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Expansion Tank Boiler Seal?

BDR529
BDR529 Member Posts: 341
in THE MAIN WALL

Expansion tank has this junk in it. There is anti-freeze in the system, makes me think of boiler seal. Never seen this collect in the Extrol before. Reminds me of old,stale anti-sieze. Disreguard the small particles/stones.

2 airhadlers, Buderus 115-4

ExpansionTank.jpg
ExpansionTank2.jpg

Comments

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 25,151

    Could be the flexible, silicone cast iron boiler coming apart? 😉

    It's tough to know what is in the sludge, what was the ph of the glycol?

    It is a mixture of all the metals in the system probably if the fluid has become aggressive.

    Regardless the system needs a good clean and flush with a hydronic system cleaner.

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    EdTheHeaterMan
  • BDR529
    BDR529 Member Posts: 341

    Draw some off the bottom of the boiler and I do not get any of this junk. That is where stuff likes to settle, figure I would find something but nothing there but no.

    Nothing with a purge either but lives inside the Extrol. Time cut it open..

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 12,960
    edited May 27

    aluminum can make stuff like that if there is aluminum in the system. maybe the bladder is degrading and that is it and the dye in the glycol?

    looks like the old pre teflon type pipe dope.

  • BDR529
    BDR529 Member Posts: 341

    Boiler water is clear. Bladder is still in the tank with no degradation, completely collapsed.

    Check out the pic, that is inside the tank. Leaning towards some sort of growth, Bacterial,fungal?

    ExpansionTank3.jpg

    No corrosion at pipe joints, air eliminator, checks and so on.

    With that much junk if floating through system the air handlers would have been plugged. No complaints on that end.

    Antifreeze related 100%

    SuperTech
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 25,151

    automotive glycol? It contains silicates that can form a sludge?

    Does it smell, iron bacteria smells like rotten eggs.

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 12,960

    Most automotive glycol in the us contains an additive that smells like dead fish too.

  • BDR529
    BDR529 Member Posts: 341

    Smells like antifreeze that is in the system.

    Can see how it could be pumped in and reside in the extrol.

    Has consistancy of hydraulic cement

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 25,151

    new antifreeze has a sweet, maple syrup smell, the smell of an overheated car for example.

    Old, glycol that had been cooked has a sharp, locker room smell, brown color like burned coffee

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • BDR529
    BDR529 Member Posts: 341

    Sweet smell

  • SuperTech
    SuperTech Member Posts: 2,595
    edited May 29

    I certainly agree that it is from the antifreeze. Just out of curiosity what kind of boiler is this? Is it piped with the circulator(s) pumping away from the air separator and expansion tank? Are the air handlers piped with PEX?

    Glycol/Antifreeze is really nasty stuff when it's not maintained religiously.

  • BDR529
    BDR529 Member Posts: 341

    Buderus 115-4, Copper, Sched-40 Spirovent. Wirsbo 1'' hepex about 4'

    **NO ONYX

    Expansion tank on bottom of spirovent. Pulled head and element, Zero junk on element

  • BDR529
    BDR529 Member Posts: 341

    Circs pumping away, about 5 freet from Spirovent. No issues of that sucking in air

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