your better off replacing the boiler

 

Get rid of it, and go with another brand for sure.

 

It should have a warranty on it.
Have them call and find out.

When they serviced it, and when you blow off the Low Water Cut Off weekly, does/did it shut off the burner?

No boiler is made to withstand dry firing.

 

Find out if its under warrantee. Let us know.
I was told about a year ago that Burnham is done paying out on the V7 heat exchangers. If that is what you have.
What is the model #?

 

Sounds to me that your yearly servicing consisted of nozzle filter change and wipe down,if serviced properly yearly I can't imagine a dry fire on steam system.Low water cut off and blow down should be checked bi-monthly.I would keep that in mind.Nothing wrong with Burnham you might want to change service companies instead.

 

Nothing wrong with Burnham

Guess you've never heard of the problems with the V7.

 

It's definitely at V-7

Thank you all for responding to my post. The boiler does have a device on it that monitors the water level and automatically adds water when needed. It was replaced in October, 2003.

Also, it is a V-7. I am not sure of the size, but I have the installation papers still. The serial number is 27016362. I would definitely be interested in learning more about any defects/problems with the boiler model. Thanks again.

 

Re: It's definitely at V-7

.....Also, it is a V-7. I am not sure of the size, but I have the installation papers still. The serial number is 27016362. ....

BINGO....you got the "270xxxxx" serial number, that was one of the families of serial numbers that had really common cracking failures. The other serial number is (I think) "671xxxxx".

Your boiler, as with thousands others (no exaggeration!), has a bad cast iron heat exchanger. Last I knew, Burnham was still warranteeing them, but only to the original owners of boiler. So if you're not the original owner, you may have an issue getting it replaced. That warrantee honor is bullsh*t in my opinion. That being said, the replacement still costs you money because I don't believe Burnham covers labor to do the warrantee replacement, any more that is. That could be hundreds of dollars right there. The entire V7 boiler is no longer too......it's been replaced by the V8 lineup. Burnham is a good company, they just had loads of casting problems (casting shift=thin walls?, but they won't admit to it though, and in the beginning they were really good about warranteeing. Then as the entire V7 lineup (especially those 2 serial numbers) was seen as a warrantee claim, Burnham backed off on doing the right things and changing them out 100% (labor included). Overall, if you find someone to change the "block", you do have a good boiler that should last many years. Without a doubt, to change the entire boiler to something else (Peerless, Weil McLain, Buderus, etc) would cost thousands more.

 

Lucky me. I have written to Burnham about this today. My HVAC contractor gave me a quote to replace the boiler with a Burnham V-8 (over $9K!!). I have now asked my contractor about the possibility of just replacing the block.

Thank you so much for the info. Things are getting chilly here in NC.....

 

steam radiator system

Gosh, have not seen one of those since 6th grade at school. They had a coal fired boiler. Not much demand in South Georgia for them now

Good luck with that thing.

 

Burnham Steam Boiler

Kathy,

In response to your post here and your direct e-mail to me, I will again reiterate what may be happening here. First off, to bjd, oillpman and casturbo, this is a Steam boiler and NOT a Hot Water boiler. The issues you are bringing up ONLY pertain to the Hot Water Boilers. This whole issue has been discussed time and time again here and at other sites and we are still standing behind many of those boilers.

Kathy indicated that this is a V76 Steam boiler and that it was equipped with an automatic water feeder. The reality of this all is that ANY brand of boiler installed in a very old "steam system" is prone to things that may be wrong with that system. In review, these difficulties may be leaking wet returns, radiator and vents. Main vents that are not installed, undersized or leaking. Uninsulated supply mains causing excessive condensate to be produced during running cycle, thus lowering the ph of the boiler water. Adding an automatic water feeder simply becomes a convenience for the building owner but can also become a "band-aid" for a bad situation. Unmonitored addition of makeup water can cause internal corrosion on any brand of boiler. These are the reasons that ALL boiler manufacturers warranty steam boilers for only 10 years.

I want to stress that "misinformed opinions" can be not only unfair to the people that come here to ask questions, but dangerous to the industry as a whole. That is one of the reasons that I monitor this site and others whenever I can. I certainly hope that this helps!

 

I didn't realize that residencial steam was only 10 years, thanks Glenn.

Where can I get info on the opus boiler?

I&O

 

Thanks

Whoops, guess I owe Burnham $$ for the extra few years I got beyond the 10 year warranty on the steam boiler. I seem to be swimming upsteam ... with the steam radiators and boiler, maybe it's time to go with the flow and convert to a gas furnace.

