Weil-Mclain Gold Oil Boiler Water Loss

Johndoubleu

Hi

I have a 4 year old Weil Mclain Gold Oil burner sending steam to convector type radiators. My water level is is always going below the fill line. I have to add water every other day when it's pretty cold out. Is this normal? There is water damage under a few of the radiator valves, but no visible leaks.

Jamie Hall

It is not normal. In fact, it's way too much.

Leaking steam is often invisible — but is a water loss just the same. If you have visible damage near some valves, those valves are losing a lot of water. The good news is that it is usually very simple to retighten the packing on them, or replace the packing, and stop the leak —since the leak is, most often, around the valve stem.

Other leaks can be in any piping which is below the water line of the boiler — called wet returns — particularly if any of it is beneath a floor or hidden in chases or the like.

In any event, you need to find the leaks and fix them. Anything more than a gallon a month is worth chasing after.

Johndoubleu

Thank you!

Just investigated and three valve stems have a tiny drip. I purchased some graphite packing and will get to it.

Do you think a half gallon of water could leak out over 3 days?

EdTheHeaterMan

YES. but don't stop looking. Fix the leaks you find, then look for others.

Do you have any returns that are not in plain sight? Some wet returns that may go below the floor level are a prime source for water leaks.

Johndoubleu

Just discovered a vent that isn't closing as well

My returns are above ground but behind walls. No water damage at the base

jakelmiller

This might be related to the post but I keep getting a low water indicator on my boiler. The water is automatically supplied on demand so I don’t understand why I have the problem. Does insufficient pressure in the system cause the fault also?