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Steam Heat still making banging noises

32K views 101 replies 10 participants last post by  redline 
#1 ·
Hi to all, and hope Mdshunk helps out as well. Well this steam heat has been a nigtmare, all piping on back of boiler has be done to specs from Burhman. Supply line 2inc, pitches away from boiler and down towards return line. All radiators and heat elements are pitch to return line, this is a one pipe system. If I drain the boiler completly out, she runs smoothly for ablout a day or two, then the banging and spitting water from the vents start. Can the boiler be bad?? Please guys help me out, I begun to hate steam heat, the heat is nice because its toasty warm, but the bangs are driving me nuts. Thanks to all. Happy New Year to all as well.
 
#60 · (Edited)
Hi helplesshandyman

I just talked with a Mcdonnell Miller distributor. The number 67 does not have a water height adjustment. You will need to make sure that you purchase the one for the proper voltage unit. You can get just a packing assembly for this unit at about half the cost of replacing. There is a place in Minnesota that has a online catalog to order from. The tech I talked to came to the same conclusion about the LWCO, he said it appears to be bad also.

Good luck
Rusty

Good
 
#61 · (Edited)
Hey Carrierman, is the same conclusion to replace? Thanks, waiting for it, suppose to have been here today! Thanks for talking to the McDonnell and Miller guys, you are a Great Man....
Thanks Carrierman, I beleive you have helped many people besides just me with this post, they're 1002 views on this one!!!!! Thanks Again...
 
#64 ·
Hi helplesshandyman

As long as the old one was in good working order and you don't distroy it getting it out, you should be fine using the old one. Sometimes it is easier and quicker to get a new one.

Good luck
Rusty
 
#66 · (Edited)
burnham_steamer

I have been watching #Carrierman and helpless handyman discuss 'my problem' with a 5 year old Burnhan gas steam boiler (working into a 50 year old single pipe steam system) with an auto water feed that just now seems to be over filling the boiler... when the water hits the top of the glass the boiler starts turning on/off... first time, I shut down the boiler, and emptied 2 pails of real dirty water down to the glass bottom... manually fed water to the 1/2 way (4") mark, and it came up fine... I have the water valve set 1/8 open ( I don't like to have a rush of cold water into the boiler the way installation crew set it)... it has run 5 years fine... I periodically empty the dirty water. Several times I had to empty the over fill recently, til 3 days ago, I closed the auto water feed valve.... the boiler is now maintaining level ok... and the burner is operating fine...... but now the question.... I keep seeing mention of changing the LWCO / low water cut off??? isn't that the controll that cuts off the burner, if the water level is too low?? I would imagine that the auto water feed ( an added option) has it's own sensor as to the water level... my thoughts are that the dirty gunk I drained, probably gunked the feed sensor.... but then I'm not sure just how the auto feed works, never having removed it....yet.
Please ...... comments welcomed.
 
#67 ·
Hey Burnham steamer, can you post me a picture of the back of the boiler piping of your boiler? This will help me out, as far as the water feeder. The LWCO does shut the boiler when the water level is too low, but at the same time it sends the signal to the water feeder, that the boiler needs water. I am new to this, but I have been working on this for a few months now. I got the water cut off today, but it didn't come with the blow down valve, I am going to purchase a new one, just like Carrierman told me to. I will definately post update once its up and running. Wait for Carrierman, Trollmaster and Mdshunk they are the pros on this stuff.
Thanks
 
#68 · (Edited)
burnham_steamer

I'm embarrassed... a closer look at the wiring shows the auto water feed getting its signal to go from the lwco.... as you said... per suggestion, I drained the water until the lwco light lit.... 1.5" of water in the glass, then I manually fed water, and at 3" the lwco light went out... so I added another inch to 4"... and turned off the water feed. It's too cold to to mess with the heating plant, since the boiler is working fine and the auto feed is an option... I'll leave it off til warmer weather. I think the 1.5" swing is too tight, since when the steam is up.... I see the glass drop 2" - 3" - 4" depentant upon the outside temp, and the length of run. The auto feed still should not over fill the boiler..... I wonder if it has something to do with how long the boiler runs??? when away, I have the temp set at 62 (used to be 64).... the high temp is 68... used to be 67.... so the boiler is now running longer to get to temp, and perhaps lowering the water in the glass even lower? calling for to much water..... I'll wait to see if your new auto feed? or is it a new LWCO? works.
 