 

Keep the steam and go with Peerless.
I have yet to see a steam Peerless boiler fail in less than 30 years. Burnham is a poor mans boiler.

 

Glenn < Burnham is a product that I would never install again either hot water or steam for that matter.

You guys lied to us about the V7 and the IN series in
steam.

Most people who replace there steam boilers are going to live in the house for some time IE more than the warrantee.
However Burnhams logic is that the average homeowner will stay in any giving home for less than 7 years, bingo no warrantee with the new owner.

I have been installing steam systems for over 30 years, and never have I seen so many failures from Burnham
Do us all a favor and admit that you had a problem and honor those warrantees.

BJD

 

Steam Boilers

bjd,

I have absolutely NO idea what you are talking about. Burnham has not lied to anyone regarding any of our products. The Warranty supplied with each and every boiler states that the boiler is warranteed to the "Original Homeowner" and the terms of the warranty also state that no labor is covered in the process.

A couple of questions for you sir. When you change out a steam boiler do you do the following?

(1) Check each and every radiator for steam leakage at the supply valve and vent?

(2) Check all radiator vents for proper performance?

(3) Check all main vents for proper sizing and performance?

(4) Reinsulate steam supply mains in applications where the old pipe covering has been removed, either now or previously?

(5) Install a water metering device to monitor makeup water usage when automatic water feeders are installed?

(6) Check the ph of the boiler water either at replacement or during a service call?

(7) Make a return visit to the installation to properly clean out the boiler after it has accimated to the system in was installed in?

If you answered yes to ALL of the above questions, then you are probably the one telling the lie. All these things are discussed in the I&O manual supplied with each boiler but are seldom performed. If you have had difficulties with our boilers or with anyone elses, then there is usually a reason. Boilers of old were sort of bulletproof in that they were thick, had larger water contents and were sluggish. Today's boilers are of a smaller mass, are somewhat thinner and are quick to perform all because they have to meet the minimum efficiency mandates. That doesn't matter whether it is ours or anyone elses.

I can tell that this discussion is probably going nowhere so I will end it here. All I ask is that before you make generalized statements as to one product being worse than another, take a long, long look as to why you are having more difficulties than the next guy. I guarantee that there are plenty of folks on this site and others that have not encountered the difficulties you have. That tells us that it is the "external factors" that can sometimes cause premature failure in certain areas.

 

Re: Burnham Steam Boiler

Kathy,

In response to your post here and your direct e-mail to me, I will again reiterate what may be happening here. First off, to bjd, oillpman and casturbo, this is a Steam boiler and NOT a Hot Water boiler. The issues you are bringing up ONLY pertain to the Hot Water Boilers. ....

Where the boiler cracked, isn't it the same section that is used in BOTH hot water and steam applications? I don't believe there are different front section castings for steam and water boilers. That being said, I like Burnham alot, in fact, plan is to install one of their new MPO boilers in my own house in the spring.

Cathy, shop around your quote for a new V8 is poor IMO.

 

Steam Boiler

CasTurbo

About the only time you will see a crack on a steam boiler is when it has been dry-fired. Based on the information supplied on this site and by e-mail, this does not seem to be the case. I would strongly suspect an internal corrosion issue to be the culprit here. This will usually show up on the top of the boiler in the vicinity of the flue passageways.

I have followed your posts here for a few years now and realize that you do indeed support our products and we thank you for that. I just felt a need to jump in and try and straighten out the issues a bit.

I'm sure you will be more than happy with the MPO. I have had one in my house for about a month now and it performing meticulously. I opened it up this weekend to see how things are looking inside. It was spotless everywhere through the chamber and passageways. Considering that I'm running relatively low water temperatures with a Tekmar reset control, I was pleased to see that as I somehow expected to see signs on condensing. My average water temperature has about 147F on the high side to keep the four baseboard zones satisfied. While firing I'm seeing it operate betwen 120F and 147F over the past month. That will go up as we get into the colder weather here in Rhode Island.

 

Update-Burnham Oil Burner in NC

Hello. I originally posted on this site when my 14 year old Burnham oil-fired steam boiler cracked in the front section in the bottom half of the section. There was much discussion on HVAC Talk of the boiler having dry-fired, thus causing the crack:

http://www.hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?threadid=91331

But, a low water cutoff had been installed in 2003 in order to prevent this problem. Some observed that Burnham had been having problems with cracks in their boilers, but Glenn Stanton of Burnham stated that such problems were only found in water boilers of a certain vintage.

I have since replaced the boiler (with another Burnham ???). I wanted to thank you all for your input and advice, it's nice to have heat again after using kerosene heaters to try to keep warm during a time period that temps were in the 20's in NC.

