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Boiler repair question
scott75
Member Posts: 100
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boiler repair question
I have an old Texaco Fuel Chief steam boiler model #FCS5-405. On the right side of the boiler, if you remove the jacket, there is a steel plate with about 10 bolts in it holding it on. Water is starting to seep through the rust in this plate. Is it possible to replace it? Can it be ordered or can I have one made at a metal shop? Also, what is used for the gaskett when it is re-attached? Any info would be very helpful. Thanks, Scott.0 -
Good luck !
Search for boiler plate Thread0 -
search not helpful
I didn't find anything helpful in the search. Is there a specific thread you are aware of that addresses my problem or was it just a general suggustion?0 -
Texaco/Dunkirk
The boiler was made by Dunkirk and lots of people put their names on them. Here in the Northeast, we had Pickering Oil/Whaleco renaming them as well as Texaco.
The plate you are referring to was where a tankless coil would go, in a hot water boiler.(they could be used for both steam and hot water)The plate is pretty much a standard rectangular coil plate.
Most coils and plates for covering them came from Thermoflo back in the day. They are located in Watertown Ma., and there were also some coils (MOST!) made by Heat Transfer Products. I'm sure you can find a web site for either.
WARNING!!!! This is NOT a homeowner project. Stuff Occurs, and anyone doing this type of work will say that the chances aren't too good of a completely succesful job. Seeing that this boiler is approaching (at least)35 years of age,most will warn you that if everything doesn't go too well, you may be replacing it. Be prepared for a replacement if you decide to attempt this. JMHO. Chris0 -
Bad news
Safety first, since you have a steam boiler that leaks make sure the low water cut off is clean and functional. Sure any machine shop or metal fabricator can make a new plate and any high temp gasket can be cut to fit. The rub is the plate bolts breaking when you try to take them out. Since it will get cold soon if you plan to try removing the plate be ready to drill and tap out all the broken bolts. Studs with brass nuts are a good replacement choice for the bolts if you think the boiler will outlast the new plate. Since it's steam and should run under 2 psi I would try a nice cleaning on the outside of the weep spot, after draining below the spot, and some large amount of epoxy ( type used on the water side of engine blocks). Make the epoxy patch as wide as the plate since I would guess the weep spot is at the water line.0 -
Thanks for the replies. Boiler was installed in 1982. LWCO does work. I do HVAC for a living, new to field (< 1yr) but don't do much with hydronics. I have another guy from work helping me who does hydronics more than me (our company doesn't do much with hydronics in general). All the bolts came out, some were tough but none broke. Boiler also needs new wet pack. When I took off cover for combustion chamber, 3 out of those 4 bolts broke. That is going to be a fun project.0 -
Well...
at least you're looking at it the right way!!0 -
Just checked Thermoflo website? Is this the same company that is now Williams- Thermoflo? If so they are in WI now. Didn't see anything on website to order plate. They did list some wholesalers though. I can try them. Question, if this plate wasn't bad, and I wanted to add a tankless coil, wouldn't I need a new plate anyway?0 -
when it goes back
together, don't forget the 'never seize'.0 -
Thermoflo
Was owned by Metzger Machine in Milwaukee forever. May not be the same Thermoflo as was previously mentioned. Metzger bought out the Williamson line about 10 years ago. Before made boilers & furnaces under their own name. Now all owned by United Dominion, owner of W-M.0 -
Scott,try TFI-Everhot
Try Everhot in Watertown Ma. I think they used TFI as their moniker for a while, but I know that they still use Everhot. I had a coil catalouge with so many options from them. Give it a shot.
Just went back and checked. Type in Everhot and it comes up as TFI-Everhot. Good luck. Chris0 -
Scott, Where are you
Scott,
Where are you located? I am from Pennsylvania.
There is a company in Hazleton Pa that will fabricate any tankless coil for any boiler, new or old. They custom make new coils for obsolete equipment.
If you only need a plate, any metal shop can probably make that for you from the old plate.
If you wish to install a coil in that boiler, this option would work well. They can also custom make a plate for you from your measurements, or from the old coil plate as a template.
The company is Tunnessene Inc, West Green St. Hazleton Pa.
(They are also an automotive machine shop).
Their numbers are:
1-800-732-4004
1-570-455-7761
1-570-454-3510 (fax)
If you take them an old coil and plate, they will give you back your old coil and an exact new replacement coil with plate and gasket.
I have not used their services for several years, but oddly enough I had my secretary call them just this week, to make sure that they still do tankless work. Someone else asked me about tankless work on an old boiler, and I got the info for research in that inquiry.
Good Luck
Ed Carey
0 -
Scott, Where are you
Scott,
Where are you located? I am from Pennsylvania.
There is a company in Hazleton Pa that will fabricate any tankless coil for any boiler, new or old. They custom make new coils for obsolete equipment.
They can also custom make a plate for you from your measurements, or from the old coil plate as a template.
