EFM 520 coal stove pipe won't heat up

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bgleockler
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Post by bgleockler » Wed. Dec. 30, 2020 1:16 pm

The last issue was fixed by replacing the timer, but now there's another issue that's been happening lately.

Sometimes the pipes won't heat up until I put more water in the stove. It heats up the pipe coming directly up from the stove, but won't go past that until I put more water in.
The water isn't low when this happens, it just won't heat up.

Included picture of the stove and pipe, the part coming out of the stove heats up, but doesn't go past it.
Is not a constant issue, just happened a few times recently.

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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Wed. Dec. 30, 2020 1:25 pm

Typically when the pipes don't heat up in a steam system it is because the vent(s) are not working. If the air can't get out, the steam can't get in the pipes.

 
Pacowy
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Post by Pacowy » Wed. Dec. 30, 2020 2:11 pm

You could try purging built-up sediment from the LWCO.

Mike

 
bgleockler
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Post by bgleockler » Wed. Dec. 30, 2020 2:19 pm

Does that mean just draining the water out?


 
Pacowy
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Post by Pacowy » Thu. Dec. 31, 2020 4:39 pm

My suggestion was for the low water cut-off only, so you shouldn't need to drain the whole system for that. At least some of the old school ones had integral drains; I have no clue about the others. Though steam systems generally tend to produce a lot of sediment, it's usually possible to keep it under control if you periodically release a little water from drains at low points in the near-boiler return piping.

Mike

 
ziggy87
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Post by ziggy87 » Fri. Jan. 01, 2021 11:31 pm

You might have a possible bad low water cut off (Levi), or a blocked return pipe. Can you take a picture of your lwco please. How often do you need to add water?

 
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Dakotaguy
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Post by Dakotaguy » Fri. Jan. 08, 2021 10:45 pm

If you need help I'm 5 minutes away from you my parents have steam heat pretty simple but I will help if you need

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