low boiler pressure

[akfred]

I have a new system (less than six months old) that was running perfectly. I started to notice a faint smell of glycol and fuel. It got stronger but went away when I flushed the drains(filled the system and spilled some fuel and glycol). Last night I noticed a gurgling sound from the boiler and the pressure was at zero. Went around looking for leaks but did not notice any wet spots or leaks. Burnham V84, radiant heat still building so I have access to all lines. No wet spots under or around boiler.

What can the problem be? If the boiler is cracked would this happen? I am going to pressurize the system again tonight and check for leaks. How can I check the boiler?

thanks

[akfred]

I am the installer. Had some help with the install. Do not have the domestic water attached to the system yet. I needed heat(Alaska) to continue with interior work on house. I am now moving back to plumbing the boiler for domestic hot water and make up for boiler. I checked the manifolds for flow a few days ago and they all showed good flow. All indicators for the system were good until last night.
Thanks..

[akfred]

I pressurized the system and there were no leaks, it held 70 psi. I will open the boiler and look for leak marks. If there is a crack in the boiler would there be a smell of both glycol and fuel oil? I did smell this for a day or two but just thought it was the drain traps in the mech room letting the fuel glycol vapors out until I flushed them out. Once I flushed the traps with clean water the smell went away. Now with the system having no pressure and a lack of fluid I was wondering if the boiler has a crack.

thanks

[slimwoodie]

why didn't the relief blow @ 70 psi ..??

[coolwhip]

You need to have a professional look at your system before you blow your house up!

[todouble]

I agree have aprofessional lok at your system before you or someone else tinkering around with it get hurt. Boilers shouldnt be messes with if your not sure what your doing?

[beenthere]

why didn't the relief blow @ 70 psi ..??

I'm wondering the same thing.


Hopefully his next question isn't going to be, whats a relief valve.

[beenthere]

Why would there be fuel oil in your drain traps.

[coolwhip]

Why would there be fuel oil in your drain traps.


Thats a good effin question BT!

[markwolf]

Stop!If you have 70 lbs of pressure on a low pressure boiler & it holds you have a dangerous situation.Hydrostatic pressure could blow that boiler off like a bomb.have your unit professionally checked!

[HeyBob]

Sir,

We can't help you with any DIY when it comes to diagnosing the problem you have with your boiler.

You pressurized your boiler to 70 psi, the relief valve like others have noted should have opened at 30 psi.

We are not sure what type of installation you have or even if it was installed by a licensed and competent boiler installer.

Boilers that are improperly installed and/or set up can be extremely dangerous and can cause serious injury and/or property damage.

I strongly urge you to contact a licensed contractor that is familiar with the type of boiler that you have to properly diagnose your problems.

Please review the forum rules; there is a link in my signature line for your convenience.

Thank You,

Bob

[akfred]

I did not pressurize the boiler to 70 psi, the relief valve would let loose at 30 psi, so that would not work. The rest of the system held at 70 psi, excect for one little leak at a pump flange. I was able to isolate the pump because it is on the supply side of the injection panel and has shut off vavles. That I will fix before I continue. The boiler help pressure of 18 psi all night so there is no leak there. There was fuel in the traps because I was using a forced air heater to heat the structure while putting in the boiler. Had to supply it with a 15 gallon barrel which meant haulling fuel to it. When filling the barrel I had a spill or 5 so some went down the drain, when filling the system with glycol some spilled and went down the drain.

thanks

[beenthere]

A flange that leaked when it got cold for 6 monthes, without make up water could drop your pressure to 0.


Have it checked by a reliable contractor.

[tinknocker service tech]

fuel oil and glyco down the sewer. this isnt a very good idea. May even get you in trouble if found out by epa

dont care for glycol in a hydronic system seems to cause proplems down the road and some manufactors frone on it also