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Life Expectancy of Weil-McLain GV

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Brad Barbeau
Brad Barbeau Member Posts: 55
in THE MAIN WALL

Been a while since I've posted but been watching in the meantime.

I'm buying a house that has been, let's say, offline for the last 15 years. It has two WM GV-5s in it from 2000. The system was drained professionally (we think), I've tested it with air, and the boilers do hold pressure.

Curious what folks think about trying to get those functioning or replace them a modcon.

Would these, at 25 years old, be near the end of their service life anyway? Is the lifespan of a boiler that hasn't been fired in 15 years different?

Comments

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 26,358

    That was, is a great boiler, fairly bulletproof.

    The water quality has something to do with the heat exchanger life. From an inside perspective.

    The burner adjustment, combustion air quality and clean and checks have to do with the outside health and longevity.

    Ideally long, 10 minute or longer run cycles. The more the components cycle the shorter their lifespan.

    Check the flue discharge and air intake pipe if it is installed with a two pipe exhaust/ intake air. Could be critters nested in the pipe :)

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Brad Barbeau
    Brad Barbeau Member Posts: 55
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1872024#Comment_1872024

    Thanks Bob,

    I was thinking (hoping?) along those lines myself. My rough calc also suggested that moving to a modcon might only save under $200 a year since those relatively efficient anyway. Payback would be a long time.

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 26,358

    I'd run it as long as you can. Spare parts that fail, ignition rods, control modules etc are still around.

    The early versions had a cast iron 3 way mixing valve under the hood. Those would sometimes gum up and stick, water quality again.

    Some of the early installs used HTPV plastic venting, hopefully that has all been replaced.

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Brad Barbeau
    Brad Barbeau Member Posts: 55

    Thanks, I like how you think, this has been helpful.

    I think these are the later series; there are the two pumps under the hood. The venting is all stainless too!

    EdTheHeaterMan
  • tim smith
    tim smith Member Posts: 2,886

    I still have some of the parts for those hanging around. Worked on them for years. They actually were pretty reliable. Igniters once in a long while. periodically a combustion fan or control board would fail but not often. They would start to block up in the pin passages on combustion side on lower temp systems. Real pain to dismantle and clean.

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