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TROUBLESHOOTING
Table 8.1: Boiler Troubleshooting Guide
PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
Burners not functioning.
1. No power. 1. Check line voltage wiring and fuses.
2. Limit (Aquastat) not working. 2. Check wiring and contacts, relay, temperature
setting. Clean and adjust as necessary.
3. Flame rollout switch open. 3. Replace switch. Locate cause and correct.
4. Blocked vent switch open. 4. Reset blocked vent switch. Locate cause and correct.
5. Gas off at boiler gas valve. 5. Start boiler using Lighting/Operating Instructions.
6. Gas off external to boiler. 6. Check any gas valves in the line.
7. Plugged orifice spuds. 7. Check, clean and re-install.
8. Defective gas valve. 8. Use Figure 8.1 to troubleshoot intermittent
ignition gas valve. Replace if necessary.
9. Improper wiring. 9. Check and correct in accordance with wiring
diagrams in Section 6.
10. Vent damper malfunctioning. 10. Refer to vent damper manufacturer’s instructions.
Replace if necessary.
Burners will not shut
down.
1. Defective gas valve. 1. Use Figure 8.1 to troubleshoot intermittent
ignition gas valve. Replace if necessary.
2. Short circuit. 2. Check and correct wiring.
Flashback or burning
at orifice spuds.
1. Manifold gas pressure too low. 1. Adjust to proper pressure.
2. Improperly sized/drilled orifice spuds. 2. Install correct spuds.
3. Leaking gas valve. 3. Replace valve.
4. Burrs on orifice. 4. Remove burrs.
5. Low supply gas pressure. 5. Contact gas supplier if natural gas.
6. Excessive downdraft or draft problems in
boiler room.
6. Check air supply, ventilation and venting system.
Delayed ignition. 1. Insufficient pilot flame.
1. Increase pilot gas flow.
2. Pilot burner/orifice clogged. 2. Clean pilot burner and orifice.
3. Overfiring. 3. Reduce rate to input on rating label.
4. Misaligned burners or pilot. 4. Realign burners or pilot.
5. Draft problem in boiler room. 5. Check air supply, ventilation and venting system.
Boiler not heating
properly.
1. Underfiring. 1. Increase rate to input on rating label.
2. Limit set too low. 2. Reset Aquastat to higher setting.
3. Air in system. 3. Vent air from all points in system.
4. Circulator malfunctioning. 4. Check circulator, replace if necessary.
5. Circulation system clogged. 5. Shut down and cool boiler, drain and flush system.
6. Incorrect thermostat heat anticipator setting. 6. Adjust heat anticipator.
Fumes or gas odors
1. Leaks in gas piping or fittings. 1. Locate and repair or replace.
2. Leaks in gas service line or meter. 2. Shut down boiler and notify gas provider.
3. Obstructed chimney. 3. Check, repair and/or clean chimney.
4. Obstructed flueways or vent. 4. Clean flueways or vent and remove obstructions.
5. Undersized chimney or vent, high draft loss
in vent.
5. Check National Fuel Gas Code and vent
manufacturer’s recommendations.
6. Draft problem in boiler room. 6. Check air supply, ventilation and venting system.
7. Overfiring. 7. Reduce rate to input on rating label.
8. Vent damper malfunctioning. 8. Refer to vent damper manufacturer’s instructions.
Replace if necessary.