Part number 550-141-829/1211
8
GOLD
SGO
OIL-FIRED NATURAL DRAFT STEAM BOILER — SERIES 3 —
Boiler Manual
HOMEOWNER and SERVICE TECHNICIAN — read and follow completely.
Troubleshooting
Common problems
Common causes
Possible corrections
Rapid cycling - burner turns on
and off frequently.
Thermostat installed where drafts or
heat affect reading.
Locate thermostat on inner wall away from heat sources or
cool drafts.
Heat anticipator in thermostat adjusted
incorrectly.
Adjust heat anticipator to match current draw. Refer to boiler
wiring diagram.
Incorrect limit setting.
Have qualified service technician increase limit setting to
decrease cycling. Normal operation is usually less than 5
psig.
Need to frequently add makeup
water.
Leaks in boiler or piping.
Have qualified service technician repair leaks at once to avoid
constant use of makeup water.
Popping or percolating noise
heard in boiler.
Mineral deposits in sections due to
constant use of makeup water. Or
incorrect pH.
Have qualified service technician de-lime boiler and repair
leaks at once to avoid constant use of makeup water and
check ph (7.0-8.5).
Metal flakes found in flueway.
Contaminated combustion air supply.
Remove sources of hydrocarbons in or near boiler area.
(Bleaches, cleaners, chemicals, sprays, fabric softeners, paint
remover, etc.)
Condensation of combustion gases.
Have qualified service technician check boiler operation.
Isolated radiation does not heat.
Air vents or traps inoperative.
Have qualified service technician repair, clean or replace air
vents or traps.
Water disappearing from gauge
glass and back into system
through return piping.
Incorrect hartford loop piping.
Have qualified service technician pipe boiler exactly as
shown in boiler manual.
Check-valve inoperative.
Have qualified service technician clean or replace check-
valve.
Vacuum-breaker inoperative.
Have qualified service technician clean or replace vacuum
breaker.
Violent waterline fluctuations
- surging.
OR
Water passing into steam mains
- priming.
Dirt, oil or other impurities in water.
Have qualified service technician skim boiler.
Waterline too high.
Have qualified service technician adjust waterline to normal
height.
Incorrect piping.
Have qualified service technician pipe boiler exactly as
shown in boiler manual.
Sudden release of boiler steam pressure
by action of zone valves.
Have qualified service technician adjust valve operating time
or install slow-opening valves.
Domestic water from tankless
heater is hot then suddenly turns
cold.
Or
Domestic water from tankless
heater is always lukewarm.
Mineral deposits insulate internal
waterways of heater.
Have qualified service technician delime or replace coil.
Boiler stop-leak compound has been
added to boiler water and is insulating
outside of coil.
Have qualified service technician remove and clean coil and
drain and flush boiler to remove stop-leak.
Incorrect mixing valve setting for
tankless heater.
Have qualified service technician adjust mixing valve setting.
Domestic flow rate too high.
Have qualified service technician install flow check valve set
to rating of tankless heater.
Incorrect setting on tankless heater
control.
Have qualified service technician raise tankless control
setting. Adjust differential on tankless control to lower
setting.
Homeowners — The problems and corrections below represent common situations that can occur. There may be
others not listed below. It is important always to contact a qualified service technician if you have any questions
about the operation of your boiler or system.
