Poll
Question:
How many leak free years have you gotten from your current or old outdoor boiler?
Option 1: 1-5 years
votes: 42
Option 2: 6-10 years
votes: 66
Option 3: 11-13 years
votes: 18
Option 4: 15-17 years
votes: 17
Option 5: more than 18 leak free years
votes: 10
How many leak free years have you gotten from your current or old outdoor boiler? My mild steel CB has now been in service for 15 years. I run it 365 days a year.
Heatmor has given me 7, so far. But even if it did start to,it has saved me time and money. I had an indoor one in my other house for more than 20,with no problems at all.
We have a Heatmor, I think we are on the 7th season.
i bought a used taylor 10 yrs ago. no leaks yet. the dealer for them said every one he sold was still going
My 6048 is over 8 years old and no leaks. I've only had it running for a couple of months, but no issues with the previous owner.
e-2300 is 6 years old. never had to add water.
This is my 4th season heating with the CB E-Classic 1400; no leaks at the boiler but I did have a small leak at a fitting inside the house where it connects to the flat plate heat exchanger. A slight tweak with a pipe wrench and all is good. Roger
I'm answering for my brother's unit. His is now 24 yrs old, but has been repaired a few times. He has re-tubed the unit as well as welded a patch on the bottom and another on the back. At 24 yrs, Installed in the summer of 1990, that's not bad. His is a Taylor Waterstove.
11 years until my first leak. small cb.
13 Years on my Heatmor, and no leaks as of yet. 8)
E-classic 2300 - 2 1/2 years before a defective weld cracked.
I had the welds repaired and reinforced and now on 3 1/2 years since. Unfortunately Central Boiler and the lifetime warranty on these defects were worthless with the problem.
Central Boiler CL-40 installed November 1998 still no leaks Knock on wood!!!!
jcmc,welcome to the forum.
The CB 7260 has been in service for ten years now. No leaks. It burns about six months per year and yes, we have caused it to boil over a time or two (amazing how hot a fire fueled with shop scraps can get in a very short period of time). The CL-40 we had before that was in service for 12 years without any issues.
wood doctor was 5.5 years old I think the first time, has leaked twice since then and is now 7.5 years old
Central Boiler, 14 leak free years (no leaks ever). Replaced it this year with a brand new classic only because it would be the last time I could get a classic.
Central Boiler E-2300 leak free for 6th year now. knock knock knock
I have a Heatmaster SS. 8 years to date and no problems.
userdk, welcome to the forum.
Wood Boiler brand. Nothing but a problem! No actual leaks on the boiler itself, but EVERYTHING else has had an issue. 4th season now, I am constantly working on it! Works great when it does, but boy look out when it has a "day". Oddly enough, I still like it. Go figure...
no leaks here... i never keep a stove more than 5 yrs though :)
I have 6 yrs in when spring time comes. No leaks but my controller went out.
th9542, What sort of issues have you had w/ your stove? Just curious. Am a central boiler owner and just like to be aware of what may go wrong. No leaks since useing for the last 8-9 seasons
bbhughes- This is a Wood Boiler brand. I feel its more of a series of design issues than anything. Starting with the blower had NO shutter. It would empty the firebox out in hours and constantly had boil overs if it was above 40. Had to build a automatic damper/shutter.No stack caused a constant haze around the house. Added a 4' stack and that was done. Hoses on the door pinch, bind, and then leaked. I fabed swivel hyd. hoses and that helped some. Pump tends to aerate when house doesn't call for heat. This is my doing I believe- pump(s) are in basement on a panel for ease of service/swap. Sheetmetal likes to loosen up on the exterior too. Still I have to say I like the full door and octagonal firebox and that's what has kept me from cutting it up...
I've had a woodmaster for 10 years, with the exception of a blower fan going no problems.
Hawken50,welcome to the forum.
I wished I would of got my OWB sooner.
I have CB e-2300, which has been in service since 2009. No leaks, but that would probably be the only thing that has not been replaced or repaired. Do not get me wrong, I love heating with an OWB. Just won't be buying another CB. Leaning towards a Portage and Main 350 optimizer.
I have a " Friesen built " made in Manitoba. 6th season no issues and no leaks, open system , but I have to mention, that I put it in my old shop and it is actually a " indoor " unit. I just hate digging wood out of the snow. ;D
9 yrs.
