Homeowner with Burnham Boiler that needs service - what parts to purchase - Pics.
Hi,
I am having trouble finding someone nearby willing to work on our Burnham Steam Boiler. It has stopped working - (TT Closed Limit Open) on Honeywell Oil Control Unit. I know it's dirty… It hadn't been serviced in 3.5 years so I was thinking about trying to do it myself. I was wondering what parts may need replacement - it looks like the insulation inside the boiler plus maybe nozzle - not sure about electrodes, probably an oil filter. Initially I thought the door to the boiler wouldn't open unless the inlet and bypass copper hoses were disconnected so unscrewed them - oops. Now note a little oil seeping from the top of the nut of the inlet connection despite tightly on. Also the quarter turn valve when in closed position in front of the oil filter housing doesn't really keep oil from seeping out when the housing removed. Pic shows it in open position. Ideas to remedy? Also these fins or whatever that are accessed from side of boiler are filthy - special brushes to clean those? I've attached some pics. I really appreciate any help or comments. I've wiped off some components to see them better. Luca
Comments
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Cleaning the fire box and flue passages is within DIY capabilities, but the burner should be serviced by a competent oil tech with a combustion analyzer.
I’d also recommend that a TigerLoop be installed.
Bob Boan
You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.0 -
The boiler and burner needs regular service by someone who is qualified. Are you willing to invest in the tools and education to do the work? You'll save lots of money and assure it's being done properly, but you'll need to invest quite a bit of time and money to learn the proper cleaning and adjusting…
Oil burners aren't really DIY technology because they are capable of burning down your home, unless you learn how to do the work and have the proper diagnostic equipment.
You'll also get really dirty.
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@LEDSomerset1 , for the record, that's a hot-water boiler, not steam.
Where are you located? We might know someone who can help you out. Oil heat is not a DIY thing.
All Steamed Up, Inc.
Towson, MD, USA
Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
Oil & Gas Burner Service
Consulting0 -
What type of trouble are you having as to not getting anyone to come and service your boiler? A good start is your oil company. Have you asked them? You are going to need a qualified tech to do it right.
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Thanks for setting me straight on this. Probably not something I can invest a lot of time in learning about at this moment. We had a tech here from a local company today and he said the firebox is shot (burned up and deteriorated) to the point of needing to be rebuilt if parts are available. Judging from the pics I uploaded do you guys concur? He said that is the main issue at this point. Is a rebuilt firebox essentially an insulation kit installed after all the crap vacuumed out?
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Homeowner want to purchase the parts here is the list:.65 60 B Nozzle (or maybe a .75 60 B.fuel filter refill.pump strainer w/gasketlow cost combustion analyzerSmoke Spot Tester..boiler brushmaybe 3 different sizesor other similar strong cleaneroil dry absorbentoil odor sprayMisc. hand tools, rags, and other supplies you should have if you do DIY on a regular basis.
Hope you have time to watch lots of informational and instructional videos on how to use the Combustion analyzer and Smoke tester. They are more important than any other parts on the list.Over 45 years ago I was taught how to do what you are attempting to do here. I had to work on doing the dirty work and cleaning while I watched an experienced tech do the final adjusting and combustion testing. I did this for one month before I was allowed to do the adjusting myself. Then I was with an experienced tech for another month to make sure I was able to do the proper adjusting without any mistakes. After two months I was then allowed to go solo on the companies customers. I was spot checked by an experienced tech for another 6 months before I was awarded a certificate by the company as aModern OilHeat Specialistin 1976The burners did not burn as clean as they do today, but our company was determined to make oil heat as clean as possible, and we did a great job at it. And you want to just try to get it right with a few parts.Hope the best for youOOPS. I started to type this comment before 11:15 and did not see the previous comment until I was finished posting. Good choice to get a Pro.
Edward Young Retired
After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?
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Firebox kits for this boiler are no problem to get. Cleaning everything out, installing the new kit and tuning everything up is likely to take most of a day, though.
And lousy service is way too common, unfortunately:All Steamed Up, Inc.
Towson, MD, USA
Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
Oil & Gas Burner Service
Consulting
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I’m a little disappointed that I had to pay $128 for a visit today when the tech was only here for ten minutes and told me when he got out of his truck that he pretty much could diagnose from my pictures that I sent him. So they are sending a different guy tomorrow to clean it up and figure what parts for $475 excluding parts.
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When someone passes by to bird dog the job it's to make sure that the pictures didn't miss anything that if he assumed the photos were complete would not look too good if they showed up to change part X that looked bad in a picture but parts A,B, C, D that were not in the photos also needs to be replaced.
It saves time on the tech side to make sure they are rolling out prepared for everything that needs to be done.
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WOW @Steamhead looks like that one was a real mess.
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Try these:
https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/146509/quot-serviced-every-year-quot-we-were-speechless
etc. etc. etc.
All Steamed Up, Inc.
Towson, MD, USA
Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
Oil & Gas Burner Service
Consulting1 -
The tech spent 5 min looking and taking the same pics I did. Never touched anything and then left. All for $129. I would guess most folks would not be too thrilled with that. I do understand that some of you may be invested in this type of activity but as a homeowner with not much money to spare it’s disheartening.
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It sometimes stinks spending money for something you don't know how to do. But look at the list of tools you need to complete this job. The technician has them. You said you can't invest the time in learning this work. The technician has invested this time.
You do have options. Hopefully you chose a craft or profession that pays you fairly also.
If you can, watch and learn from the fellow when he cleans and adjusts your boiler. Then you can decide what, if any work you may choose to undertake yourself in the future. Part of what you pay for is the education if you choose to learn by watching. It's not difficult, but it requires specific knowledge and equipment. Of course experience helps too.
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