hi folks – Been doing my own boiler maintenance for a few years now and have a question about cleaning. I have a New Yorker boiler (diagram below). The manual (section below) indicates that it is not necessary to remove the burner to clean the boiler (last sentence below). I’ve been cleaning the firetubes as they indicate. But my question is : doesn’t there come some point in time when you should remove the burner to clean and inspect the entire boiler? Under “B” they only have a paragraph 1 “CLEAN THE FIRETUBES”. They [I]never [/I]discuss the combustion chamber. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! “…B. FIRETUBES AND COMBUSTION CHAMBER 1. CLEAN THE FIRETUBES a. Disconnect electric service to burner. b. To gain access to the firetubes, remove the front flue box door. For boilers equipped with flue box swingdoor, remove two (2) nuts at top of flue box door and swing door down. For boilers not equipped with swingdoor, remove fasteners around the perimeter of flue box frame and remove door . c. Remove turbulators. d. Using a firetube brush clean firetubes. Use care not to damage the insulation on the inside of the flue box. e. Replace turbulators and flue box door. Units should be cleaned at least once a year, preferably at the end of each heating season. It is not necessary to remove burner to clean boiler. …” [IMG]http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr355/zoesdaddy/newyorkerboiler.jpg[/IMG]

[QUOTE][LEFT][/LEFT][/QUOTE]I have an elaborate radiant heat system with over 12 seperate zones. It is 13+ years old. I've been having troubles with my zone valves which are honeywell model V8043F1036. I recently tested all valves and they all function properly to the thermostats calling or heat or shutting off. I've also tested all relays and they function properly when voltage is applied. I recently called in my heating service technician to look at 3 of the zone valves all on one circuit. He determined that all three valves had bad end switches, that the motors were operating fine, but that contact was not being made with the end switch and therefore current wasn't being sent out to the relays. I found it hard to believe that all 3 end switches went at the same time, but we replaced the 3 zone valves and they seem to be operating fine. Ok. Then a week later, I has another zone valve have the exact same problem and I called to have the fourth valve replaced. technician did do another diagnostic to ensure it was the same problem and sure enough. We fixed that one. Ok. Now last night I found out that on a third circuit I have 3 more zone values that are failing in the same way. When I looked at one this morning. The entire unit is incredibly hot - not normal hot water, hot, but cook an egg kind of hot. I looked at the Honeywell spec docs and the chart on operating temps based on water temp and ambient temp. My water temp is at 130F and the air temp is maybe the same (these units are in an insulated floor space with some, but not full room level ventilation). I haven't had a problem in 12 years with the system - seems puzzleing that they blow one after the other. And all with this end switch problem? can anyone help? Is this heat thing impacting it?