Am now a snow bird and in Florida so will only run OCT Nov DEC and in the spring when I get home.
10 years free heat machine no leaks, one blower. the blower was installed with the drip cups flush to the door so I didn't even know they were there. One stumper was the electric wire in the flexible from the stove to the door, the hot was solid copper and it broke so the thing would run the booster fan sometimes. Took me three days to find. I reconnected every thing till the solid conductor felt loose once and I pulled it right out of the weather proof cover.
update! went to fill my boiler last weekend. It was taking an unusual amount of time... After checking it I found water pouring out of the tin!!!!!!!!! I pulled up a lot of the tin and found that there was a hole in the top of the boiler. A rotted out area in 1/4" plate. This unit is only on its third season. Nice hey-
had our CB 16 years 24/7/365 then it started leaking by the stay pins the next year it got a few pin holes then I got it relined and so far 2years with no leaks we never did any thing with this stove just put water in it when we got it
I didn't see any comments on a E-2400 but mine has 2 seasons with no problems, and I hope to get many more.
E2300 8 years and no leaks so far!
Hawkins 1100 and 5 yrs. for first leak, I have burned 100 cord of wood for past 3 yrs. Sprung a leak 12/24/2014 and no help from installer or company and they are not willing to honor 20 yr firebox warranty. Looking for a repair person or a new model and open to suggestions. Trying to heat a 3000 sq. ft. old built in 1818 home. Thanks for your opinions and offers of suggestions!
-30°
Is your Hawkens an outdoor or indoor?
Welcome to the Forestry Forum.
15 years with a 1978 Tarm boiler, it was bought and installed for the first time around 2000.
I'll never get as good a deal on a boiler than I got on this one, I paid $1100.00
Quote from: Hilltop366 on September 08, 2015, 12:34:05 PM
15 years with a 1978 Tarm boiler, it was bought and installed for the first time around 2000.
I'll never get as good a deal on a boiler than I got on this one, I paid $1100.00
Tarm is a great company. I installed an ECO in '12 and hope I can get that many years of service.
I paid a good deal more then that. :D
I had a HS Tarm at my old house and it was about 20 years old with no problems that could not be considered maintenance, such as a pump every 5-6 years. But they are over $10 K now, out of my price range at this time.
30 below, had old houses, know your pain, But 33 cord a year! Ouch!
Larry
15 - 17 on my fathers central boiler and 8-10 on mine. Still no leaks on either boiler!!
9 years on my "HEATMOR" without any leaks. Just replaced the 3/4" hose's on the door this week, as a preventive maintenance procedure.
I have a central boiler system that began to leak in firebox after 19 months of burning. Professional welder looked at it and stated poor quality materials used by manufacture caused the burn through.
Leslie
Welcome to the Forestry Forum.
That statement is easy to say by your welder. And we don't run down a manufacturer on the forum with such chat. just sayin....
Lot's of things can cause boilers to leak sooner or later... design, materials, untreated water, firing habits, etc.
2008 e-classic central boiler sprung a leak today!! The leak is on the right side as you face the boiler right where the steel is bent where the fire brick ended. The steel is split about 1 inch vertical, will weld and seal and will report back if this works.
Update on 2300 leak, 2 inches long and horizontal, tried to weld, steel too thin, tried some epoxy repair lasted 36 hours and leaking again. I could send the furnace to Central Boiler for inspection & repair but have opted to purchase a 2400 and hope it will outlast my 2300 which was purchased in 2008.
Haven't seen any Shaver furnaces yet. Mine is 4 years old, no problems at all. Very simple design, maybe too simple. Seems to be wood hungry, yet it does a great job of heating my old farm house. I put it in myself, total cost around 6500. for everything. I decided if it lasted 6 years, all else is "gravy on the plate". 8)
I have 4 years on a Earth, Rancher 360. The firebox looks like it's made from a 36" section of pipe,1/2" thick. No leaks, no problems.
Our boiler came with the farm and was installed around 2003. Still going strong and it burned coal for most of its years. We just switched it back to wood.
In my 6th year with Eclassic 2300. No leaks yet. Replace the door gasket every year and usually a solenoid every year or so. That's about it.
