Hartford loop too high?

powerhead

I've got a problem but with one-pipe, gravity return
Peerless ECT 04. Skimmed and cleaned 2-3 times already this year, lasts about 3 weeks then back to same problems, namely low water levels, gurgling and banging in radiators and condensate "hanging up" and not returning to the boiler.

Hartford loop is piped 2" below "normal water line", and I think that this is too high. When the boiler water level drops below the top of the Hartford Loop tee/close nipple/elbow the radiators start to gurgle and "chug", water does not come back, water level continues to drop and does not come back until boiler shuts off on t-stat, pressuretrol or lwco. Water level then drops to bottom of glass, but not below " minimum safe level". Radiators then bang and continue to gurgle and water does not come back or banging does not stop until pressure is down to less than half a pound.

I think when the water level drops to the loop level steam enters and pressurizes the return, preventing the condensate from returning and "hanging up" in the radiators.
Am I correct?

I am going to lower the top of the Hartford Loop about 4 more inches which will still keep it above the "minimum safe level" and clean the boiler one more time, although I honestly don't think the water is all that bad.

Since the boiler is a dry return can the Hartford Loop be piped too low? Is it even required or am I barking up the
wrong tree here?

Thanks, Powerhead.

Unknown

With a dry return

the Loop really isn't needed , but we pipe them in anyway - in case someone changes it to a wet return . Is it a true Hartford Loop , meaning does it drop to the floor and then go up to the dry return ? Or does it go right up to the dry return out of the tee ?

And how is the boiler header and equalizer piped ? Are they up to at least the minimum specs ? Any chance you can post a pic of the boiler here ? I've installed many hundreds of the ECT and JOT steamers and they perform excellent , as long as the boiler is piped to the manufacturer's specs .

powerhead

Header

The header piping is less than ideal and does need to be re-worked although I won't be able to re-pipe that with out a lot of down time and I am trying to put it off until March - April.

The loop is a true return. I just have it stuck in my head that it is a big part of my problem (but not all) and since it is an easy pipe job for me I am going to do that first, in a day or two.

Can A loop piped too high cause these problems?
I will try to get pictures to post