Water Boiler Noise

I have (I think) a pretty old boiler - Embassy Model S-58. I am TOTALLY unfamiliar with this way of heating. Recently, a loud rattling has started coming from the circulator, a Taco 152-8E. Not all the time, but maybe 3-5 times a day. When I turned off the boiler and turn it back on, it's fine. I guess I have a few questions:

Is it damaging my system?
Will this get worse?
Is it still working while rattling?
Should I replace and how much?
Can I do it myself?


It also seems like it's not always connected to water. I had a furnace guy out who said to keep the water off until the pressure ("Altitude") is at zero, then add the water until it is back at 30, then turn it back off. Is this the correct procedure?

Thanks a lot

 

Is this boiler manufactured on Long Island, NY (Farmingdale)?

Is it a gas hot water unit?

Can't find that model, still looking, I have my trained and respected k-9 boiler dog looking too!

Charlie

 

R U SURE it is not an Embassador series?

BTW----IF it is an EMBASSY it is DISTRIBUTED through Long Island, NY but MANUFACTURED in ITALY!

This will be fun!

Charlie

 

Absolutely no!

If this is a forced hot-water system (I think it is because you mentioned a Taco circulating pump) then it needs to have a minimum pressure when cold. Usually the minimum pressure is about 12 to 15 psi but that may be different because of several different piping systems.

 

30 FEET is about 13 PSI ... so if the guy was saying to pressurize to 30 FEET, then that is probably the right pressure.

Unless it was misunderstood what he said, I have no idea why he would tell you to run it until it was a zero ... that makes no sense at all. Keep the pressure at 12-15 PSI, and if your gauge doesn't have a PSI scale, then keep the ALTITUDE at around 30 FEET. Don't let it go to zero when it's running.

Did/does TACO have any 'three piece' circulators ? If so, could this be a coupling on it's way out ?

 

Yes, Taco did have (may still have) "three piece circulators" that looked similar to B&G circulators.

 

Yep, "in-line circulators" ... but couldn't find anything in a 152 series, but the others had a similar 3 number model... so, that in mind, I'm gonna take a WAG and say the rattling may be the coupler in the pump ...

 

Thanks for all of the information. I wrote down some info from the unit. On the nameplate is says:


I saw no date anywhere on the unit. It also has a "conversion burner", Magic Servant model P359 made by the Wayne Home Equipment Co in Indiana. This is an independent piece that "reaches into" the unit to light the pilot, although that function does not work. I'll try to take pictures, because I don't see anything like this on the web.

I tried to leave the water on last night, but the pressure kept rising. Does that mean that the circulator does not work?

Thanks again!

 

No, probably not. You may have a non-functioning pressure reducing valve, or you may not have one at all !

Please try to get those pics, because it will help immensely in diagnosing your system.

You can set up a free account at www.photobucket.com and post a link to the pics here for us to view.

 

Thanks, I'll get pictures later today. I will take a video of it when it's making the noise too. It seems to be worse when we turn the thermostat up, so we have it at about 60. BRRR.