[Lee GLS]

We had our first proper frost last night and I left my van at my parents unheated, it couldn't of bee that cold last night but I picked my van up this afternoon and there was a puddle of water below my boiler, turned the pump on and was is pouring from the heater. Something inside has split, I couldn't believe it  Oh well lesson learned, will be draining every night now.

Luckily I bought a spare fog wash last year off eBay so I've fitted that this evening. 

[PoleKing]

That's a shame Lee.

I've got L5. Supposed to hit -1 last night. Reasonable frost this morning.
All was fine.

Guess you were just unlucky. Or a little bit more exposed.
I'm still umming and ahhing about getting the giant kettle thing to plop in the tank rather than the oil filled rad.

[Clever Forum Name]

Yeah it caught me out this random frost. Fired everything up and all ok.

[DaveG]

When you guys drain down the boiler, do you just disconnect the feed pipes?

I've been doing this for a couple of years and all has been ok, but I read somewhere that you should remove the "screw in" drain plug as well...

I'm in the South so it's milder here, what do you guys do?

[Dave Willis]

Never drain mine - I just put it to bed with a cylinder jacket on it and a tube heater underneath if it's really cold.

[one eyed window cleaning]

When it get. very cold -5 ish I blow all lines and heater with air line. Better safe than sorry  imo.

[dazmond]

every day after the last job i turn pump off and turn tap on pole and release the water pressure until no more is dripping out my brush then i disconnect the inlet hose and let that drain out,followed by unscrewing the drain screw then refitting.

it takes 2 mins to do and is part of my end of the day jobs now.

better safe than sorry


regards


dazmond

[Peter Fogwill]

Yes it's best to drain the water from the drain plug rather than disconnecting the pipes.  Loosening the drain plug drains the water from the little brass part that the diaphragm is in. Pulling the inlet and outlet pipe doesn't drain this, and can cause it to crack.

[DaveG]

Unbelievable! 

I just went to drain the heater from the drain plug and the top (or bottom, depending what way you look at it) has snapped in half! 

Does anyone have a spare or know of anyone that sells them?

Cheers

[James Bulton]

That`s karma. My friend, its up comings for been so cocky. But after all you know best when it come to gas heaters.  If the water flow is to low the boiler will split. But you have never had problems.

[DaveG]

 

Eh?

[Lee GLS]

That`s karma. My friend, its up comings for been so cocky. But after all you know best when it come to gas heaters.  If the water flow is to low the boiler will split. But you have never had problems.

it was the frost you tool! If the van been heated then it wouldnt have split, it was the diaphragm at the bottom where the drain plug is. You quite clearly know noting about these heaters.

Why on earth would a to lower flow split the boiler, you thinking is beyond stupid.

[James Bulton]

 So why did you not open the valve and drain if you know so much.Tool.

[Lee GLS]

If the flow is to low it will split fittings etc due to over heating pressure which is what happens with all the chaps with with bursting hoses and fittings.If its to high the water will be under pressure and as the pipe freeze the pressured water will have no were to expand to. I just knew this would happen sooner or later.I will say no more,ZIP.

you really have not got a clue

if the flow is too low the heater will not fire up this prevents the damage. The problem with peoples hoses and connectors bursting is because their hoses and connectors were suitable for cold water but when they changed to hot water they were not suitable, this has noting to do with over heating pressure of the boiler.

Lastly, even if the i had a 10 psi pump running the boiler the diaphragm would still have split under freezing conditions because water expands when it turns to ice.

[James Bulton]

You told me you were so smart and were right on all gas boiler matter,and now.

[Tom White]

You told me you were so smart and were right on all gas boiler matter,and now.

Please put your handbag away!