Going on 9 yrs with my Woodmaster 4400 heating 2500 sq. ft. house, zero problems other then dampener flap on blower motor going bad and low water light went out..ran it year round 1st 3 yrs I owned it, last 6 yrs have been from late Sept till early May..just built a 24x32 shop and thinking about hooking it up to heat it..
CB EC-2400 - installed in 2010. No leaks knock on wood ;D
Have been surprised at how many parts have failed though - blower motor, several solenoids, water level sensor.....
This unit runs 365 days a year.
2010 Eclassic 2400 no leaks and running great. Replaced a low water sensor in 2012. Upgraded Firestar 1 to a Firestar 2 in 2012 so I could add the XP wifi monitoring device so I can check water and reaction chamber temps with my smart phone. Love the XP! Wouldn't be without it. Everything else is still original.
CB Eclassic 2400 - this is 6th year - still going strong - i run it 365 days a year.
change mine from 6-10 to 1-5 please :(.7 heating seasons on my 2300 E-classic. put sheet metal screw in hole till summer :-\
I just shut down after my 3rd season with a Central Boiler E-2400 and found a leak from the air channel at the back of the unit. It looks to be in a difficult area to repair since it will require cutting away the air channel to get to the leak. I am starting the process of calling the dealer I purchased it from today and will keep a post of the process.
OK the dealer suggested sending the unit back to CB for repair instead of trying to do a field repair. CB will dismantle inspect and repair. I submitted water quality samples and records with all numbers to CB recommendation. The dealer picked up the unit and will load it on a CB semi next trip from the factory. continued After 3-4 weeks I was told CB inspected and the repair is 100% on them. CB will pay for return shipping plus they will send 2 bottle's of rust inhibitor. My cost will be the shipping there which CB helped with.
I feel they honored their warranty and would recommend doing business with Central Boiler.
Going on my second week with my Portage & Maine, so far no leaks :D
Same with me. I just installed the E-Classic that I purchased new a couple years ago, replacing my old one that still wasn't leaking. This new one is the same one that I had to repair a hole in the water jacket, when the unit was still brand new.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10134/078.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1413417447)
Tomorrow will be 8 days with no leaks. But I was holding my breath when I fired it up. :D
Have a Mahoning owb, going on 17 years no leaks, I have double dosed rust inhibitor twice a year, when it's down for the summer I empty it out of all ash and use a soft stainless bristle on a drill and a scraper to remove creosote. Neighbor has had his for about 15 and they just rebuilt his water jacket for about $1000. But he has had it over fire and boil out about 3 times, his daughter, wife forgot to close ash door and his air intake flap froze open.
blackbruin- Mahonings are pretty popular around me. I know some going on twenty years. I bet your somewhere near Western PA. Do you burn coal? I had one that lasted about 10 years before it fell apart. The door was warped, jacket rusted out where the stack comes out and water jacked got some holes in the seams within a few months. I contemplated fixing but decided on new since this is my sole heat source. I decided to go with a Hoss this time around and so far so good.
I have an Aquatherm that went into service in 1997. It developed its first pinhole leak in the outer jacket in its 16th heating season. I repaired it with JB Water Weld and it is still holding. It has since developed another 3 pinhole leaks also repaired with JB Weld. I know this boiler is now operating on borrowed time but I have a backup heating system if it fails. I have replaced the circulating pump twice, the blower motor twice, the temperature relief valve once and the expansion tank once. The inner jacket next to the firebox is stainless steel and has never leaked. I called Aquatherm to see if I could buy another unit without all the peripheral devices (gauges, relief valves, motors, aquastat, etc.) and they said I could not but they would make me a good deal on a newer model since I am a returning customer.
Starting my 11th season with my CB 6048 (fingers crossed).
the 6048 has a little thicker metal than the 5048 don't they
Eclassic 2300. Going on 8th year. Just fired it up for the winter heating season. Previous owner didnt have any major problems. Just your common door seal replaced, solenoid and a few other common replacements.
My wife's grandparents had an AquaTherm that made it 15 years...it would have lasted longer if they would have used inhibitor and not just straight well water...
CB - 6048 -- 9 years -- runs all year long and has never been shut down.
