Boiler stalling after warm-up
#1
02-18-07, 08:26 AM
Boiler stalling after warm-up
I was wondering if anyone could give me an idea on what is wrong. I have a Columbia Emerald(EM-125) with Beckett bunner. It is dual zone and also provides the hot water. The problem is that after it has run for a few minutes and is warmed up it "stalls" or misses for a few seconds. and then is fine. The odd thing is it only seems to happen for the main zone not the second or when the hot water is running. The draft is fine but when it "stalls" you can tell that it is sucking air from the flue. It was serviced in July of last year and this just started happening. I am probably going to have it seviced again but I hate do do it again so soon. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Last edited by Reaper; 02-18-07 at 08:36 AM. Reason: Forgot notification
#3
02-20-07, 01:06 PM
It sounds like the flame quits at first with the motor running almost a sputter and then the flame stops for a about a second or two then it turns back on till it finishes the cycle. It seems to happen when the temp guage reaches 160-170 degrees. It doesn't always do it so I thought that it might be an air leak but I can't seem to find anything and all connections are tight.
Last edited by Reaper; 02-20-07 at 01:37 PM.
#4
02-20-07, 03:13 PM
Where is your tank located ? How full is it ? One or Two pipe system ?
Does it seem as though this is happening after it's been off for a while ? for example, when it first fires, after night setback or something like that ?
It does sound as though it could be air in the fuel... burner experts come forth!
I think it might just be coincidental that it only seems like the one zone though.
When they serviced it, did they change the screen in the pump ? did they check the pump pressure ? (I'm sure they changed the oil filter ?)
Does it seem as though this is happening after it's been off for a while ? for example, when it first fires, after night setback or something like that ?
It does sound as though it could be air in the fuel... burner experts come forth!
I think it might just be coincidental that it only seems like the one zone though.
When they serviced it, did they change the screen in the pump ? did they check the pump pressure ? (I'm sure they changed the oil filter ?)
#5
02-20-07, 05:36 PM
Trooper,
The tank is in the basement which normally stays above 50 degrees and has almost a full tank. I never let it get below 100 gal.
It is a single pipe system from the tank.
At first it seemed to be only at night but it seems to happen more frequently now. It also happens at all times of the day but not at start-up, only when it has been running for a while.
At last service the filter was changed and I think the screen but I don't know about the pressure. Would the pressure or screen be a problem after running for a while?
I think you are right about the zones being a coincidence. The second zone is small so the boiler does not run very long when heating it...unlike the main zone.
Thanks for you help so far.
The tank is in the basement which normally stays above 50 degrees and has almost a full tank. I never let it get below 100 gal.
It is a single pipe system from the tank.
At first it seemed to be only at night but it seems to happen more frequently now. It also happens at all times of the day but not at start-up, only when it has been running for a while.
At last service the filter was changed and I think the screen but I don't know about the pressure. Would the pressure or screen be a problem after running for a while?
I think you are right about the zones being a coincidence. The second zone is small so the boiler does not run very long when heating it...unlike the main zone.
Thanks for you help so far.
#6
02-20-07, 08:04 PM
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Sputter
I'm with Trooper here. It sounds like fuel starvation for one reason or another.
Fuel line come off the bottom of the tank? Fuel line run along the floor or does it go overhead? Some pics of the boiler, burner, tank & fuel piping might be helpful. You can post them on photobucket.com or similar site & provide a link here.
Fuel line come off the bottom of the tank? Fuel line run along the floor or does it go overhead? Some pics of the boiler, burner, tank & fuel piping might be helpful. You can post them on photobucket.com or similar site & provide a link here.
#7
02-21-07, 02:23 PM
The fuel line runs along the floor and wall where they meet and it does come out of the bottom of the tank. There has been no work done anywhere in that area so I don't see how the supply line could get damaged. It just seems odd that it only happens when the boiler is really "cookin". I would think that I would have a hard start if it was a suppy problem.
#9
02-21-07, 03:16 PM
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Good advice from everyone.
If this was me, I would do a few things right off the bat: I woud bleed the fuel at the pump into a clear jar and not just look for air but do enough to see if any water is in there. (water would sink)
I'd also try to open up the burner door, if you can, and actually see what is going on, as far as all that sputtering,stopping, starting business goes.
I'd also make sure there is not some weird backdraft occuring.
If this was me, I would do a few things right off the bat: I woud bleed the fuel at the pump into a clear jar and not just look for air but do enough to see if any water is in there. (water would sink)
I'd also try to open up the burner door, if you can, and actually see what is going on, as far as all that sputtering,stopping, starting business goes.
I'd also make sure there is not some weird backdraft occuring.
#10
02-22-07, 04:26 PM
Well my wife got tired of me puttering around and called for a tune up. the guy replaced the ignitor and nozzle and did a general tune up, I assume this included a new filter. Unfortunately I was at work and did not get to talk to the tech. She said that the boiler would not reproduce the symptoms when he was here....go figure. So far so good but it was inconsistant to begin with so we will have to see.
Thanks for the input so far, I'll let you know if it worked.
Thanks for the input so far, I'll let you know if it worked.
