Rusty water leaking from air vent on boiler causing shutdown.

Hi,
I have a 8 yr old Starfire 3 Water oil fired cast iron boiler make by Utica. Rusty water is leaking from the air vent and backflow preventer causing it to shut down? Does anyone know what is causing this and how i can fix it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanx, Mark

 

Is the backflow preventer a Watts 9D ?

What air vent are you talking about?

Why do you believe that the leaking water is causing the boiler to shut down?

When the boiler 'shuts down', what steps do you take to bring it back on-line? In other words, what happens when it shuts down?

Please report BOTH the temperature and pressure from the boiler gauge.

 

We need to see exactly where the leaks are coming from. Please post some photos. http://forum.doityourself.com/electr...your-post.html Also, tell us the pressure and temperature indicated on the boiler gauge.

It's hard to visualize how those two leaks would cause the boiler to "shut down," although anything is possible. Is the backflow preventer leaking out the middle drain pipe to the floor? If so, I would replace the backflow preventer.

If the automatic air eliminator is sputtering water out of the schraeder valve, then replace the air eliminator. If the leak is at the threaded piping connection, tighten it.

 

I don't have a camera but the leaks are dripping from both the air vent and the backflow preventer. There is a black box that has a green light that comes on for 2 seconds and goes out. The boiler does fire, sounds rough and then shuts right off.

 

Mark, you need to answer the questions we ask... it will help us to understand your problem...

What does it say on the 'black box' ?

 

The backflow preventer is a 12" 9D M3. The air vent is the one on the very top. The pressure is at 0 the temp is at 30.

 

Hmmm.... the pressure could be zero... and that would be a problem...

what temp is at 30? I don't want the outdoor temp, I want to know what the temp gauge on the boiler is reading...

 

Pics of my boiler that is leaking rusty water

 

Flickr: markshaheen26's Photostream


Ok here are some pictures of my boiler. Do you know what would cause water to come out of the top valve?

 

I fixed your link to the photo album...

Can you get a closer shot of the pressure gauge?

Neither of those leaking devices are the cause of your unit shutting down. They do need to be repaired, but if the burner starts, and then shuts down, you've got a problem with the burner, not the water leaks.

I asked earlier... and you didn't answer....

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE BURNER SHUTS DOWN? HOW DO YOU START IT AGAIN?

PLEASE ANSWER THE QUESTION ABOUT THE 'BLACK BOX' ! BETTER YET TAKE A PICTURE OF IT.

 

I put them on flicker but I just can't figure out how to let you see them

 

I have only tryed to re-start it once by hitting the reset button . Now I have everything turned off so the water will stop leaking.

 

The black box says Interrupted Electronic oil Primary Honeywell R718A,B,P,U

 

When was the last time you had the system serviced? Oil burners need to be serviced EVERY YEAR.

If the reset button on the primary control needed pushed, it means that there is a problem with the burner and it needs service.

The water leaks are SECONDARY to this problem... not caused by it, or causing it. It's just something else that needs to be repaired. NOT RELATED to the burner shutting down.

 

Thanks so much for all of your help. I will do that