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Watch this video of a boiler with nearly catastrophic results from a failed heat exchanger.

JohnNY
JohnNY Member Posts: 3,226
Contact John "JohnNY" Cataneo, NYC Master Plumber, Lic 1784
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BillyOAlan (California Radiant) Forbes
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Comments

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,453
    Could have been a disaster
  • RayWohlfarth
    RayWohlfarth Member Posts: 1,459
    Wow that's scary. Glad you were able to find it before something happened
    Ray Wohlfarth
    Boiler Lessons
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 5,695
    Thanks for the video, @JohnNY--

    Can you explain how the failed heat exchanger caused that to happen?
    NJ Steam Homeowner. See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el
  • JohnNY
    JohnNY Member Posts: 3,226
    Yeah sure. The heat exchanger is cracked above the water line. When things get going in there, water spills out of the crack and into the burner tubes and gas can’t get through. Thus, the campfire.
    Contact John "JohnNY" Cataneo, NYC Master Plumber, Lic 1784
    Consulting & Troubleshooting
    Heating in NYC or NJ.
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    ethicalpaulBrad White
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 5,695
    Thank you! Absolutely terrifying
    NJ Steam Homeowner. See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el
  • D107
    D107 Member Posts: 1,849
    And there's really no safety switch, sensor or device that covers that and can shut down the boiler is there? Did you ascertain the cause of the cracked heat exchanger? How old was the boiler?
  • JohnNY
    JohnNY Member Posts: 3,226
    I installed it in 2011!
    I haven’t laid eyes on the split yet but the Gateway guys will strip it down today and I’ll report back soon.
    Contact John "JohnNY" Cataneo, NYC Master Plumber, Lic 1784
    Consulting & Troubleshooting
    Heating in NYC or NJ.
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  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,588
    @JohnNY
    What is the typical life you are seeing from the Burnham IN series in your area?

    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • Solid_Fuel_Man
    Solid_Fuel_Man Member Posts: 2,646
    Wow.... that is scary indeed!
    Serving Northern Maine HVAC & Controls. I burn wood, it smells good!
  • JohnNY
    JohnNY Member Posts: 3,226
    ChrisJ said:

    @JohnNY
    What is the typical life you are seeing from the Burnham IN series in your area?

    Hi Chris,
    I don't want to start any unjustified negative buzz on a manufacturer but I've had a few of the IN series boiler come back to me. They were all installed between 2008 and 2012. I've got many Burnham boilers installed in the early '90s out there still going strong.

    Contact John "JohnNY" Cataneo, NYC Master Plumber, Lic 1784
    Consulting & Troubleshooting
    Heating in NYC or NJ.
    Classes
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,453
    Good for roasting marshmallows. The only thing that could have saved it is a rollout switch.

    I don't know about other states but MA requires an electrical firomatic on the ceiling for oil...but not for gas.

    Wouldn't be a bad idea for any boiler or furnace. I know of 1 house that it saved
    D107
  • STEAM DOCTOR
    STEAM DOCTOR Member Posts: 1,952
    Wow. Seen endless leaking boilers. Never seen anything like that.
    JohnNY
  • STEAM DOCTOR
    STEAM DOCTOR Member Posts: 1,952
    Personally, I have seen lots of Burnham In's not make it past 15 years
    JohnNY
  • SlamDunk
    SlamDunk Member Posts: 1,570
    edited January 2020
    Fingers crossed. My IN-5 is on year 10
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    Grallert said:

    I don't have face book. I wonder if there is another source for the vid?

    This.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    Hap_Hazzard
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,588
    > @SlamDunk said:
    > Fingers crossed. My IN-5 is on year 10

    Steamaster or equivalent water treatment. I'm betting they would have no problem lasting.
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,588
    > @Steamhead said:
    > (Quote)
    > This.

    Get Facebook.
    There are many that wish you and Gordo were there.
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
    Solid_Fuel_ManHap_Hazzard
  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 1,883
    I was just going to ask the same thing. Is there another place to see that video? I would like to and do not want to become a facebook person..... Facebook seems to intrusive to me. @JohnNY🤔 ?
  • Leon82
    Leon82 Member Posts: 684
    edited January 2020
    I looks like it was cought soon. I can't imagine it would be that clean with a huge flame running up those wires and gas line
  • Hap_Hazzard
    Hap_Hazzard Member Posts: 2,846
    ChrisJ said:

    Get Facebook.
    There are many that wish you and Gordo were there.

    I've tried Facebook three times and had bad experiences every time. Among other things, I did not approve of what they were doing with my personal data. I didn't even know the half of it. I would never encourage anyone to trust Facebook with their personal info. It's just not worth it.
    Just another DIYer | King of Prussia, PA
    1983(?) Peerless G-561-W-S | 3" drop header, CG400-1090, VXT-24
    gennady
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,588
    edited January 2020
    > @Hap_Hazzard said:
    > (Quote)
    > I've tried Facebook three times and had bad experiences every time. Among other things, I did not approve of what they were doing with my personal data. I didn't even know the half of it. I would never encourage anyone to trust Facebook with their personal info. It's just not worth it.

    If you had problems with Facebook, that you apparently didn't even know what they were, I recommend starting another thread and not derailing this one.
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
    gennady
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    ChrisJ said:

    > @Steamhead said:

    > (Quote)

    > This.



    Get Facebook.

    There are many that wish you and Gordo were there.

    Not. Gonna. Happen.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    Hap_HazzardSlamDunkCanuckergennady
  • STEAM DOCTOR
    STEAM DOCTOR Member Posts: 1,952
    Do what I did. Make account with fake info. Allows you access to other peoples videos and the like
    Intplm.rick in Alaska
  • Hap_Hazzard
    Hap_Hazzard Member Posts: 2,846
    ChrisJ said:


    If you had problems with Facebook, that you apparently didn't even know what they were, I recommend starting another thread and not derailing this one.