Regards,
My neighbors e-2300 just sprung a leak, as you open the firebox door its on the right hand side above where the brick were located. My 2300 sprung a leak in the same place a year ago, had to replace it, steel toooo thin to weld! vintage 2008,
Myself, my son and two friends purchased 4 e-2300 classic boilers 8 years ago. Two of them leaked this past year and one was replaced with a newer 2400. The one remaining e-2300 is still operating but we feel that it is a ticking clock. Not sure if Central Boiler will do anything substantial about the leakers.
I have been a welder for over 40 years and in my opinion welding these e-2300 boilers that spring a leak, is not an option. The metal is far too thin and I don't necessarily believe that they were ever the thickness that we were told when we bought them.
Back in NY full time now.
Classic repaired 3 yrs ago and now appears to be using a little water, down about 1/4" in 5 weeks.
Maybe this is normal, I cant remember from when I used it all winter 4 years ago.
No evidence in the firebox as yet, crossing my fingers.
pete i have 5 of them now everyone that has a welder guy come out and fix them the only thing they do is weld the leak that's what i/we did for a few years does not fix the problem you need to reline the hole fire box its not hard just time consuming i bought 2 used ones this summer one I'm using the other is a spare the other 3 had leaks that was patched before and the owners got fed up and told me if i take them away they where mine 1 day 3differnt owb with all the hook ups pipe,side arms hot air rads and 2 water to water heat exchangers 8) 8) this summer I'm going to reline and sell 2 of them there is a great demand for them here
Quote from: Logging logginglogging on September 29, 2015, 08:25:19 AM
15 - 17 on my fathers central boiler and 8-10 on mine. Still no leaks on either boiler!!
Update, just put a screw in a pinhole it developed last night to get me through the rest of the winter. Hopefully.
e-classic 2300
Made it through the winter sent the pictures of the leak to the dealer yesterday!
Quote from: Logging logginglogging on May 23, 2017, 08:49:22 AM
Made it through the winter sent the pictures of the leak to the dealer yesterday!
I wish you luck. My experience with them has been that you might as well start your first fire with the warranty papers.
Mine is still holding, water use seems to be normal.
Plan to burn all yr now and use my Hemlock slabs in the summer for domestic hot water heating.
When it springs another leak I'll get hold of coxy.
Quote from: petefrom bearswamp on May 24, 2017, 07:46:14 AM
Mine is still holding
When it springs another leak I'll get hold of coxy.
who is that :) I just got another one give to me that leaks that I'm going to fix and give to my daughter I'm up to 5 of them give me call anytime pete except when its -20 out :D
OK Paul, wont call in mid winter.
After reading all the probs with the eclassics Im glad I didnt get one.
simpler is better.
maybe some satday ill stop up and check it out maybe reline it before winter cause I know things will go good till the middle of January and -20 then it will start leaking that's what mine always did ;D
Would be delighted to have you for a lunch or even a supper.
After reading this thread, it appears every brand has issues, is there a brand that doesn't leak eventually??
In a word NOPE
I once had a dealer tell me that he has never had one of the stoves he's sold ever leak. I'm sure this guy was a used car salesman in an earlier life. :D :D :D
Chet,I betcha he was right.
You was talking to him when he was only selling them for 5 years. :D
Just fired the Woodmaster 4400 for the 12th year. never had a leak and still running the original 011 and 007 TACO pumps,, probably because I bought two spares after year 4, LOL
Just fired up CB E-2300 for its 7th season and its leaking
Quote from: Chet on December 24, 2014, 11:32:46 PM
How many leak free years have you gotten from your current or old outdoor boiler? My mild steel CB has now been in service for 15 years. I run it 365 days a year.
My boiler is inside the house. But it's been running non-stop (summers excluded) since 1957! So over 60 years! Never had a leak. I've replaced the controls twice and the pump motor coupling has been replaced at least twice but electric pump motor and pump are original. Oh, but it's a natural gas boiler! :D
Just sprang a leak on my HS Tarm excel 2200 a week ago. Rewelded the brace joint and we're good for another hundred thousand.
My Canwood Boiler has now provided me with a small leak that doesn't want to be found but drains a few gallons each day. So it was installed sometime around 1998 and now its 2017. Does that make 19 years? Not bad I guess. I'll need a replacement for spring installation.
