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turcman
Member
| Joined: | Wed Dec 31st, 1969 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 9 |
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Posted: Tue Nov 14th, 2006 04:37 am |
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| I have a 30+ year old Weil McLean tankless boiler. Once or twice a week grumbles loudly when it start. The noise last for about 5 sec and then returns to heat normally, after which is the smell of exhust. Have you heard of this before?
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toolman_tim
Member
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Posted: Wed Nov 15th, 2006 02:54 am |
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| When was it serviced last? Tuned-up?
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turcman
Member
| Joined: | Wed Dec 31st, 1969 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 9 |
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Posted: Wed Nov 15th, 2006 09:04 am |
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I have it cleaned and tuned it every year and will be again shortly...it made the noise before an after last years tune up. I told the guy about it, but as usual it never made the noise. It is never consistant, does not matter time of day hot or cold. Sometimes I do not hear it for weeks.
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toolman_tim
Member
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Posted: Wed Nov 15th, 2006 11:53 am |
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Ahh, a gremlin 'eh? Has anyone mentioned draft before on the tune-up, (too much, not enough, etc)? Did they leave an efficiency report?
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Al Gregory
Administrator
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Posted: Wed Nov 15th, 2006 11:55 pm |
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| Does it still have the origional burner? What is the name of the burner itself. Is it Wayne, Becket or Carlin
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turcman
Member
| Joined: | Wed Dec 31st, 1969 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 9 |
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Posted: Thu Nov 16th, 2006 06:20 am |
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| still has original burner weil mclean...last eff report done by Coan 78% eff 4 year ago..after went to local Acudi in Milford Ma.....no eff report from them
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Al Gregory
Administrator
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Posted: Thu Nov 16th, 2006 08:41 pm |
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| Thats probably an old ABC or Sunray burner. You should ask them about upgrading the burner to a new Beckett or Carlin. It will run much better
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turcman
Member
| Joined: | Wed Dec 31st, 1969 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 9 |
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Posted: Thu Nov 16th, 2006 11:22 pm |
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| the whole thing is approx 35 yrs old should I replace the burner or the whole thing (boiler and burner ) at this point....the fire box looks ok, cracks but not falling down
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toolman_tim
Member
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Posted: Fri Nov 17th, 2006 03:40 am |
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turcman wrote: the whole thing is approx 35 yrs old should I replace the burner or the whole thing (boiler and burner ) at this point....the fire box looks ok, cracks but not falling down
Well; A total replacement will definitely peform better, quieter(in most cases) and more efficiently. However, if time and/or money is a factor, the burner itself could most likely be swapped out, and maybe gain some efficiency points, and possibly lower the operating decibels. Sometimes though, an old boiler is so full of air leaks that a modern burner cannot function efficiently, maybe quieter and smooth, but cost the same to operate as the original. At that point the boiler itself should be replaced, and the recently replaced burner can be adapted to the new boiler.
Also thinking...draft issue...a burner/boiler may growl when started due to a zero or positive draft. This is when the sharp smelling soot/exhaust smell is usually found(well, this and a plugged boiler will do the same  . Draft measurement is most important=correct appliance setup and analysis.
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Al Gregory
Administrator
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Posted: Fri Nov 17th, 2006 09:26 pm |
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| If you can afford it a new boiler will run much more efficiantly.
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turcman
Member
| Joined: | Wed Dec 31st, 1969 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 9 |
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Posted: Sat Nov 18th, 2006 01:04 am |
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Yes, it is an Automatic Burner Co. burner
I checked the flue today and clean the back side of the draft inlet door to make sure it moved ok..a little build up but not bad, then I went to the roof to make sure there wasn't a birds nest or something in there. What I found was bad news the second liner down was detached from the top liner section and dropped about 2 inches. The whole liner in one piece leaning in one piece against the fireplace liner. This is probably the cause of the draft issue. It seems to be able to exhaust ok considering. I have had a monoxide detector in the boiler room for years and has never gone off.
