Worst case........

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1

Originally Posted By: wpedley
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Say you run oil fired boiler for twenty min and all of a sudden you notice they(homeowner) shut the water off to it…don’t know why…therefore no water in system. Gauge is maxed. What will happen once it cools and water is supplied and fired back up? icon_rolleyes.gif icon_rolleyes.gif

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BPedley


Inspecting for the unexpected

2

Originally Posted By: rbennett
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Probably nothing other than that the system will work as designed.


Running a boiler with no or low water will stress the heat exchanger but for the short time of 20 minutes probably did no damage.

If it was mine, I would call a qualified professional to check the complete system before lighting the system off again

A little additional information would help - and what prompted the question??

RLB

3

Originally Posted By: wpedley
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Thanks Rich,


I was asked this by a realtor today. Seems the house was winterized and they turned it on but forgot to fill it. Oh boy!!!

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BPedley
Inspecting for the unexpected

4

Originally Posted By: rbennett
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Sometimes called pilot error


In this case call a qualified professional -

Sounds like you are building a good relationship with the realtor - good luck

RLB

5

Originally Posted By: jsavino
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Will


It depends on the boiler, if it is cast iron or steel. If it is steel, probably nothing. Maybe the baffles melted inside and need to be replaced or the coil gasket may need to be replaced. If it is cast iron, there may be some damage. The sections in a cast iron boiler have push nipples between the sections. Weil Mclain boilers use a neoprene push nipples, ( some boilers have steel ) that after 20 minutes of running with no water, may have been damaged beyond repair. More serious would be a cracked section, probably in the upper half of the boiler. You wouldn’t know until the boiler is pressurized and ran to operating temp. Either case the boiler would have to be replaced.


In this case the burner should have been disabled from running. Either by disconnecting the power source, duct tape the switch in the off position, or something as simple as put a sign in big letters DO NOT OPERATE- NO WATER IN BOILER.

I would recommend on any boiler, a hydronic low water cut off be installed. It's good insurance for under $ 500 verses a $ 3000 + boiler install.

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John Savino
HomeWorks Inspection Services, LLC
St. James, NY
631.379.4241

6

Originally Posted By: rbennett
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


John


Agree 100% - Your thoughts on failure down the road??

RLB

7

Originally Posted By: jsavino
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


In past experiences, the boilers with neoprene push nipples have failed almost immediately after being fully pressurized and at operating temp.


Steel push nipples seem to weather the storm a little better, so to say.


IMO, the boiler will need to be replaced, maybe within 2-3 years.


I mentioned hydronic low water cut off's because even boiler feed valves and boiler gauges could fail.

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John Savino
HomeWorks Inspection Services, LLC
St. James, NY
631.379.4241