gas smell from new boiler

Mark Hunt

a standing pilot model, the leak is where the pilot tube comes off the gas valve. A manifold test will not identify it and I can't count how many W-M's I have found with this issue.

If it is a spark ignition, it still lights a pilot and my answer remains the same.

Mark H

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[Deleted User]

gas smell

I am getting what appears to be residual nat gas smell around the burner orrifices after the burner shuts off on a weil mclain egh-400 with a vent camper recently installed. We have replaced the gas valve once, capped the outlet and hooked 1/4" tubing to the test port into a bucket of water per the manufac. specs no bubbles come out when valve closes. Gas company keeps coming out and shutting it off for gas leak at orrifice. May have to meet them at job. Anyone have simular problems or suggestions?
time delay on vent damper? prop it open? drill holes in it?-adding combustion air may help homeowner does not like that idea.-thanks

lchmb

I would

I would be finding where the leak is to start. Whether it's the gas valve not closing properly or a leak in the system. Just because the valve is new doesn't mean it's not the issue. Have you used a guage on the manifold side to see if the gas valve is closing properly? I dont think propping the vent open solve's the problem, only hide's it if your lucky. Have you checked with Weil Mclain tech support to see if they can help?

gerry gill

i usually see it

or i should say smell it on w/m boilers on light off..the gas valve opens slow and my feeling is the gas doesn't create the primary air venturi effect just for a split second, then alls okay...i did have one w/m do it on shut down too..i changed the gas valve..still seemed to do it..just for a moment..i installed a manometer down stream of the gas valve and removed and plugged the orifices and the manometer never budged..figured it was the same thing as the light off in reverse..theres no air shutters on those..so its been that way.. like chaseing a ghost.

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hr

Often times

on boilers with vent dampers you get a smell of combustion byproducts roll out from the burner area. Seems like the dampers close so fast not all the exhaust gets by before the door slams shut.

I notice it more on the boilers that have the intergral draft hoods.

It may not be unburned gas you are smelling. Try a CO sniffer instead of a gas sniffer

Also brand new boilers give off a smell from the binder used in the insulation around them. Some brands worse than others This usually goes away in a days time.

Proper, unblocked high and low combustion air vents help get the new insulation smell out. As does and open window

hot rod

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Glenn Harrison_2

Here's a thought.

Is this a standing pilot boiler. If so, when the "recently installed" damper, was the plug that goes in the damper blade removed, so that the pilot gasses can vent. If not, this is probably where your smell is coming from.

The gas valve is possibly leaking minute amounts of gas in the off cycle, amounts so small you can't detect them with normal means, but enough that the overly sensitive detectors the gas company uses can detect it. A very small amount of gas leaking from the valve at the orifaces is allowed by manufacturing standards. However, if you can smell the gas, something else is wrong.

RianS

gas odor

I have seen where the fuel line pressure was too high. Same situation at a church where we installed 2 boilers, the secretary smelled gas and called gas co., they came out and shut off both new boilers and the WH because all the valves were passing. After I checked everything I found 28 inches WC coming in the boiler room. Turns out the regulator at the gas meter had something stuck under the orifice which slowly overpressurized the system and the regulator vent never opened. Gas valves are only rated for 1/2 pnd. which is about 13 inches WC. Gas company bought new gas valves and thermostat for WH.