Now what would have caused this and what will it cost?? Do I need to re-build the chimney or can a new liner be installed?? I saw on episode on THIS OLD HOUSE where they used and inflatable tube and pour concrete around it inflated it. Is that what I need to do?? I know this is something I need to address right away. I hope the boiler can wait a bit longer. You guys have been great with your input and the draft question lead me to the roof. It was the only thing I had not looked at, because the noise was inconsistant, that I thought if it was a physical blockage it would do it all the time....anyway thanks.
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toolman_tim
Member
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Posted: Sat Nov 18th, 2006 03:25 am |
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turcman wrote: Yes, it is an Automatic Burner Co. burner
I checked the flue today and clean the back side of the draft inlet door to make sure it moved ok..a little build up but not bad, then I went to the roof to make sure there wasn't a birds nest or something in there. What I found was bad news the second liner down was detached from the top liner section and dropped about 2 inches. The whole liner in one piece leaning in one piece against the fireplace liner. This is probably the cause of the draft issue. It seems to be able to exhaust ok considering. I have had a monoxide detector in the boiler room for years and has never gone off.
Now what would have caused this and what will it cost?? Do I need to re-build the chimney or can a new liner be installed?? I saw on episode on THIS OLD HOUSE where they used and inflatable tube and pour concrete around it inflated it. Is that what I need to do?? I know this is something I need to address right away. I hope the boiler can wait a bit longer. You guys have been great with your input and the draft question lead me to the roof. It was the only thing I had not looked at, because the noise was inconsistant, that I thought if it was a physical blockage it would do it all the time....anyway thanks.
I'm not a chimney expert; I know that some are lined, re-lined, or rebuilt, based on chimney analysis. A reputable chimney sweep will have your answer. Based upon your location, I may be able to recommend a sweeper.
A side note on CO detectors. Powers that be, suggest that you replace your CO detector every 2 years, reason being that the CO sensor can/will lose sensitivity or degrade over time, much the same as our combustion analysis equipment we carry in the field. Our equipment must be re-calibrated every year.
Also, be careful on purchasing a CO detector, some only alarm at a very high level CO, like >200ppm. I can't repeat all the levels, effects and details concerning carbon monoxied, but if OSHA standards say that an individual can work in levels of up to 50ppm(parts per million) for only 8 hours, do you really feel protected by your detector waiting for greater than 200ppm, while you and family are sleeping comfortably??
I am a strong believer of CO detectors, not favoring any brand, just check the specs of those available and chose the one with the lowest ppm rating.
\
JMHO
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turcman
Member
| Joined: | Wed Dec 31st, 1969 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 9 |
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Posted: Sat Nov 18th, 2006 03:43 am |
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| good to know......thanks. I was not aware that it needed to be replaced so often.
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Al Gregory
Administrator
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Posted: Tue Nov 21st, 2006 01:33 am |
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| Ask a chimney guy about ZFlex its a stainless steel flrxible liner. Also ask your service company if your boiler is in good enough shape to handle a new Carlin or Beckett burner. The difference would be worth the expense
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turcman
Member
| Joined: | Wed Dec 31st, 1969 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 9 |
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Posted: Fri Nov 24th, 2006 05:19 am |
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can I do this my self ??? or is it a license job
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Al Gregory
Administrator
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Posted: Sat Nov 25th, 2006 09:11 pm |
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| I would want a person that knew what he was doing to do it. Hire someone it isnt something you want to try out on your own home
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bmaguire80@yahoo.com
Guest
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Posted: Thu Jan 25th, 2007 10:51 pm |
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| I have the samae thing.I put it on...grumbleeeee then it goes away. I asked my oil man service man he said it sounded fine. 6 years old now. Burnham Boiler, carlin burner...oh well. At least it's not cracked yet.
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Al Gregory
Administrator
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Posted: Thu Feb 15th, 2007 01:48 am |
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| Usually they are quiet with the Carlin burners. Could be out of adjustment
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