    If you want to shill for Facebook, I recommend YOU start another thread.
    Just another DIYer | King of Prussia, PA
    1983(?) Peerless G-561-W-S | 3" drop header, CG400-1090, VXT-24
    ChrisJ
  • Hap_Hazzard
    Hap_Hazzard Member Posts: 2,846

    Do what I did. Make account with fake info. Allows you access to other peoples videos and the like

    That's what I did the second and third times. It helps, but they will still track you, because they can still access any cookies that were set on their domain or partners' domains. Facebook is a very dangerous place to be.
    Just another DIYer | King of Prussia, PA
    1983(?) Peerless G-561-W-S | 3" drop header, CG400-1090, VXT-24
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,588
    > @Hap_Hazzard said:
    > (Quote)
    > If you want to shill for Facebook, I recommend YOU start another thread.

    What I said was in regards to the original post.
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • SlamDunk
    SlamDunk Member Posts: 1,570
    edited January 2020
    It was 70 today, Jan 12. Who needs a boiler?
    Intplm.Solid_Fuel_Man
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,588
    > @SlamDunk said:
    > It was 70 today, Jan 12. Who needs a boiler?

    But what is today but yesterday's tomorrow?
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • SeanBeans
    SeanBeans Member Posts: 520
    I also am not on Facebook and would like to view the video. Facebook is addicting and takes up too much time, which will take away from my time here on heating help!
    Intplm.Solid_Fuel_Manrick in Alaskagennady
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,588
    > @JohnNY said:
    > (Quote)
    > Hi Chris,
    > I don't want to start any unjustified negative buzz on a manufacturer but I've had a few of the IN series boiler come back to me. They were all installed between 2008 and 2012. I've got many Burnham boilers installed in the early '90s out there still going strong.

    Do you feel the roll out switch would catch this issue even if on the opposite side? Or would two switches be better?
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • JohnNY
    JohnNY Member Posts: 3,226
    Try this link, Facebook paranoia sufferers: https://flic.kr/p/2ieci3t
    Contact John "JohnNY" Cataneo, NYC Master Plumber, Lic 1784
    Consulting & Troubleshooting
    Heating in NYC or NJ.
    Classes
    Intplm.SlamDunkChrisJratio
  • JohnNY
    JohnNY Member Posts: 3,226
    ChrisJ said:

    > @JohnNY said:

    > (Quote)

    > Hi Chris,

    > I don't want to start any unjustified negative buzz on a manufacturer but I've had a few of the IN series boiler come back to me. They were all installed between 2008 and 2012. I've got many Burnham boilers installed in the early '90s out there still going strong.



    Do you feel the roll out switch would catch this issue even if on the opposite side? Or would two switches be better?

    I guess one rollout switch between every two burners would be best according to the unusual and unfortunate condition caught on this video but at some point, I guess manufacturers need to weigh cost and benefit. Bad sitch.

    Contact John "JohnNY" Cataneo, NYC Master Plumber, Lic 1784
    Consulting & Troubleshooting
    Heating in NYC or NJ.
    Classes
  • SlamDunk
    SlamDunk Member Posts: 1,570
    ChrisJ said:

    > @SlamDunk said:

    > It was 70 today, Jan 12. Who needs a boiler?



    But what is today but yesterday's tomorrow?

    It is also tomorrow's yesterday: )
    ChrisJ
  • @SlamDunk Happy Birthday! I'm just a couple of years behind you and not ready for the pasture just yet.

    I had to go on my wife's Facebook account to see the video. I have never seen anything like that. Even if I did, I don't think I would have come up with a good explanation. Thanks, @JohnNY!

    Facebook may be cool, but not a place for me. I don't like the way they do business. HeatingHelp is my Facebook.
    8.33 lbs./gal. x 60 min./hr. x 20°ΔT = 10,000 BTU's/hour

    Two btu per sq ft for degree difference for a slab
    Solid_Fuel_ManCanucker
  • Hap_Hazzard
    Hap_Hazzard Member Posts: 2,846
    Wow! No wonder they're called "burn 'em."
    Just another DIYer | King of Prussia, PA
    1983(?) Peerless G-561-W-S | 3" drop header, CG400-1090, VXT-24
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    JohnNY said:

    Try this link, Facebook paranoia sufferers: https://flic.kr/p/2ieci3t

    Thanks, @JohnNY . Never saw one that bad- did the burners rust shut from all the leaking water?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • JohnNY
    JohnNY Member Posts: 3,226
    Steamhead said:

    JohnNY said:

    Try this link, Facebook paranoia sufferers: https://flic.kr/p/2ieci3t

    Thanks, @JohnNY . Never saw one that bad- did the burners rust shut from all the leaking water?
    Hi, Frank. No. The water kind of got stuck in the gas slots in the burners and closed them off. Everything inside looks like new including the burners. This is a freak occurrence I'm sure. I've never seen anything this bad caused by a section leak.

    Contact John "JohnNY" Cataneo, NYC Master Plumber, Lic 1784
    Consulting & Troubleshooting
    Heating in NYC or NJ.
    Classes
  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 3,615
    I gotta ask, @JohnNY, about the Gortons on the TRVs. Did they, …ummmm… work? Do anything?

    Two pipe air vent system? I'm confused!

  • JohnNY
    JohnNY Member Posts: 3,226
    Those pics aren’t related to the boiler issue but yes, that was a 2-pipe air vent system that I controlled with 1-pipe TRVs.
    Contact John "JohnNY" Cataneo, NYC Master Plumber, Lic 1784
    Consulting & Troubleshooting
    Heating in NYC or NJ.
    Classes
    ChrisJ