Laars Boiler and Error 10

Brian_51

We have a Laars tankless boiler and it always smells like gas (propane) outside our house. It's not the slight smell you may experience at the start of a cycle. It smells!

It smells enough to have various technicians come look at it, but no one could figure it out. We finally switched propane companies and they concluded the smell was coming from the tank. I believe that was partially true and it's been replaced.

But, the smell continues and can even be noticeable around the front of the house (the exhaust is on the side) up to 30 feet away. That said, we have Error 10 messages that have occurred only a couple of times, but have begun to occur with far more frequency. Only in recent days, has it happened all the time - a hard lockout where the boiler has to be reset.

So, I'm guessing that the gas we've been smelling all this time is from the lockouts - that the boiler is spewing non combusted gas because it tries to fire 8 times before the lockout. This would be why unusual levels of gas odor are noted outside the house.

So, is my theory correct, that we've been smelling gas all this time because of a failed combustion process and the gas gets pushed out multiple times during the process?

And, if this is true, do we run a major risk running the heat pump that is very close by (before this issue is remedied)? This is important given the heatwave that has descended upon us here in NY. This boiler has been so frustrating that, even after just five years of ownership. I'm ready to have it replaced (I'm getting an estimate tomorrow). But, in the meantime, is there a major risk having a heat pump in the close vicinity to the vent pipes of a boiler failing by way of Error Code 10?

Thank you!

Brian

EBEBRATT-Ed

I don't think it will bother the HP.

Has anyone checked for gas leaks inside the house. That should be ruled out.

I would (or have your tech) contact laars. They should do a combustion test , check gas pressures etc before calling. The flue and air intake should also be checked.

Sounds like you need a better contractor. Check "find a contractor" on this site and post your city someone may be able to help or know someone that can.

Brian_51

thanks!

A combustion test was done awhile back and all was found to be fine.

The issues have been viewed by various contractors and no one has an answer. So, having constant gas odors, combined with occasional lockouts that have become almost constant (multiple manual resets a day) has me thinking the whole thing should be replaced. I can definitely say the original install was really problematic - the guys who did it were hacks and they struggled to get it going. They are long gone and haven’t been here in years. Yet, other, multiple contractors have been baffled by this issue since.

B

GGross

If the exhaust gas that would come out of the vent during normal operation is generally going into the heat pump then that would be a problem for the heat pump down the line. As for your failed ignitions I would want to see a tech actually provide a static and dynamic gas pressure test done at the unit, 4 total values needed here, confirm the venting is adequate, the unit is set for the correct fuel type, and the fire side cleaned, flame sensor and igniter checked for fowling and either cleaned or replaced as needed, gap checked on the flame sensor and igniter. Was this unit run during construction of the building?

Ironman

What model Laars boiler?

How about some pics of the installation?