Lochinvar Boiler Leaking Gas
I received an impassioned text today from a SF customer where we installed a KHB boiler 6 years ago. He said that there was a strong gas smell coming from the boiler whenever it goes into high fire. They’ve shut the boiler down until I get there in the morning.
It’s a radiator system with the boiler vented through the roof; makeup air a separate pipe from a sidewall to the outside. There’s also an indirect water heater.
Perhaps one of the PP vent connections separated even though we used lock rings. Any thoughts before I go out there?
Two btu per sq ft for degree difference for a slab
Comments
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if you have an air leak anywhere between the gas valve and the combustion chamber you have a gas leak. possibly a spray bottle with sop but there is the how do you get the gaskets without getting the electrical stuff
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I went to the jobsite this morning and sprayed leak locator solution at all of the connections after the gas valve as the smell is only there when the boiler is running. Couldn't find a leak. I then sprayed the lid of the HX at the sight glass and blower and it started bubbling, but I don't know if it's from the solution boiling or if there is an actual leak.
I've ordered new gaskets for all the lid penetrations. Unfortunately, no one stocks Lochinvar parts out West here and they have to be ordered from the factory. Does anyone know of a stocking distributor?
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 slab0 -
Intermountain Sales in Salt Lake is my lochinvar rep. They keep an inventory, try them at
801 936 0228
Tech line 801 936 0334
Custsvc@intsales.com
Western Nevada Sales has a good hydronics department, I don’t know if they do Lochinvar. Reno headquarter, branch in Truckee if you want to make a ski trip and parts run☃️⛷️
Bob "hot rod" Rohr
trainer for Caleffi NA
Living the hydronic dream1 -
can't you run the fan without firing it in test mode?
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Lochinvar says replacement heat exchanger gaskets are 2-4 weeks out, not including shipping. Bah!
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
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Permatex? Looks like the nuts must have been loose?
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Yes, the nuts were loose, but I think the real culprit is the refractory. There’s nothing to secure it to the cover plate and when I pulled out the burner, the refractory had slid over the burner. I think this caused overheating which caused the gasket to fail.
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
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Alan, did you get the part yet, Im sure my rep has one in stock here in Washington. I would question that the refractory was down over the burner due to the rim thats appx 1" or so down from top of heat exchanger retains the refractory from going down further. How long has it been since it was serviced? If you want PM me to talk about it and leave ph #. See attached photoTim
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What I hate about Mod Cons gaskets 2 weeks out + shipping time. I would call lochinvar and **** them out they would know who has gaskets in stock.
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or get a sheet of the same material and cut it out
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Hi, No doubt McMaster has the right sheet goods, and they ship fast.
Yours, Larry1 -
We too deal with very similar issues. Frustrating to say the least that parts are so difficult to get for a six year old boiler. In my area this boiler is considered high end, I sometimes wonder.
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@tim smith Yes, Tim. You are absolutely right about the refractory being sandwiched in place and I realized it as soon as I re-installed it just a couple of hours ago. This was the first time the boiler has been serviced since we installed it about 6 years ago.
Part #100287111 for the HX gasket. I purchased the boiler at Pace Supply, but they don't stock many parts. I eventually ordered my parts list (igniters, flame probes, gaskets, etc.) from Ferguson who said some of the gaskets are "made-to-order" from Lochinvar.
I also called the Lochinvar rep. - California Hydronics - and they were out of stock and couldn't tell me anything about availability that I didn't already know.
Parts availability is a top priority for me as service and repair is my main gig and Lochinvar used to be my #1 replacement boiler.
Thanks, @Larry Weingarten. I'll order some sheet goods from McMaster, but I wonder if Lochinvar or my liability insurance would cover me if something went wrong.
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 slab0 -
Hi @Alan (California Radiant) Forbes Is there any way of getting the specs on the present gasket rubber? Hardness, temperature range, etc? McMaster is good with their descriptions, so if you matched the existing specs, I'm not seeing how a lawyer could cause trouble. I suppose you could get a written agreement from the owner letting them make the choice between waiting for heat, or proceeding with letting you cut a gasket… I'll take my attorney hat off now. 🤠
Yours, Larry
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