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Auto water fill over filling

Recently took over a building with 3 stores and 8 apartment above. Single pipe steam boiler. At close it was upgraded to meet code, a 2nd pressure cutout with manual reset, and a back flow preventer on the water feed.

Ok, now 50 days later, the boiler will flood out. It has a Bittle-Mc Donnell (?) auto water feed unit on it. If I close the water feed stop, flush-drain the system down to where I can see the water line in the glass, then open the valve, in 24 hours it will over fill and flood water out the vents on the 1st. floor.

Ok, no adjustments. What now?? Is it a replace only option or can I flush or clean something to stop this?

Comments

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,274
    Several possible causes

    either the feeder is leaking, the bypass valve is leaking (if there is one) or the returns are almost completely plugged, holding the condensate back enough so the feeder comes on.

    The first would require a new feeder, the second a new washer or new valve depending on its type, and the third would require new return lines.

    Time to call in a pro to troubleshoot this. Use the Find a Professional page of this site to locate one near you.

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
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    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
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  • Junior_2
    Junior_2 Member Posts: 4
    Autofeed

    A possibility is that the condensate is not returning until after the boiler has another call for heat, So the auto feed comes on at low water and so on, and so on. Try a 5 minute delay timer on the auto feed, providing that the return line is not plugged.
  • Ted Robinson
    Ted Robinson Member Posts: 126
    Simple question

    Does the boiler have a hot water coil?
    Mine does and the boiler was flooding, due to a leaking hot water coil!
This discussion has been closed.