Posted by: B Wilder on December 04, 2001 at 13:32:32:

In Reply to: Boiler Furnace Problem Posted by: Bob Q on November 29, 1999 at 15:24:41:

In my house, I have a boiler furnace w/three thermostats to control heat in the house, where it is transferred to wall coil radiators. I came home and my wife notified me the furnace was making a loud screeching sound. I ventured down to find it is coming from a motor that is secured into the piping w/4 screws. I believe this is the circulating motor for the water. It sounds as if the bearings have gone in the motor. It would not shut off after turning all the thermostats off, so I turned off the electricity to the motor. #1 - will this hurt my furnace by turning off this motor and having the thermostaats all the way down so as not to start up the boiler system. #2 - it appears to be an easy fix..4 bolts and it looks as if it pops off, but do I have to worry about water coming out after taking engine off...and anyone buy one before..cost wise?

Yes,that is the circulator. No,it doesn't hurt anything.Yes,you are going to have to replace the circulator. It's sounds as though the bearings are wiped.

To replace the circulator,if you don't have valves on either side of it,you are going to have to drain the system,but first shut off the incoming water to the boiler. If there are any other shut-off valves in the outgoing side of the heating system(other zones?),shut them off and you won't drain the whole system. There should be a drain valve near the bottom of the boiler. You DO NOT want to replace the circulator without doing this,as you will have water all over,plus you might get burnt.

Yes,it is an easy fix. Trace the wires back to the control box,and remember where they go. The circulator should come with gaskets or o-rings. If not,ask for them.

After you make the repair,and everything is back together,you will have to refill the sysem. Turn the cold water supply back on and the system will fill. Somewhere over the furnace,teed into the piping,there,hopefully,is a small barrel-shaped device(vent) with a stem with a tire valve type cap on it. Loosen the cap after turning the supply back on. This will relieve the system of air. Once it's filled,turn the power back on,turn whichever thermostat that controls that circulator back up to call for heat. You may have some air in the pipes(even from the other zones) for a short time,but the vent should eventually take care of that. GOOD LUCK.

Forgot the cost. Probably well under $100. Been a while,can't recall exactly,but doesn't matter. You need it anyway,right? Gotta have heat.

That is correct, suprisingly, my wood burning stove is keeping the place toasty and I have a 1800 sq ft house, 1 level. That relief valve, I think the inspector told me I had to replace that too. I haven't looked at how to drain the system except for what you have wrote, but, is there a connection usually for a hose to go straight into the sump pump? Also, I read on here to keep the possiblility of pipes in your boiler from freezing..put a 'lil antifreeze in them...is this true and if so, will you get an antifreeze smell from it?

Btw, thanks for replying to the message..I'm new to the boiler system..moved in 2 months ago, from gas furnace.

Yes,antifreeze is a good idea in some cases. If you live in an area that is prone to power losses in the winter months,or if you decide you want to use your woodstove for a couple days just for kicks,your pipes could freeze if it were extremely cold out.

You mentioned relief valve. A relief valve is the (usually brass)valve that is mounted near or on top of your boiler with the handle. If you depress the handle,hot water comes out of it. That's isn't what I was talking about. I don't believe I'm using the right terminology when I say AIR vent,but at the moment I'm blank for anything else. This thing is small,round,sometimes metal,sometimes plastic.Usually piped right into the system over your head in a vertical position near the floor boards. About 3 inches high and 1 1/2 inches in diameter,with a tire valve type cap on it. This is what relieves the system of air after you refill it. If you have an expansion tank inline,it may be mounted near that.

OK,I know you are going to ask. As water heats,it expands and needs somewhere to go. Thats what the expansion tank is for. It's an almost round tank,about 1/2 the size of a basketball, hanging from one of the pipes.