Peerless coil now leaking internally

poconofarmhouse

After chasing our tail all winter with less than optimum hot water, new aquastat, etc., we now have a coil leak. Isolated it by shutting off the cold water supply on the coil. Thence the PRV is no longer leaking. It only leaks when there is pressure in the coil.

I would like to change the coil. Bolts are clean, no visible corrosion. Coils and seals seems to be available commercially. This coil lasted 17 years on public water.

Heating season is over. Just not sure we want to take the chance if breaking a bolt on the disassembly. Tech says not worth the risk.

Any opinions?

EBEBRATT-Ed

Tech says not take the risk?

So according to your tech its a new boiler or try to replace the coil. Why would you not try to replace the coil?

If yo want a sure thing your our other choice is to abandon the coil and plug both coil connections and install a separate hot water tank or an indirect HW tank connected to the boiler.

ethicalpaul

If yo want a sure thing your our other choice is to abandon the coil and plug both coil connections and install a separate hot water tank or an indirect HW tank connected to the boiler.

This is the answer. I crossed out the one I hate haha sorry Ed. Let your boiler rest in the summer.

mattmia2

the bolts looks to be in good condition, but a competent tech can remove or drill out a broken bolt. put anti seize on the new bolts so this isn't a concern.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Unfortunately, labor is expensive.

I used to have a set of tap & dies in my truck. For screws and bolts and for pipe. Wherever I worked in my 46years (5 different companies) I was probably the only guy that carried that stuff in my truck all the time. I can't even tell you how many times I "loaned" it out and then would have to track the guy down to get it back.

Most technicians have no clue what the difference is between an 8-32 screw and a 10-32 screw and could care less. They would put a sheet metal screw or a nail in it if they could.

Expecting a tech nowadays to replace a coil and they will send the salesman over to sell you a new boiler.

The company will not want the liability of breaking bolts or tapping. Its not like the old days. If a HO wnats to try it so be it then you can try heat Kroil oil or whatever.

Those bolts look easy to get out but a tankless isn't great for hot water so I would go for a separate tank or water heater.

You could put a wrench or socket on the bolts and give it a tug….but not so much pressure as to break it and then decide. If they come out new coil if they don't put in a tank.

3/8-16 bolts don't break that easy.

poconofarmhouse

Thanks for the input Ed. The problem is finding people to do this level of work. I've contacted peerless for some feedback as well. I guess the coils were all the rage 20 years ago. Hopefully, we'll have a solution later today.

Again thanks.

pecmsg

Coils are still common. Good techs are not so common!

ethicalpaul

Luckily any plumber can cap off a coil and put in a water heater

HVACNUT

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1853089#Comment_1853089

Some plumbers can replace an extrol tank and boiler relief valve but not know how to purge and test when they're done, so let's not get crazy.

Kaos

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1853089#Comment_1853089

This!

Coil off a boiler was a bad idea when fuel was cheap, they are a terrible idea now. The boiler dumps more heat into the house and up the chimney than into hot water outside of the heating season. That heat that is dumped into the house now needs to be also cooled. The most expensive way to heat hot water.

Replace with a tank (heat pump water heater or resistance tank) and be happy you got rid of the tankless coil. Your wallet will thank you in the long run.

ethicalpaul

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1853093#Comment_1853093

I don't think this requires any purging or testing but I may have misread it.

poconofarmhouse

Thanks for all your inputs. We did find an option to change the coil. Local tech with a good reputation. That's plan A. Plan B will be probably be something with more efficiency down the road. Propane or electric is our only option in the Poconos.

ethicalpaul

Don't misunderstand…I don't think anyone here is saying get rid of the boiler. Just get rid of the coil as a means of heating your domestic hot water. Even a resistive electric water heater is not a big deal since it's not that much heating that it has to do.

pecmsg

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1853130#Comment_1853130

so what’s wrong with an oil fire and hot water heater?