Glenn Stanton

Dan C.

I know it's already been brought up but I am not buying anymore Burnham steam boilers until the problem with the plugs not coming out is solved. I will be spending all day tomorrow trying to get one out. There is no way it will come out with a wrench especially when it is one of those cheap made in China plugs. Burnham already knows about it it they haven't done anything because this is not the first time. I don't know what the hard part is. Either don't tighten the plug so much or even better don't plug it at all because the people that don't use them will have to. I have always used Burnham but it's not worth it if every time i can't get a plug out I have to waste HOURS trying to get it out.

Unknown

Dan C.

This problem has been addressed and is in the process of being corrected as we speak. After discussing this with our plant managers, it was discovered that these plugs were not being installed on the final assembly line where the impact wrenches were of the adjustable torque variety. Instead they were installed on the section assembly line where the hydrostatic pressure testing is done. Apparently the impact wrenches on that line are older and are not adjustable. They are in the process of being replaced with newer adjustable models. Inventory reflecting the corrected torque settings should start to enter your distributors inventory shortly. Hope this helps.

Glenn Stanton

Manager of Training

Burnham Hydronics

www.burnham.com

EBEBRATT-Ed

A plug is really tough. Cast Iron dosent want to peel with a chisle like steel. Instead of plugs I use a nip and a cap You have two threads to come apart, or they can be easily cut and picked out with a chisle, torch or saw plus a plug into a casting when neither one may not be perfictly round it must be overtightned so it dosent leak.

A nipple because it isn't solid will oval it self slightly if need be to conform to the casting. Makes to much sense for the boiler manufactures to do this. It costs more-but they could sell off there torque wrenches

Dan C.

thank you

Thank you Glenn but it really ruins a day when you have to waste time doing something that can EASILY be avoided. I hope it is fixed soon.

A.J.

Thanks Glen

the last boiler I did it took me two and a half hours to get that plug out.


Andy
Kupetz's Plb & Htg

Al Gregory

Hi Glen,
I too have used Burnham for many years now. I installed countless V7 boilers both water and steam. I understand that there was a problem with the V7 and many are coming back cracked after 8 or 9 years. Just the other day I had a customer call saying the V75 I installed ten years ago was using water three times a day. I went there and found steam blowing up the chimney. It turns out the boiler is ten years six months old so no warrenty. I thought it was a little cheap on Burnhams part by not honoring it but when I went to the wholesaler to buy a V8 steam block I was informed they arent selling them anymore because they are worse than the V7 and cracking in less time.
Is this so? I spent alot of money advertising Burnham to my customers. Now I cant even buy them if I wanted to. Do I still want to? Is it true that the V8 is having steam troubles too? I dont want to install steam boilers with rubber O-Rings.

Unknown

Al

The information you got is dead wrong! There have not been many issues whatsoever with premature failure of V8 steam boilers. If they fail it is usually a system problem that is causing it. I stress the real life issues in the seminars I do and many folks have learned what to look for. With today's more efficient lower water content boilers it is more important than ever to take a real close look at the system you are installing it into to identify potential problems.I have addressed this on numerous occasions on this site and others. It doesn't neccessarily matter what brand of boiler is being installed, an installer has to take the time and effort to identify the things with the steam system that contribute to premature failure or he will have a higher potential for problems. Hope this helps.

Glenn Stanton

Manager of Training

Burnham Hydronics

www.burnham.com

Al Gregory

I have been in this business for 25 years and have installed hundreds of steam boilers. Most of them still working. We didnt have to many problems with the V7 but have had a few leakers that needed to be replaced under warrenty. Now I go to buy a new V8 steam block to replace a V7 that is out of warrenty and Im told they are coming back faster and leaking worse from corrosion above the water line than the V7 was and the wholesaler refuses to sell V8 steam boilers anymore.
I would like to talk to someone from Burnham about this and find out what is going on. This Thursday I am installing a Wiel Mclain Gold to replace a leaking V7 because I cant find a V8 around here in time to make the change. Something is wrong here

Unknown

You're right Al!

Something is indeed wrong there and we would like to find out what it is. For those that monitor this site and others and know me, I don't like to skirt the issues or tell untruths. I'd like to know what is going on with your distributor. Out of fairness to that distributor, we will need to discuss this off the wall. E-mail me with your location and the distributor you have been dealing with and I'll make a whole-hearted effort to find out what is going on there.

I understand that you have been in business for a quarter century and I am certainly not questioning your ability. I am, however, questioning the possible reasons that your distributor is seeing steam boiler returns when others are not. That is what we would like to find out and who has been returning them as well. Thanks in advance.

Glenn Stanton

Manager of Training

Burnham Hydronics

www.burnham.com

Al Gregory

whats your email? Mine is service@heat2000.com

Unknown

E-Mail


E-Mail address is gstanton@burnham.com . Thanks.

Glenn Stanton

Manager of Training

Burnham Hydronics

www.burnham.com

John Mehrtens

V8 Issues

I had a new V8 steam system installed in 2000. In December 2003 it was replaced because of 'nipple leak' where the cast was faulty. It has been replaced again because of the same problem - the replacement cast was not even in a year old.

To think that I'm paying the full labor costs for the replacement of a unit that has a manufacturing defect is beyond my comprehension.

The problem with the V8 is not the seals - it's the casting. And I understand this is just with their steam boilers.

Unknown

John

I have sent you an e-mail to contact me with your personal and contractor information so that we can do a jobsite inspection to determine what if anything related to your system (not boiler) is causing these premature failures. I'm a little suspicious of your e-mail address as I am of anything with the word "spam" in it. I will wait to hear from you though.

Glenn Stanton

Manager of Training

Burnham Hydronics

www.burnham.com

John Del Signore

In response to

your post. I must agree with Glenn. I am the Regional Tech Support person in New England for Burnham and the FEW V8 steam boiler failures I have looked at have been system related. I do not know what area you install in, but if it is anywhere in New England please feel free to contact me.