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Viessmann boiler seized, need replacement, seeking advice - need new system?

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Jetfire_604
Jetfire_604 Member Posts: 5
in Gas Heating
we have a 1995 (manufactured) Viessmann ECV 65 that supports our radiant floor heat & hot water supply. We have 7 zones, 3 floors and approximately 3000 sq feet, 3 full baths, current boiler is connected to a 60gallon hot water storage tank.

We had 2 different diagnostics from 2 different heating company:
1) module control board is faulty
2) fan seized, relay is faulty

reaching out to all pros & installers for your advice & recommendations

question 1). do we need to replace all valves, pumps and associate parts with the boiler & connections to hot water storage tank?





Comments

  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,376
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    No, you don’t have to, but it’s the prudent thing to do.

    I wouldn’t bid the job without including the ancillary components. At 25 years, it’s time for them to be replaced too.
    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
    Jetfire_604
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,861
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    So, you can't get parts for that boiler?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    kcopp
  • Jetfire_604
    Jetfire_604 Member Posts: 5
    edited December 2021
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    Steamhead said:

    So, you can't get parts for that boiler?

    Hi Steamhead,
    per one heating company, the module control board is discontinued per company supplier. We asked a 2nd company for a compatible replacement - yes they found a compatible universal module control board, to replace & install is $x cdn. I then call up a ibc boiler wholesaler (in B.C., Canada), the cost of the boiler is just under $x. So I could fix up the parts but other parts may become faulty, like a snowball effect. I may as well replace a new one.
  • Derheatmeister
    Derheatmeister Member Posts: 1,547
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    The rules are not to talk pricing on this site. Please remove ..
    Erin Holohan Haskell
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,552
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    @Jetfire_604

    Unfortunately this is a common problem with the "modern" boilers. Too many specialized parts that become unavailable or high priced or both.

    I guess, be happy you got 25 years out of it. Some of the new boilers parts are drying up after 10-15 years.
    SuperTech
  • Jetfire_604
    Jetfire_604 Member Posts: 5
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    Derheatmeister said:

    The rules are not to talk pricing on this site. Please remove ..

    noted! Removed pricing and kept the context. Thank you for the reminder.
    Erin Holohan Haskell
  • Derheatmeister
    Derheatmeister Member Posts: 1,547
    edited December 2021
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    At 25 years We would recommend to replace the whole thing..
    However it is not a ideal time for a full system replacement in a small footprint such as you have.
    We try not to replace any systems in the mids of winter unless absolutly necessary.
    IBC makes a good boiler, but the buck will probably not just stop at it..
    Repiping/Rewiring and possibly reventing are other things to consider !
    How old is the waterheater ?

    BTW:Although this Viessmann was manufactured in Germany the controls to this boiler are manufactured by Honeywell !!
    Parts such as the Gasvalve and control are very generic and should be on every good service companies vehicle..
    Not sure about the Blower # 9302 271..Probably a Fasco motor will cross reference if in a bind.
    If this is an emergency i would have the tech perform better diagnostics pinpointing the issue..
    The manual is in Viessmanns Historic product manuals..
    If it is the Fan/Blower he may try to (Briefly and For diagnostic purposes only) fool the proofing switch to see if he can get the boiler to fire up..Then get or order the parts..
    BTW Viessmann headquarters are Vancouver and they have a good tech support if your service company needs it.. :D..
    Again,not a complicated boiler and probably should allready be purring like a Kitten !

    Jetfire_604
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 22,185
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    Those were fine boilers, a wet leg or wet base boiler, here is the manual with parts numbers from the Viessmann archive. If the fluid was in good shape there could be another 25 years in those castings. For those that prefer KISS, this is your boiler😄

    I believe Viessmann supplied those castings to Crown boiler for some models, maybe I’m hallucinating? Wheels would know.

    https://www.viessmann-us.com/content/dam/public-brands/ca/pdfs/old/ECV/atolaecv-honeywell-is.pdf/_jcr_content/renditions/original./atolaecv-honeywell-is.pdf
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    Jetfire_604
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,376
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    Derheatmeister said:
    “BTW:Although this Viessmann was manufactured in Germany the controls to this boiler are manufactured by Honeywell !! Parts such as the Gasvalve and control are very generic and should be on every good service companies vehicle.. “
    If that’s the Honeywell MCBA control, it’s specifically programmed by each manufacturer for the particular boiler. It is therefore not generic and only the one that’s programmed for that boiler should be used.
    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
    Jetfire_604
  • Derheatmeister
    Derheatmeister Member Posts: 1,547
    Options
    Ironman said:


