Is there a way to save this boiler?

patrykrebisz

We have oil fired steam US Boiler V8H5.
New boiler was in stalled in December 2016.
On a recent visit by a plumber, he indicated that the counter on fresh water feeder was a bit high for such a new boiler at 348.
I zeroed the counter and discovered that the feeder has feed 6 gallons of water in 7 days.
Upon removal of the flute from top of the boiler, I found corrosion on one of the boiler elements above the water line.
Temporary over-fill of the boiler indicated that the corrosion is seeping some water.
There is also some white smoke coming out through the chimney when the boiler fires.

Is there some stop-leak to save this boiler?
Also what could cause this on such a young-ish boiler?

Ironman

I’m pretty sure that the leaking section of the boiler can be replaced. Who you could get to do it, the availability of the part, as well as the cost, that’s a different matter.

If one section is leaking, then it may not be long before another one is.

How about posting some pics from a little further back so that we can see the near boiler piping?

patrykrebisz

Near boiler piping looks good.

Ironman

Negative on the Stop Leak. Anything that would stop it would also clog vents and other components in the system.

There’s no such thing as a mechanic in a can.

That boiler is also very dirty and in need of cleaning which can be very difficult, if not impossible, on a pin boiler like that one.

Make your next boiler a MegaSteam. It’s far superior than that one.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Another Burnham gone at 8 years old. Way before it's time.

I could not reward Burnham with another sale after that, especially after only 8 years.

@patrykrebisz

Too bad. Some Burnham models are sensitive to chlorides in the water. Also there was an issue with some models that were designed so that flue gas and steam were on the opposite sides of the cast iron, and they (Burnham) said it caused failures.

Your leak looks pretty small so it will get you to this summer.

Now you have to do your homework. Why? because there is a shortage (big time) of people that really know steam. Many will say they do and they do not.

This forum is filled with posts from homeowners (not there fault) that trusted the contractor to do the right install and install the boiler correctly.

Sorry you lost that boiler

Be happy you came here first, many have suffered bad installs and repeat bad installs when both boilers fail.

1. Post your location (city/state) someone may be able to recommend a contractor. Also chek "find a contractor on theis site
2. Measure all your radiators. Height, length and depth. Post back, Someone will help with sizing a new boiler.
3. Why? because most contractors will guess and sell you more than you need. If a contractor does not measure the radiators show him the door. That is one way to weed out the bad ones.

ethicalpaul

wow how thin must burnham be making those castings?

And wow that boiler looks big. Ed’s advice above is very good

patrykrebisz

Don't US Boilers come with 10 year warranty? Or is it a marketing gimmick and US Boiler will somehow find a way to talk themselves out of honoring this? Anyone has experience?

Ed, i'll measure the radiators and get back to you tomorrow.
House is in Peekskill, NY.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Could be some warranty left. Do you know who installed it??

patrykrebisz

Here are the radiators the new boiler would have to feed:
1st Floor:
A.(24 ribs): 35x22x5
B.(24 ribs): 35x20x5
C.(24 ribs):35x20x5
D.(Baseray): 14ft (has return)
E.(Baseray): 6ft

2nd Floor:
F.(14 ribs): 20x23x3
G.(26 ribs): 38x20x5
H. (22 ribs): 32x20x5
I. (Baseray): 8ft

KC_Jones

Need pictures of each different style of radiator, it looks like you have essentially 3 different sizes. The picture will tell us the style to know how to look up ratings. Then the EDR can be developed from that.

Based on a few guesses I'm estimating that current boiler is ridiculously oversized. Could you post a picture of the rating plate on the current boiler?

patrykrebisz

For pics of radiator you would have to wait a few days (i'm away from the house now).

EBEBRATT-Ed

You need to post some radiator pictures. What you call ribs are "sections"

Also what measurement is the height of the radiator?" Which is the width?

Also on the radiator width or thickness how many tubes are there/ I would think three.

From the pictures and the measurements then I need to be able to tell if the rads are collum type, thin tube or regular tube

patrykrebisz

Pics of radiators. Im including only one pic of the baseboard.
A:

B:

C:

D:

F:

G:

H: