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boiler regulator tube ????????

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Steamhead (in transit)
Steamhead (in transit) Member Posts: 6,688
in THE MAIN WALL
if it were me, I'd replace the regulator. If the boiler is really old, I'd suggest replacing the entire boiler with something more efficient.

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Comments

  • john_181
    john_181 Member Posts: 93


    I have an older boiler (1950's era) and it has a tube coming off the top of the regulator that feeds into the firebox. What is it for or what does it do?????????
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    tube coming off the top of the regulator

    Not much info to go-on, can you post a few pics?

    Dave
  • john_181
    john_181 Member Posts: 93


    I will have to take a few today. A little more info: It is an alum. tube connected to the top part of the reglator that goes down and into the firebox. Is is not the feed for the pilot light. It does not connect to anything inside the firebox. It just sits in there.
  • Steamhead (in transit)
    Steamhead (in transit) Member Posts: 6,688
    It's a vent

    The top of the regulator diaphragm is open to the atmosphere, as it should be. The vent line discharges any gas that might ooze past the diaphragm into the firing zone where it can be burned.

    Newer units don't have these vents, I suppose that's because we have better rubber for diaphragms now.

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  • Rich W
    Rich W Member Posts: 175
    safety

    The regulator needs to "breathe" to do it's job...so, don't plug the tube. It's also there in-case the regulator diaphragm should leak. The leaking gas is dumped into the firebox to be burned- rather than filling the house with raw gas.
  • john_181
    john_181 Member Posts: 93


    That sounds right. I just took off the tube and tried to blow thru it - nothing. So i ran a piece of wire thru it now it is open. I also tried something. When the gas is ON the tube is dead - but when the gas valve turns OFF a 2 second puff of gas comes out that hole?????
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Frank`s right,

    that is what it sounds like.

    Dave
  • john_181
    john_181 Member Posts: 93


    Should this tube puff that 2 seconds of gas when the gas valve closes. Or ??????? (see prior post)
  • Rich W
    Rich W Member Posts: 175


    Sorry Steamhead, didn’t intend to be redundant. You snuck in while I was typing/ getting the #%+~! cat off the keyboard…
  • john_181
    john_181 Member Posts: 93


    Should this tube blow anything? I was having trouble with too much gas entering the burners. Do you experts think this tube being bolcked could cause a problem?
  • Steamhead (in transit)
    Steamhead (in transit) Member Posts: 6,688
    Might be part of it

    but that 2-second blast worries me. Get a pro to replace that regulator and set the burner up the right way, with a digital analyzer.

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  • john_181
    john_181 Member Posts: 93


    I am going to have the reg. replaced and see what the difference is then.

    This antique has to go. I know the new ones use alot of less gas but I hate to throw away this boat anchor. 50 years in service - I doubt the new one could last that long.

  • Empire_2
    Empire_2 Member Posts: 2,340
    JR

    If the tube as described as plugged before, The diaohragm cannot move. That's why the bleed port has to be open. Over fire would be the result,...And as Steamhead said, it vents into the combustion compartment in case of failure. Even the new reg's have a small pin hole of relieving the pressure when the diaphragm moves, but no further tubing is required to make it safe. I'm not sure why, but have you ever looked closely at the combo GV's? Some do have a small bleed hole at the adjustment for the main gas.

    Mike T.

    Mike T.
  • john_181
    john_181 Member Posts: 93


    I am looking at different GVs now. The one that is on there by the way is a gas valve that is connected to the reg. It has an old style gas valve that heats a bi0metal plate and then warps to raise the gas valve. Als, this valve is connected to the top and bottom of the reg.
  • bob_46
    bob_46 Member Posts: 813
    Does the burner

    happen to be a Republic Gyroscopic??

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

This discussion has been closed.

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