Question regarding boiler replacement
Hello, all. For the last few months, I’ve been having an ongoing problem with my Weil McLean boiler for our home. We have radiant heat, divided into three zones. Each zone has its own pump.
The boiler goes through a series of light ups where the ignitor turns on, gets hot, and lights the gas (natural gas). Shortly after, the gas flames out, and the process starts all over until the boiler fails, and goes into safe mode with the exhaust blower on, and no heat in the house! If I turn off the power, then turn it back on, the process starts over. Sometimes it’ll work for 3 or 4 weeks, sometimes it lasts for a day.
I’ve had the same hvac company out 6 times now. They keep replacing a broken part, like the flame sensor, or the ignitor, etc… which has failed, but isn’t causing the failure. The broken part is a result of the over use of the ignition system, but not the cause of the actual problem. Now, they want to replace the gas valve and the pressure switch.
Are there any licensed hvac guys that are here that can tell me if I’m wasting my time with these repairs? The boiler is about 20 years old, and the hvac company has been trying to tell me to replace the whole boiler, and they don’t seem too enthusiastic about repairing it. They are a licensed Weil McLean dealer, but never seem to have the parts in stock. They’d sure love to sell me a new boiler for $5K, though.
What should a new/replacement installation of a boiler cost me, and are they trying to put the screws to me, or are they being fair. $5000 just seems awfully high to me.
Any insight or help would be appreciated.
Jeff
Replies
Might try here:
http://www.weil-mclain.com/professionals/services/tecnicalservicecontact.html
Jeff
What model boiler? I'm guessing an HE??
Could be the gas valve. Or gas pressure. Assume they tested those??
Test the Amps on the blower motor and compare to what's on motor plate. If the blower is old and slow, it could cause a drop in pressure when the boiler fires. The amps reading will be high. This will then trip the diaphragm switch. Or it could be the switch itself. Have they by-passed the switch or tested the pressure with a water manometer?
But, if it is a HE boiler, it's getting close to the time to replace it.
They put in a new gas valve on Friday, but it wasn't OEM. They were here last night, because when I got home at 8:30 PM last night, the boiler was out again. The technician pulled a part that I believe was called a "flame rollout switch or sensor" that went bad, but he stated it isn't the problem, just a product of the constant re-flaming of the boiler, which goes out 10 seconds after it lights each time, and continues to do so until some new part can't take it, and breaks again.
They said they're ordering the OEM gas valve, and a pressure switch, 0EM, on Monday, and can't get it here until, at the soonest overnight on Tuesday. We're without heat until then. As I'm typing this, both fireplaces are going, and the house is at 56°. I'm off to the store shortly to get some space heaters.
What should a new comparable boiler cost to replace, unit and labor? Access is easy.
Thanks a whole lot for replying so quickly. We're getting the house ready for sale, and the last thing I want to do is to replace the boiler ($$$$$). However, I will if I have to.
Jeff
Somebody reply here!
I have a WM HE boiler doing the same thing. after 3 repair guys and replacing the gas valve, the the mercury flame sensor, still the problem.
The boiler cycles, the pilot lites, burners come on shortly , just to go back out.
I took a piece of copper wire to short across 2 of the three ternimals on the flame sensor modual that plugs in to the gas valve and the burners stay on.
I want to read more about all of your thoughts.
You might want to ask over at the forums at http://www.heatinghelp.comThey are hot water and steam specialist so I there is a good chance that they have seen that boiler..
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Bill,
Breaktime is my #1 site & the Wall is my #2 site. I just haven't gotten around to posting on the wall. But when I read the post above that hit home with me!!
Thanks,
Fred