#69 · (Edited)
helpless handyman

This is a re-write from above note.... I'm still getting used to the format....

Checked again and you are right... LWCO does signal the Auto Feed... I did check the LWCO and at low the glass shows water at 1.5"... I manually fed water and 3" satisfied the LWCO. I fed water to 4", and will leave the auto feed off until we see how your replacement works. I don't trust the auto feed, and it's too cold outside to mess with the heating plant since it is running ok without thethe auto feed.
 
#71 ·
Hi Guys

I'm back, helplesshandyman did you get your relief valve. I just wanted to let you know I am getting ready to start a new carrer, this process has been taking up alot of my time along with fullfilling my duties to my old employer before I leave. Just hang in ther if I don't answer you right away. I am interested in making sure you are up and running. And burnham steamer, I will read yours to see if I can give you some insight.

Good luck
Rusty
 
#72 ·
Okay Carrierman, here's the latest. I got a guy that came in today, a steam guy. He said that the hartford loop on the back of the boiler was too high. We had done it at 26 5/8 inc high, since that's what the Burhan specs for the boiler stated. He says that it should be at 24 inc high, half of the glass view height. Does this make sense? It kind of made sense to me. Now Burham Steamer, can you please measure your hartford loop, and give me a height, since you have the same boiler I have? I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks guys.
 
#73 ·
Hi helplesshandyman

If your pipe did not have enough drop on it to return water, this could be why he suggested this. I would say if you can get his attention, rattle mdshunks cage and see what his take is on this. He will shoot strait with you.

Good luck
Rusty
 
#74 · (Edited)
***handyman

I may not be able to get back to you til late tonight or tomorrow with the photos and measurements.... working late Note.... my burner did run fine til a week ago.... the auto feed was not a problem.... the LWCO seems to be ok, and light indicator goes on - off appropriately...as I said I am now running with the auto feed off until we get another warm spell... where should I measure from.... ground to top of pipe / center / bottom?
 
#76 ·
Burnham steamer, if you could measure from the concrete where the boiler sits on, to the height of the hartford loop. Look at the view glass in the front of the boiler, 4inc should be half of the glass, the loop going back into the water return should be that height, thats what I was told. So for instance, my view glass half full (4inc), height from floor to 4 inc on sight glass is 24inc high. So they are telling me the hartford loop should be at that height. Mine is a little higher, and they are stating this is causing the flooding. Thanks so much.
 
#77 ·
helpless handyman

I tried to attach pictures but this forum not accepting... the glass measures 22" to 32" at the in/output fitting and 26" at the 1/2 way mark. the loop is 22 1/2 " off the ground ( below the half fill mark on the glass... I hand some goog pix's but I guess the .jpg files are too large.... look at those web sites I gave you, particularly masterplumbers.com .. Interesting
 
#81 ·
Redline, I beleive its got to do with back of the boiler piping. I did it to burnham specs and its too high. I beleive the hartford loop should be at the water level height, 4inc. If I shut radiators off, it doesn't make a difference, it just takes the water upstairs to the second floor radiators. She ask for water, if you don't add water she shuts down and doesn't heat, if you give it water when the condesate comes back, you have to drain her or else she floods. Hope this helps. Thanks
 
#84 · (Edited)
Can anyone explain the reason for water hammer in a dry return line?

My water level has been remaining at the proper level in the gauge. The return line always hammers hard at the beginning of the firing cycle and then it stops after a minute. I can actually pin point the exact area where it's coming from. You can also hear water swiching in the return line. My radiator valves do not spit any water, but I do hear some condensation noise in them. I did notice that the return line is actually pitched the wrong way for a one foot section that comes off the end of the main. Then this leads to a 90 which then turns into a straight 25' run to the boiler. This 25' run is level at some points and barely pitched. Do you think if I change the return pipes with more of a pitch that it will cure my hammering in them?
 
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