[yellowkid]

I have a Weill-Mclain Gold furnace thats about ten years old. its oil-fired, and runs hot water circulating through cast iron radiators. it seems to be running hotter than I remember but its one of those things your just not sure of. So i've been watching the gauge which shows both pressure and temperature. i never really did before so I can't tell if its running hotter than it used to but, the temperature goes as high as 210-220 degrees and the pressure up to 150-160? is this normal operating range? the expansion tank seems to be ok. the pressure relief valve seems OK as well, functioning properly and its not venting any excess pressure that I can see which I assume it would if it was running too hot? appreciate your insight! jp

 

[Technow]

If the pressure is going that high with a relief setting of 30 psig (normal boiler setting) it is very dangerous-shut it down.

 

[yellowkid]

thank you! any idea what it might be?

 

[Technow]

No, because there appears to be multiple issues

1. the relief valve should have opened
2. its getting too hot.

 

[roughneck]

Shouldn't get hotter then 180*, possibly 200* for a very short time after a burner cycle.
Pressure shouldn't be higher then 30 PSI. If it's over that, and the pressure relief hasn't opened then it's a very dangerous situation. A boiler explosion can knock your house down with ease, and kill you.
I didn't think basic residential style gauges went as high as that on the pressure readout. Have a picture?
If it is that high, shut it down immediately.

 

[yellowkid]

thank you -- I've called a service guy to check it out for me. is there a temperature cut-off that should be going on? I took the cover off the box on the front (the relay?) and there's a dial thats set to 180 -- assume this is a cut-off?

 

[roughneck]

Yes, that should be your boiler control

 

[user_12345a]

hydronic isn't my area of knowledge, but a thought - have you checked the aqua-stat?

shouldn't it be shutting the burner off before it gets above 200? maybe it's defective.

same with the relief valve.

or maybe the gauge is off.

 

[beenthere]

Post pic of your dial.