails to close.

retiredguy

The first house I bought in 1972 and was built around 1950 had one of these gas valves installed on it's furnace. It worked fine and never failed. How long will it last, who knows. It will last until it doesn't. The one problem that I know of with this valve is that when they get older they tend to stick "open", causing a dangerous condition. My advice would be to replace it ASAP, for your and your family's safety. The boiler it is installed on was a very good boiler.