Can EFM 520 Boiler Leak Be Repaired?

My uncle ha a EFM Stoker that he LOVES. Recently the boiler sprung a leak at the connection from one of the fire tubes to water jacket. He found a guy locally that said he can weld it, but it has taken a very long to get things moving. Is there anyone out there that can do this? The guy wanted him to remove all the fire tubes, which he did and they are all ready to be welded. We're in NEPA, so if there's anyone around let me know-

hi and welcome. Call Matt Derenzo,he has brought many dead boilers back to life and has an excellent and very experenced welder to fix leaks, matt's the man for the job.
http://www.anthracitecoalstokers.com/

The tubes in a boiler are not welded, they can be but not recommended, they are rolled with a tool similar to a flaring tube, over a period of time the welds will leak due to expansion and contraction. SCRAPPER

I think the tubes are "swedged" in place. Best to look for a different boiler.

How badly is it leaking?
http://www.oatey.com/doc/boilerliq.pdf

I don't know why he took them all out. That means replacement of all the tubes. Once they are rolled into a hole they are expanded to form a metal to metal seal. If tubes are leaking sometimes you can re-roll them to tighten them back up but if that doesn't seal it up you replace the single tube.

Suggest you get someone in there that knows the boiler and what can and should be done. Like was recommended call Matt.

Rev. Larry
New Beginning Church
Ashland Pa.

OOPS I missed that line where he said all the tubes had been removed, forget the Boiler Liquid.

Time to spend some quality time with this bad boy

My Father used to work at the Phila Gas works . He would have to enter the steam drums and they would install new T" tubes in the boiler. they where likely water tubes rather than fire tubes and he used to talk about rolling the tubes….. thats the baby eh, He used to tell me it was hot as &*^& . I am a steam fitter by trade and never had to to do it. Yet I have worked on valves and other devices that have mechanically sealed metal to metal connections and they really amaze. me.
Yet. in the 520 I have how would you replace or renew a "fire tube" like in the 520 . Would you not have to burn the water jacket off and retube and reweld.?

Thanks Guys, I'll talk with him about calling Matt. Out of curiosity, any new or refurb 520 boiler sections out there? The leak was a good sprayer, probably too much for the Oatey sealant or oatmeal to work. I dunno why the guy he talked to told him to pull all the tubes. Probably a bad idea.........

If you have a tube leaking in the middle portion you can use a temporary fix until the weather warms enough to do the proper thing.

Just take a broomstick and ram the tube full of newspaper. The paper will not burn as the leak keeps it wet. Monitor the pressure or water level if steam.

You can keep the boiler in service for days or even weeks to get over a cold spell.

NOS,

Please check your private messages (envelope icon at top of page).

Thanks.

Mike

OK I talked to him, he and the guy he talked to decided to replace all of the tubes because there were several tubes in bad shape. The unit is pretty old. Question- anybody in NEPA have one of the slide hammer swedge tools that Sting pictures in his response? Or, Sting- How much to put that in a box and ship to NEPA?

you don't use a slide hammer - If your a real man ---- you use a 1inch socked driver/ breaker bar or ratchet

If your lazy - you use a one inch reversible drill

THESE DAYS --- I stand in the back and watch - maybe hand over a shim or band aid

try a search on ebay for

Boiler Tube Expander

only new ones today but used ones [when available] are cheep