How many times do you cycle the boiler after replacing a part?

RayWohlfarth

I have been known to be OC but not sure if Im over the top on this. I was on a job site and the tech replaced part on a boiler with an intermittent failure. When done, he cycled it once and said, "Okay."

"Aren't you going to check it again?" I asked and he shook his head. Usually I like the cycle the boiler 8-10 times to make sure it works The tech told me he knew after one cycle. Not sure I agreed. Just curious what you do.

With his finger on the shut off switch

Ray

jesmed1

I think your point is that with an "intermittent" failure, the fact that the system works correctly once for a few seconds (or minutes) after replacing a part is no guarantee that you fixed the problem.

I think anyone who has tried to fix their own car with, say, an intermittent electrical problem would agree with you.

EdTheHeaterMan

Once I determine what the cause of the intermittent problem is, then fixing that item is good for me. I might try 3 to 5 cycles.

For example: You have an ignition transformer on an oil burner that fails to ignite the burner 3 to 5 times a week. it is probably caused by the transformer heating up and cycling off by the limit and then cycling back on in a short time. the warm windings on the transformer fail to make a spark. the burner goes off on safety. By the time anyone realizes there is no heat, the transformer cools off, so when the reset is pushed the burner lights properly with no tell tail sign of a problem.

After cycling the burner 20 times on the third call for the same problem you find the transformer fails to light the burner and it is hot to the touch. Viola! bad transformer. Replace the transformer and test the burner with one or two cycles. Problem solved. But that is because you are sure the transformer IS the problem.

That may not be the case in every intermittent problem though. If you are not 100% sure you got it right, like cleaning a flame sensor, and you are doing the lower cost repair first with the possibility that a more expensive repair may follow, then I may cycle several times. Every problem is different.

EdTheHeaterMan

BTW. HBD!

Matt_67

The guy that taught me always said at least three times

ScottSecor

For me, it depends on nature of the call, the type of job, etc.

Example #1. Regular customer (apartment house) has no heat and when we arrive the ten year old gas burner that we installed is in lockout. We are told that the super hit the button a few times yesterday and the burner motor sounded noisy. We hit the reset button and find the burner motor has finally failed. We remove and replace the burner and test fire the boiler. After five minutes we cycle it and it runs fine, we leave.

Example #2. New customer (different apartment house) has no heat and when we arrive they tell us the burner has been acting up since it was installed last year. Oh, and the new building super has was hired yesterday. In other words, we do not the history, we do not know if it a piping problem, burner problem, control problem, pumping problem, etc. This could take all day to diagnose and oftentimes we learn there are a few problems. While examining the heating system we are trying to determine the most important issue. On this job we have to "cycle" the components many times to verify a repair or solution to a problem.

EBEBRATT-Ed

I agree with the above posts. Every job is different.

If you find the problem and it is clear cut that that was the problem you replace the part and 2-3 cycles should do it. I would start it and check a safety; start it check another safety etc so your checking the part and looking for other issues at the same time.

On intermittent problems you sometimes never know. Do some testing and then it's "try it"

SuperTech

On a typical repair I will run the boiler and test each zone individually and make sure circulation is good and all the zone valves and end switches are functioning. I make sure the boiler shuts off at the temperature the high limit is set for and check the boiler pressure at the high limit temperature. If everything is ok I call it good to go.

Now with an intermittent problem,that's different. I'll spend an hour or more hoping to observe the error. If I find it and repair it I'll definitely cycle the boiler at least 4-5 times until I am satisfied that it's not going to give me any more problems.

RayWohlfarth

Thank you all. I appreciate it. It's funny how some techs like myself are superstitious. At least I know it's not once.

@EdTheHeaterMan Thanks for the birthday wishes

hot_rod

on a boiler, if you worked on the water side, it’s good to run it up to 180 to get all the microbubbles and entrained air purged out.

guzzinerd

I have a wifi camera facing the boiler that zooms in on the site glass or pressure gauge so i can check it whenever

Hutt

I was working on a Hot Dawg gas unit heater, after getting it working, as usual with any repair, l switched it off and at least half a dozen times. I decided that instead of reaching for the external power switch, I'd use the toggle switch on the Gemini 36G22 gas valve

Big mistake. Won't fire up anymore. Toggle switch seemed iffy, so suspected it being the culprit. Electrician just happened to walk in, and I told him about it. He checked whether he could access it, and managed to do so, but to our dismay, it was built onto circuit board, and not separately replaceable. He still managed to get it to on position, and unit fired back up

But ya, I didn't touch toggle switch again

EdTheHeaterMan

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1827238#Comment_1827238

That can be a real problem…. best way to test how the system cycles is with the operating control, not the power switch. That would be the thermostat in most cases. if you are testing a LWCO, then the test button will cycle the control but the best way is to lower the water level below the probe or float.

testing ignition might be able to use the service switch but that only tests the first cycle, Not a subsequent cycle from the limit or the thermostat. So do your cycle test in a smart way with the operating device, not the power switch.

Easy to say from this chair after you messed up. But now you can think about it before you do it next time.

Mr. Ed

PS. Did you leave a note or tag about the defective toggle switch for the next guy?

Hutt

Yes, I notified, and also sourced a replacement gas valve. I noticed they have a different (looks much more sturdy) toggle switch on updated model

delcrossv

Safeties get 6 cycles. Others 3 or 4.

( I really don't like coming back)