Expansion tank

Ken_40

Decent materials were used, and its been reasonably well serviced, should last another 23 years.

Unless it is a real fuel "dog," it would be hard to justify its relacement. Both oil and gas boilers today get well over 90% efficiency. If yours only got 60, I'd think about a new boiler coupled with an indirect water heater - instead of simply replacing the HWH.

Perhaps you could share the make and model of your boiler? There are tables that would tell us the efficiency of you unit in all lilihood. I doubt if the savings would justify the investment...

But one never knows, does one(;-o)

Frank Mahan

Expansion tank

Recently, I had to replace the water feed valve on my hydronic system (Utica Boiler), 100k BTU. After I did this, the T&P valve operates when I allow the system to fill automatically. Looking through the site, I discoved that my expansion tank (Extrol model 30 dated 1981) needs a 12psi precharge. The tank will not accept any air after I replaced the schrader valve, Is the tank bad?

Ken_40

?

You tried to put air in the exp.tank and it would not take any?

The schraeder valve you installed is suspect.

Also, you must have zero pounds of system pressure (assuming the Exp tank is still attached) to have a tire gage read true exp. tank static pressure.

Tell us what you find on a second look/test.

Frank Mahan

Ken,

Thanks for your reply! The tank would not take any air using the schreader valve that was on as well as the one I installed. I had two drain valves open at the time, the boiler gauge read zero.

Ken_40

OK,

Remove the schraeder valve stem again, and stick a blunt object into the hole. Some hardened snot (a scientific term we use for crud and crap) has occluded the hole and prevents you from re-charging the internal bladder - or even getting a tire gage reading.

In all liklihood however, the bladder is already collapsed, un-inflatable and you'll need to replace the whole exp. tank w/ a new one, but what the heck?

If you have a compressor blow-tip, try blowing an air stream into the snotted orifice-like opening (stem out of course).

Frank Mahan

Ken - I never thought of calling it snot (that's why you're the professional, and I'm not)

I do have a blow tip for the compressor, I'll give it a try. If not, I'll get a new tank

The whole system dates back to 1983,what is your opinion on how long this boiler should last?

Frank Mahan

Expansion Tank

Ken,
The boiler is a Utica Master, # M100AGB1. The input BTU is marked @ 100k, water is 72,200. I've attached two pics, one shows the data plate.

Frank

Mark Hunt

I see


one heck of a kink in the copper gas line going to the water heater. That should have been fixed years ago.

When was the last time the boiler was serviced?

Mark H

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John S_2

Efficiency

That's not a 90%er. I would look into an upgrade if I were you. You shouldn't be trying to fix that exp tank yourself either. You could cost yourself more money than you think your saving. It's not a DIY project, unless you're an experienced pro.