Old boiler flame diverter

Jerry Mann

I am not a professional, and am seeking advice on a situation that has developed this morning.

I have a 77 year old Acme Ideal boiler for a steam system. It was coal, converted to gas, and has a 12"ceramic brick disk above the pilot and burner flame that shapes the flame (It says ABE 50 on it). It had a crack and it finally broke in two and fell off the stand (I just noticed it this morning...it may have been that way for a week). Luckily, I have an identical spare (!) and installed it . However, now the flame is spreading out wider than before and is licking the sides of the boiler jacket. Before there was a couple inch (?) clearance. This makes me nervous that it might crack the jacket from the flame contact. I have a page into my boiler guy, but was hoping I might get a response from a professional on the Wall who may know if this is a problem.

I have had the heat down since 8 am, it is currently noon, and the house is 60 degrees inside--20 degrees outside. I can wait a while to start up the boiler again, but not into the night.

Thanks, Jerry Mann

scrook_2

flame impingment

may cause excess Carbon Monoxide (CO) production. Sounds like you need your heating guy to tweak it and do a full combustion analysis on it.

You might want to think about replacing the boiler completely come spring/summer, funds permitting. The payback may be short due to fuel savings, and reliability/serviceability will be improved.

Do you have a digital camera? We love photos of old (and new) boilers here!

Jerry Mann

Thanks for the reply...my boiler guy called and said I shouldn't worry about the flame licking the inside of the boiler jacket...it won't crack it or melt down.

About a month ago he adjusted the flame (gas input) (and that has greatly improved our evenness and quickness of heating). After that adjustment, the flame was much larger (Before the adjustment our flame occupied about 1/4 of the fire box area. Now it fills at least 3/4 of the space). I was worried about the new huge flame and the fact that it wasn't all blue, but he said it looked ok to him, and he also did a thorough CO test and there was nothing. When he made the adjustment, the flame diverter disk had a crack in it, but was sitting there as a unit. Over the past month, the crack widened until it separated and broke in two. The new disk makes a wider flame pattern. My guess is that the old one let some flame pressure go thru the crack while the new one forces the entire flame around the edges.

I don't have a digital camera, but intend to fully document the boiler this season. I realize the potential benefits of replacing the old one. Our boiler guy said it could last another 6 months or another 6 years. At $5-6000 to replace, we will think hard about it. And it will be a shame to see the old beauty go. Would love to save her for looks alone.
-Jerry Mann

Steamhead

If that's an old round boiler

it is probably no more then 40% efficient. I love the old ones too, but you could probably cut your fuel bill in half by replacing an old round boiler.

If you're not ready to replace it, and you don't have main vents, you can save gas and enjoy improved comfort by having them properly sized and installed. Same thing will happen if the present main vents are too small.

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