*NO* steam pressure

David Backus

I've called the gasco's emergency number, and I'm waiting (hat and mittens on) for the service truck. Thanks for your comments and feel free to add anything else.

David Backus

*NO* steam pressure

I've got a Weil-McLain gas boiler on a two pipe system. Recently, it can take 12-14 hours for the temp at the 'stat to come up 10 degrees to 68, with the burner going full-time. In years past, the system would make this up in about 30 minutes. Second floor radiators heat up, though not all the way across, but the first floor radiators may barely get warm. All air vents are working. I've pulled all the vents off and left it that way for hours, and the radiators don't get any hotter that way.

There's water in the boiler. The flame is there. Heck, I can hear the water boiling! The pressure is set to cut in at 1/2 psi. Here's the thing: the gauge near the pressuretrol never even gets off the peg. It'll twitch occasionally, but never rise. Lemme tell you about this gauge: It reads in inches of water column. 1 inch of water column equals .036 PSI, and the smallest graduation on the gauge is .2 inches, which would be .0072 PSI. I know the gauge works, 'cause I've pulled it off and tested it by blowing into it. By the way, when you've got the gauge off, a little steam will wander out of there too.

If you lift the pressure relief valve on the boiler, after 10-20 seconds, a little steam meanders out, so virtually no pressure appears there either. If you remove the air vent on any radiator and shine a light on the vent, sooner or later, a little steam will flow out.

So, my question seems to be: How can you boil water for hours and get no steam pressure? Where is it going? The level in the glass is not dropping, and there's no evidence of steam leakage.

I've also noticed that the gas flame on the water heater drops significantly when the boiler burner fires up. Does this sound like low gas pressure? Would this explain things?

Any ideas?

Mark Hunt

David



You should have a professional find out what is going on with your gas pressure.

My first guess is that the boiler is not getting the fuel it needs and if you see the flame on the water heater dropping when the boiler fires you have a dangerous situation on your hands.

Do not wait to have this checked!

Mark H

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ed wallace

no heat

i agree with mark hunt have a pro look at it

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Unknown

What is your location?

Do you live in the city or in the country. The reason I am asking has to do with possible pressure problems with the gas. In many cities this time of year the pressure drops down due to high demand caused by extreme cold temperatures. I would get hold of the emergency number for the gas comapny and have them come out tonight and check the pressure.

Boilerpro

Maybe a hole in the boiler?

I'd also check to see if steam is coming out of the boiler where it connects to the chimney. Had a big boiler in a home do this. Looked up into the draft divertor and could see the steam going up the chimney.

Boilerpro

Steamhead

I ran into one of those a couple weeks ago

turned out the service pipe (low-pressure distribution) from the street to the house was blocked. Major repair job, but the gas company took care of it. Homeowner got both barrels from gas company techs after getting the same from me, for letting the problem drag on for about a month. They were lucky something didn't explode- and so are you.

Call the gas company's emergency number NOW.

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Mark Hunt

David

If this continues to happen after the fuel issue has been addressed, I would bring a pro in to examine the boiler.

Boilerpro is correct, there may be a hole above the water line that is allowing the steam to escape up the chimney.

We replaced an old Crane boiler a few weeks ago that had this problem. The gentleman that takes care of the building said that he was happy to see "smoke" coming from the chimney and I said that it wasn't smoke, it was steam.

Sure enough, when we watched the boiler running it boiled over and put the gas burners out!!

I hope everything turns out well for you!

Mark H

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