Hey everyone, new to the Boards here. Bought our first home a few years back and have slowly been delving into the EFM 520 that we have for our winter heat (uses hot water heater domestic). I decided to tear it down as the previous home owner seems like they neglected maintenance on it, and i basically had to chip away the old cement (was basically flakes of paper stuck to the walls). I've been looking all over but cant see what the specifications are for re-cementing the fire box? I have it down to Bare (rusted) metal, and was thinking of going for a high temp paint (just to inhibit the rust) and then applying a 1/2 inch coat of furnace cement, but wasnt sure what to make sure i get and what to avoid getting it on. Any ideas where to start?
Secondly, I noticed the cast iron baffle is beginning to crack (on the backside in the top middle of the plate). Should i start looking at replacing this?
Also, the entire firepot is warped (plates are cracking and warping pretty badly) and the bolts are rusted on (where the pot meets the auger). So i'm likely going to end up replacing the entire box together with new places and seals. I was thinking of just using a grinder for this (to get the old hardware off and to get the old pot out), any objections?
Thanks!
Stoker Cementing
- coaledsweat
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Don't paint the inside of a boiler, you won't like the results.
- McGiever
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That was NOT cement that you removed, it was corrosive fly ash layer.
No 'cement' needed to be replaced.
Firepot grates need to be uncracked and unwarped to last and not fail on the coldest night.
You are learning rapidly how good upkeep can or could save a lot of costly repairs.
No 'cement' needed to be replaced.
Firepot grates need to be uncracked and unwarped to last and not fail on the coldest night.
You are learning rapidly how good upkeep can or could save a lot of costly repairs.
- Scottscoaled
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First things first. Don't use a grinder unless you are a capable welder.Second thing, post some pictures, and give people here a chance to look at what you got. Will hook you up.
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hey guys, just saw all the replies lol. So. I got the fire pot off (wow was that a pain in the a**). Ended up having to drill the screws out because they were so badly corroded (PB blaster had nothing on these). Then i noticed a possible issue with the worm screw (auger) feed tube into the fire pot. Is there supposed to be that big gap there? (I circled it just incase). I lastly cemented the furnace walls with just a small coating of cement, just to keep it in decent shape. Not the prettiest work i've ever done, but learning is doing.