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LWCO question
jim_14
Member Posts: 271
tested it tonight while burner running and it did not shut down burner. A few years back the boiler wouldnt run or something like that , I cant exactly remember what the problem was (its my neighbors boiler) and we figured out that there was a lot of sludge in the system. I remember we attached a garden hose to the bottom of the LWCO and we were able to flush it and clear away the sludge by turning the garden hose on full blast.
Now every start of heating system we open the LWCO and allow it to drain until water clears up.
My questions:
1)will flushing this from the bottom again make it work? Ive read that alot of them get clogged from boiler debris
2)would replacing the blowdown valve solve this problem?
3)after draining dirty water and adding new, I turn the tstat up and let the system run a few mins to burn off the h20 in the water.. is this correct?
4) that rubber hose coming from the LWCO is left there year round, is there a long braided one avail like they make for the washing machine hook ups?? only asking b/c last year it was touching a hot part on the boiler and started burning
thanks
Now every start of heating system we open the LWCO and allow it to drain until water clears up.
My questions:
1)will flushing this from the bottom again make it work? Ive read that alot of them get clogged from boiler debris
2)would replacing the blowdown valve solve this problem?
3)after draining dirty water and adding new, I turn the tstat up and let the system run a few mins to burn off the h20 in the water.. is this correct?
4) that rubber hose coming from the LWCO is left there year round, is there a long braided one avail like they make for the washing machine hook ups?? only asking b/c last year it was touching a hot part on the boiler and started burning
thanks
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Comments
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lwco maintenance
Flushing from the bottom with a hose? That's a new one on me. Get a professional to take the low water cut off apart and properly clean the float chamber. Water pressure could easily rupture the float or the bellows that protects the linkage inside. There's a right way to do any job and what you're describing ain't it!!
To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"0 -
yep, flushing from the bottom!
I dont remember exactly what the problem was, but I believe the boiler wouldnt start or maybe was overfilled by mistake what probably happened is that we couldnt drain the water out or get it to run out by tapping the LWCO.
It was late at night so we resorted to blasting water up the LWCO- that seemed to do the trick back then..It was either try that or have no heat that night
Obviously that isnt the preferred method, but since that episode the owner has realized that flushing the boiler at least once a season is neccessary!0 -
Actually, even though it's probably long gone there is usually a yellow tag that hangs from the low water cut off. It would be instructions from the manufacture recommending the LWCO Be flushed Once a week!
I understand you needed to get heat in the house but please be careful. By forcing some water up into that device you might allow the burner to operate even though there may be little or no water in the boiler. And that can be very dangerous.
Stay safe and Stay warm.
Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio
Oil Tech TalkThere was an error rendering this rich post.
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Jim, McDonnell Miller, the manufacturer of...
that LWCO HIGHLY recomends that their controls be replaced every ten years, and I would be willing to bet that LWCO is a lot older than that. I would strongly recomend you get that LWCO replaced rather than trying to clean it. At a bare minimum you need to replace the float and switch assembly.also if you are seeing a lot of dirt and brown water in the sight glass you will need to flush the boiler and return lines.
If you want to view the recomended maintenance and replacement interval instructions, go to http://www.mcdonnellmiller.com/pdf/install_instr/MM-815C.pdf or http://www.mcdonnellmiller.com/pdf/install_instr/MM-201C.pdf and you can view the instructions for the 6667 Float and Switch Mechanism at http://www.mcdonnellmiller.com/pdf/install_instr/MM209A.pdf0 -
Yeah!!
What Alan said. Call a professional immediately.
If it's been hot enough to set a rubber hose on the outside on fire, it's got some other serious problems.
Looks like it may have a serious CO leak too...
ME
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Yeah!
What Mark said. Those soot tracks up the side are a telltale sign that there's something wrong with the way it is burning and/or drafting. For your neighbors safety and your own protection and peace of mind I'd sure get a good technician in there to check it out.0
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