EFM Stoker Hot Water Gasket Replacement

Post Reply
 
hg3300
New Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu. Sep. 16, 2021 1:41 am
Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM
Coal Size/Type: Pea

Post by hg3300 » Thu. Sep. 16, 2021 1:47 am

I just bought this "new" house in November. It was built in the early 1900s and I think the stoker's from the 50s or 60s...

Anyway the gasket in the back leaks. Haven't noticed a jump in the water bill or any issues with heating but it certainly seems like something that I should fix immediately as there's a small puddle forming behind the stoker.

I don't know where the model number is located but it looks similar to the post from 9 years ago: Replacing Domestic Hot Water Coil Gasket I'm mostly worried about how much I'll end up spending to get it repaired but I want it done properly.

 
User avatar
freetown fred
Member
Posts: 30293
Joined: Thu. Dec. 31, 2009 12:33 pm
Location: Freetown,NY 13803
Hand Fed Coal Stove: HITZER 50-93
Coal Size/Type: BLASCHAK Nut

Post by freetown fred » Thu. Sep. 16, 2021 6:56 am

Pix H--pix would help

 
User avatar
Rob R.
Site Moderator
Posts: 17980
Joined: Fri. Dec. 28, 2007 4:26 pm
Location: Chazy, NY
Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr

Post by Rob R. » Thu. Sep. 16, 2021 8:50 am

If it is just starting to leak, it is not too bad of a job if you have basic mechanical skills. If it has been leaking a long time, the boiler will likely need a repair plate welded in place and a new coil installed.

As Fred says, a picture would help.


 
User avatar
franpipeman
Member
Posts: 689
Joined: Fri. Jan. 11, 2008 4:27 pm
Location: Wernersville pa
Stoker Coal Boiler: efm 520 stoker fitzgibbons pressure vessel
Hand Fed Coal Stove: harman, russo
Coal Size/Type: rice
Other Heating: alpine propane condensing boiler radiant floor

Post by franpipeman » Thu. Sep. 16, 2021 9:15 am

If its a efm stoker you could try tightening the bolts in the back gently and evenly like the head gasket of a engine. This a rubber gasket so it CAN be squeezed too much and damage it. If the rubber gasket is brittle , you should replace it you'll need to drain the whole boiler and if you dont have enough valving , draining your whole house heating system if you have isolation valves it would be easier.
If you need someone to do it id allow eight hours of work for obtaining the part, drain the boiler and house ,if no valve present and operating and installing and filling the house piping up again . Inspecting the leakage area.T Sometimes if it is a long term leak it will have eroded the steel where a major repair is needed via welding. the erosion , or severe rusting makes the surface irregular That would be outside the 8 hour estimate but doable
Threads can be corroded and might have to be cleaned and chased, that is run over with a die of the appropriate size to clean and restore the threads. Sometimes the studs break off
This is why freetown asks for picture so the exact condition causing the leak can be seen and the correct answer to fixit can be obtained
/Users/macuser/Pictures/Photos Library_2.photoslibrary/resources/proxies/derivatives/27/00/27a5/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_27a5.jpg

Attachments

efm520 004.jpg
.JPG | 1.1MB | efm520 004.jpg

 
hg3300
New Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu. Sep. 16, 2021 1:41 am
Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM
Coal Size/Type: Pea

Post by hg3300 » Thu. Sep. 16, 2021 6:23 pm

freetown fred wrote:
Thu. Sep. 16, 2021 6:56 am
Pix H--pix would help
Here are some photos of importance, a few showing water marks on the floor (they are dry at the moment) and the gasket on the back of the unit.
photo_2021-09-16_18-16-15 (2).jpg
.JPG | 96.7KB | photo_2021-09-16_18-16-15 (2).jpg
photo_2021-09-16_18-16-15.jpg
.JPG | 79.3KB | photo_2021-09-16_18-16-15.jpg
photo_2021-09-16_18-16-16.jpg
.JPG | 91KB | photo_2021-09-16_18-16-16.jpg
photo_2021-09-16_18-16-15 (3).jpg
.JPG | 105.8KB | photo_2021-09-16_18-16-15 (3).jpg

 
User avatar
Rob R.
Site Moderator
Posts: 17980
Joined: Fri. Dec. 28, 2007 4:26 pm
Location: Chazy, NY
Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr

Post by Rob R. » Thu. Sep. 16, 2021 6:59 pm

That does not look too bad. The nuts probably just need to be snugged.


 
User avatar
CoalHeat
Member
Posts: 8862
Joined: Sat. Feb. 10, 2007 9:48 pm
Location: Stillwater, New Jersey
Stoker Coal Boiler: 1959 EFM 350
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Harman Magnafire Mark I
Baseburners & Antiques: Sears Signal Oak 15 & Andes Kitchen Range
Coal Size/Type: Rice and Chestnut
Other Heating: Fisher Fireplace Insert

Post by CoalHeat » Thu. Sep. 16, 2021 10:05 pm

i agree, just tighten up the nuts a bit and see how it goes.
The gasket can get quite brittle over time, mine has a bit of seepage too and needs replacement soon.

 
User avatar
Richard S.
Mayor
Posts: 15184
Joined: Fri. Oct. 01, 2004 8:35 pm
Location: NEPA
Stoker Coal Boiler: Van Wert VA1200
Coal Size/Type: Buckwheat/Anthracite

Post by Richard S. » Fri. Sep. 17, 2021 3:00 am

That is one of the few design changes the EFM's have had over the years, not sure when but the "new" ones have a flange. Not sure if they still make them but Stoker-man showed me retrofit piece if you wanted to go that far with repair. I believe it needed to be welded on. Leaking is common problem around those gaskets, same problem with the Van-Werts. Especially if you turn it off in the summer.

If tightening doesn't stop it while it's hot shut it off. Tighten after it has cooled overnight. Careful, they may be brass nuts

Post Reply

Return to “Stoker Coal Boilers Using Anthracite (Hydronic & Steam)”