HELP!!! Wood doctor boiler has water condensing inside firebox

[fuzzybunny]

Hi!

I have a wood doctor boiler that vents out the back. Air sucked in through the firebox and down through the brick grates and then out the stack at the back through a series of square shaped tubes. It's supposed to be a gassifier, but it's not really that efficent.

A few mornings ago It got cold in the house. I went out and looked in the boiler and water was sheeting down the walls and sides inside the boiler and it was not getting hot enough to heat the water jacket to warm the house. I would also hear a wuff wuff noise about 10 seconds apart (when I shut the fire box) and smoke would shoot out the intake vent in rhythm to the wuff wuff. I assumed it was water splashing on the fire. I let it burn out cleaned it out. And filled the boiler back up with water. It is not under pressure. Anyway, I can't find the leak. It didn't take much water to top it off either! All the chimneys are clear of debris and vent freely.

I put wood back in it, lit it up with a smaller fire and now water is condensing inside again and starting to run down the back wall? What the heck. Any ideas on finding this leak. My wood might have 20% moister at highest..... It can't be the wood can it?

This is crazy. Do you think cresote blocks the leak when cool and allows the leak to occur when hot. Any help would be appreciated!
Bill

 

[Eric Johnson]

It's likely not the wood. My only thought offhand is that the water expands when it gets hot, so if there's a leak, it's probably at the very top where water only reaches when it expands. I don't know if that even makes sense.

If you do have a leak of some sort, you're going to get steam in the firebox regardless of the water level, and that's going to kill your gasification, such as it is, and probably dampen your fire in any event.

I'm assuming it's in warranty. Best to call the dealer or mfg. for a professional opinion and service.

Over the short term, you might try pouring a couple bottles of boiler stop leak into the thing to see if you can stop long enough to get it repaired. I'd try to isolate the boiler before adding the stop leak, then keep a small fire going --keeping an eye on the temp so that it doesn't overheat.

Good luck.

 

[maple1]

How old is it?

I would be afraid, after what I've read about Wood Doctors and the experiences of a guy I know, that your boiler might be shot.

 

[heaterman]

If it's a gasser I am not aware that WD has made them that long.

 

[Bob Rohr]

It's likely not the wood. My only thought offhand is that the water expands when it gets hot, so if there's a leak, it's probably at the very top where water only reaches when it expands. I don't know if that even makes sense.

If you do have a leak of some sort, you're going to get steam in the firebox regardless of the water level, and that's going to kill your gasification, such as it is, and probably dampen your fire in any event.

I'm assuming it's in warranty. Best to call the dealer or mfg. for a professional opinion and service.

Over the short term, you might try pouring a couple bottles of boiler stop leak into the thing to see if you can stop long enough to get it repaired. I'd try to isolate the boiler before adding the stop leak, then keep a small fire going --keeping an eye on the temp so that it doesn't overheat.

Good luck.

Sometimes if you have a hairline crack, or bad weld they leak as the metal heats and expands. Sort like a crack in an engine block.

 

[pulse]

Yes WD made a gasser. Unfortunately they are long gone along with any hopes of a warranty. I think they were known to crack near the flue. I guess I would start looking there. Just out of curiosity though, what are your return temps?

 

[goosegunner]

Check Polar furnace. That is the new name for wood doctor after they reopened after going out of business to avoid warranty claims.

Gg