If you only need a plate, any metal shop can probably make that for you from the old plate.
If you wish to install a coil in that boiler, this option would work well.
The company is Tunnessene Inc, West Green St. Hazleton Pa.
(They are also an automotive machine shop).
Their numbers are:
1-800-732-4004
1-570-455-7761
1-570-454-3510 (fax)
If you take them an old coil and plate, they will give you back your old coil/w plate and an exact new replacement coil with plate and gasket.
I have not used their services for several years, but oddly enough I had my secretary call them just this week, to make sure that they still do tankless work. Someone else asked me about tankless work on an old boiler, and I got the info for research in that inquiry.
Good Luck
Ed Carey
0 -
Scott, Where are you
Scott,
Where are you located? I am from Pennsylvania.
There is a company in Hazleton Pa that will fabricate any tankless coil for any boiler, new or old. They custom make new coils for obsolete equipment.
They can also custom make a plate for you from your measurements, or from the old coil plate as a template.
If you only need a plate, any metal shop can probably make that for you from the old plate.
If you wish to install a coil in that boiler, this option would work well.
The company is Tunnessene Inc, West Green St. Hazleton Pa.
(They are also an automotive machine shop).
Their numbers are:
1-800-732-4004
1-570-455-7761
1-570-454-3510 (fax)
If you take them an old coil and plate, they will give you back your old coil/w plate and an exact new replacement coil with plate and gasket.
I have not used their services for several years, but oddly enough I had my secretary call them just this week, to make sure that they still do tankless work. Someone else asked me about tankless work on an old boiler, and I got the info for research in that inquiry.
Good Luck
Ed Carey
0 -
Scott, Where are you
Scott,
Where are you located? I am from Pennsylvania.
There is a company in Hazleton Pa that will fabricate any tankless coil for any boiler, new or old. They custom make new coils for obsolete equipment.
They can also custom make a plate for you from your measurements, or from the old coil plate as a template.
If you only need a plate, any metal shop can probably make that for you from the old plate.
If you wish to install a coil in that boiler, this option would work well.
The company is Tunnessene Inc, West Green St. Hazleton Pa.
(They are also an automotive machine shop).
Their numbers are:
1-800-732-4004
1-570-455-7761
1-570-454-3510 (fax)
If you give them an old coil and plate, they will give you back your old coil/w plate and an exact new replacement coil with plate.
I have not used their services for several years, but oddly enough I had my secretary call them just this week, to make sure that they still do tankless work. Someone else asked me about tankless work on an old boiler, and I got the info for research in that inquiry.
Good Luck
Ed Carey
0 -
Scott, Where are you located?
Scott,
Where are you located? I am from Pennsylvania.
There is a company in Hazleton Pa that will fabricate any tankless coil for any boiler, new or old. They custom make new coils for obsolete equipment.
They can also custom make a plate for you from your measurements, or from the old coil plate as a template.
If you only need a plate, any metal shop can probably make that for you from the old plate.
If you wish to install a coil in that boiler, this option would work well.
The company is Tunnessens Inc, West Green St. Hazleton Pa.
(They are also an automotive machine shop).
Their numbers are:
1-800-732-4004
1-570-455-7761
1-570-454-3510 (fax)
If you give them an old coil and plate, they will give you back your old coil/w plate and an exact new replacement coil with plate.
They have been doing coils sinceI started in the business, (almost 33 years). I have not used their services for several years, but oddly enough I had my secretary call them just this week, to make sure that they still do tankless work. They said that they do. Someone else asked me about tankless work on an old boiler, and I got the info for research in that inquiry.
Good Luck
Ed Carey0 -
What is "never seize"? As a gaskett, would I just use that smooth red rubber stuff? Also, wouldn't it be wise to grease and screw or bolt in plumbing/boiler work? I find this is never done but would think there would be a lot less broken bolts this way. Any reason why it is never done? Also, I was told I should paint the new plate before I put it on to help prevent it from rusting. What kind of paint, maybe Rustolium? And another question (sorry), I was thinking about using a solution to cleaning the boiler, but then though if I got all that crap off, then the boiler would start leaking. That crap could be the only thing holding it together.0 -
Hire a boilermaker or certified welder and Install a steel patch. Make sure they have a R-stamp before performing the work. And R-stamp means you are state approved to weld on a pressure vessel.0 -
Your Boiler
Scott,
Think about what you said in you last post.
"I was thinking about using a solution to cleaning the boiler, but then though if I got all that crap off, then the boiler would start leaking. That crap could be the only thing holding it together".
If you have that much concern about the condition of your boiler, maybe it is time to let it rest in,,, pieces, and get a new one.
JMHO
Ed Carey
ps
Never Seize is an anit lock compound to be put on the studs and bolts when you re-assemble the boiler, so they will Never Seize. You can get it at most supply houses, or any auto parts store.
Ed0
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