    Derheatmeister said:

    “BTW:Although this Viessmann was manufactured in Germany the controls to this boiler are manufactured by Honeywell !!
    Parts such as the Gasvalve and control are very generic and should be on every good service companies vehicle.. “

    If that’s the Honeywell MCBA control, it’s specifically programmed by each manufacturer for the particular boiler. It is therefore not generic and only the one that’s programmed for that boiler should be used.



    NOoo.... NOT the dredded MCBA...Back to much simpler days... These boilers have the Honeywell 8600 series control modules..We are talking about the 1990 ties :)
    IronmanJetfire_604
  • Jetfire_604
    Jetfire_604 Member Posts: 5
    Options
    Derheatmeister said:

    At 25 years We would recommend to replace the whole thing..
    However it is not a ideal time for a full system replacement in a small footprint such as you have.
    We try not to replace any systems in the mids of winter unless absolutly necessary.
    IBC makes a good boiler, but the buck will probably not just stop at it..
    Repiping/Rewiring and possibly reventing are other things to consider !
    How old is the waterheater ?

    BTW:Although this Viessmann was manufactured in Germany the controls to this boiler are manufactured by Honeywell !!
    Parts such as the Gasvalve and control are very generic and should be on every good service companies vehicle..
    Not sure about the Blower # 9302 271..Probably a Fasco motor will cross reference if in a bind.
    If this is an emergency i would have the tech perform better diagnostics pinpointing the issue..
    The manual is in Viessmanns Historic product manuals..
    If it is the Fan/Blower he may try to (Briefly and For diagnostic purposes only) fool the proofing switch to see if he can get the boiler to fire up..Then get or order the parts..
    BTW Viessmann headquarters are Vancouver and they have a good tech support if your service company needs it.. :D..
    Again,not a complicated boiler and probably should allready be purring like a Kitten !

    Appreciate your input, Derheatmeister. You are bang on about the Honeywell module board - one heating company told us their supplier said such module has been discontinued. I examined this closely and we currently have Honeywell MPLS MN 55422 S8600M

    We are leaning towards getting a Viessmann replacement. We had spoken to Glen via Viessmann Vancouver head office and they recommended the Vitodens 100 series - I agree, great customer services.

    We just had a heating company provide us an estimate and their recommendations today, they suggested:
    - to install new 2 pipe system for exhaust & intake venting (flue vent)
    - new gas line
    - new piping for supply and return heating line

    but not replacing the existing existing control valves & pumps (we have 2).

    We are getting such a wide range of recommendations -> from one for one change, to replacing boiler, to replacing boiler & storage tank, to complete new build a whole new system.

    We are leaning towards just replacing boiler and making our current system up to code - whatever is not leaking or broken, we will keep.

    Thoughts?

    much appreciated!
  • Jetfire_604
    Jetfire_604 Member Posts: 5
    Options
    Derheatmeister said:

    At 25 years We would recommend to replace the whole thing..
    However it is not a ideal time for a full system replacement in a small footprint such as you have.
    We try not to replace any systems in the mids of winter unless absolutly necessary.
    IBC makes a good boiler, but the buck will probably not just stop at it..
    Repiping/Rewiring and possibly reventing are other things to consider !
    How old is the waterheater ?

    BTW:Although this Viessmann was manufactured in Germany the controls to this boiler are manufactured by Honeywell !!
    Parts such as the Gasvalve and control are very generic and should be on every good service companies vehicle..
    Not sure about the Blower # 9302 271..Probably a Fasco motor will cross reference if in a bind.
    If this is an emergency i would have the tech perform better diagnostics pinpointing the issue..
    The manual is in Viessmanns Historic product manuals..
    If it is the Fan/Blower he may try to (Briefly and For diagnostic purposes only) fool the proofing switch to see if he can get the boiler to fire up..Then get or order the parts..
    BTW Viessmann headquarters are Vancouver and they have a good tech support if your service company needs it.. :D..
    Again,not a complicated boiler and probably should allready be purring like a Kitten !

    Right on, again, Derheatmeister. It is a Fasco motor fan, model A679.

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