In addition to thanking you, I wanted to let you know how my warranty claim is going. Actual excerpts from the e-mail discussions follow, in reverse order. Some names and phone numbers have been deleted. Burnham has not contacted my installer, I provided them with his direct cell phone number on December 12. I wanted them to contact him directly so he could avoid the long wait times on their warranty line.

-----------------------------------------------------------

1/3/2006

From: "Burnham information" <info@burnham.com>
877-567-4328
----------------------------------------------------------

12/19/2005 10:11 AM

Can you please tell me what the status of this claim is?
Kathy
-----------------------------------------------------------
12/12/2005

I just spoke to the person who removed the old boiler and will be installing a new one. He would be happy to
speak to you. His cell phone number is (number provided to Burnham).

Kathy
---------------------------------------------------------

12/12/2005 8:25 AM

I can have the installer call you, if you will give me a direct line for him to contact you.

Kathy
-----------------------------------------------------------
12/12/2005, Monday

From: "Burnham information" <info@burnham.com>

Has your installer called us. Glen can't replace the unit we need to.

-----------------------------------------------------------
12/8/2005, Thursday, 9:15 AM


There is a visible crack on the side of the lower half of the first cast iron section of the boiler, water is leaking out now, and steam came out of the crack when the boiler was operating. I posted the problems I am having with the boiler on HVAC-talk and Glenn became involved in order to quell the complaints and comments that resulted from my post. Since that time I have e-mailed him some information, including a picture of the boiler. You may want to speak with him.

My contractor is coming on Friday to remove the boiler, I can have him call you when he is here if you have specific questions. I can also have him leave the boiler here if Burnham is interested in examining it directly. Do you have a direct line? The last time I called I was on hold for several minutes.

We have not had heat for about three weeks now, and with temperatures getting into the 20's at night I am anxious to get things resolved. The bottom-line question is if I replace the boiler with another Burnham, will the company assist with a portion of the replacement cost as a good faith gesture? I would appreciate anything you can do to expedite this matter.

Kathy
---------------------------------------------------
12/8/2005

From: "Burnham information" <info@burnham.com>

You need to have an installer call us. We need to know why it's leaking.
Regards,

----------------------------------------------------

12/6/2005 9:49:25 AM

Hi. The serial number is 27016362. Due to the relatively warm NC climate, the boiler is used only 3-4 months per year. My husband and I are the original purchasers of the boiler. Thank you

Kathy

---------------------------------------------------
Burham responds the following day:

From: "Burnham information" <info@burnham.com>

Please your installer call us with serial number.
Regards,

----------------------------------------------------
First contact with Burnham, I complete on-line form and provide the following information:

12/5/2005 10:03:17 AM

Are you a: Home Owner
How Did you Hear about us: Other
How Many Times have you visited our site? First Time
What is your question regarding? warranty question

Additional Comments:
I installed a new V-7 boiler in November, 1991. I have
maintained it yearly. It is now leaking, and I recently received information about a defect in this model boiler which causes it to leak. Given the poor performance of the boiler, I am requesting that Burnham do the repair or, if a repair is not possible, replace the boiler.
I hope we can work things out.

 

RE: Steam Boiler

Kathy,

As you are already aware, this boiler is well beyond the steam boiler warranty period. When you spoke to our Customer Service Agent, who's name and number you have, she informed you the same thing. She also informed you that she would desire that your contractor call her at his convenience to discuss this. Thanks.

Glenn

 

This clown is trying to sell YOU a product that he knows will not make warrenty? Hello lets get rid of " Burnham" and go with any other brand "X" maybe you will see that they being the " other " company will be a much better boiler that will out live its warreinty.

\As burnham, has and will always say it was " install Problem" not covered.

My thought; tell burnham thanks but I want a boiler to last longer than 4 years.


BJD

 

Sorry; Forgot to mention I cant wipe my Ass with the warrant that burnham supplies.

Yes its Sh%t

Good luck with your new boiler


BJD

 

Strange you have so much trouble, about 2 years ago, we had a customer with a v7 water boiler that leaked, Burnham sent a new block, no fuse.

 

Sorry; Forgot to mention I cant wipe my Ass with the warrant that burnham supplies.

Yes its Sh%t

Good luck with your new boiler


BJD

Your wrong, Burnham gives same warranty as all cast iron manufactures.

 

I'm a steam guy, and on 99% of all the steam boiler I've seen are installed WRONG.For the sake of professionaism, read the instruction, NO bullheads ,use drop headers, know your A and B dimensions, vent the mains and read read read . If you are going to install a steamer, know how to do a EDR.Steam is a wonderful way to heat.