Wood master 4400 for ten years, year round..
I never put deep well water in it.. Too much iron..
I fill it from a shallow point well I have for my garage or I bail water out of the creek.
Good water = long lasting boiler.
Love hearing all of the positive reviews on the Central Boilers, makes me feel better about the one I got coming.
I've had my CB E classic 2300 since 2008. I've had endless recalls like many of you know. It sprung a leak several weeks ago and I was able to have it fix by my neighbor who is a talented welder. It has since sprung another leak (which drained all 5 zones over night out the boiler) that appears less fixable. Both leaks are where the bricks were before they were recalled to be removed. I spent a total of $20k for furnace, apex piping and installation; that would have bought a lot of oil! I have called CB and sent them photos but I've not heard back as of yet.
Heatmor 400 and a 200. No leaks, just do your maintaince. In service at full capacity for 18 years.
I have 2 tractors,but 2 OWB? Kinda like you,a small tractor and a big tractor, a big OWB and a small OWB?
4 years on a CB 5036.....nothing yet other than a few light bulbs.
I was a wood Doctor dealer for a couple of years. They had an issue with a robotic welder not completing a weld on the right upper corner of the door. Mine leaked after 6 years . Welded the door and had no more issues . Replaced 1 blower.
I have a 1995 Central Boiler CL 40. Other than replacing the rope gasket on the door and in need of a new chimney,mine has been fault free and leak free which now has me scared. This is the only heat source that I have for my house. Only paid $4500 back when I bought it so it owes me nothing.
We're on year 4 of our Heatmaster, our previous Wood doctor started to leak after 12 years & totally rotted out after year 14. Hopefully the stainless will last longer, if it doesn't we'll seriously look at European technology wood/wood pellet combos.
Those of you who have had leaks, did you put corrosion inhibitor in the water?
14 years on a Woodmaster
Another trouble free season is quickly approaching on my 1995 Central Boiler. Hope I did not jinx myself.
I've had my 2300 central boiler for almost 9 years. It sprung a leak this year right after Christmas. Was able to drain off enough water to fix it with high temp silicone and a sheet metal washer and screw. It's been good since. Being somewhat proactive, I called my dealer inquiring about any factory fixes. He told me it would only get worse and I should follow the warranty rules and jump through those hoops. So, I have a new one that is stainless coming soon. Only costing me about 9 grand! Yes I have inhibitor in the water, but no I haven't been using Ashtrol. Maybe I should have.
My neighbor just put a new eclassic in about 3 weeks ago.
His old classic sits in his back yard.
He is burning green wood from his logging jobs so we will see how that works for him.
I wonder how that will like green wood.
I am doing that now with red pine. ::) I am low on wood. But saying that the red rine is doing better than what white pine would. I did a experiment one year and burned green white pine. I kept warm sawing and splitting white pine. I went through some wood. :o And I don't want to mention the smoke. Not a great way to burn wood,green,but we have to do what we have to do.
Quote from: milkie62 on February 25, 2019, 02:29:34 AM
Another trouble free season is quickly approaching on my 1995 Central Boiler. Hope I did not jinx myself.
Guess what ? I jinxed myself. Did not use it for a few days. Went out to start a fire to take off the chill and found a couple of inches water in the bottom. Cleaned it out crawled in and found the leak.Called a repair guy and he said he will have it good as new. Hope after the repair I get a few more years.
This is my second season with a new classic edge, and I noticed the water level dropped (dropping maybe...) so I suspect a leak somewhere. Not thrilled
As to how much, it started above the fill line, and now it's about half the distance from the fill line to the bottom. And that's from initial fill last year to this season
Mine drops about that much when the furnace is off. Once i fire it up, I'm back up to the fill line. Water expansion?
I should be more clear. It was good and full when I stopped last season, right at the mark if not a bit above. Through the summer I would check occasionally every few times I'd cycle the pump. Then maybe a couple weeks back I noticed it lower than full, and then a little lower next time. Now it's got me thinking leak.
So opposite of expansion?...lmao
Not totally uncommon to get a small fitting or valve stem leak somewhere in the system after shutting down a hot system, that is where I would look first.
Thanks for the tip, that's what I'll check first!
After reading the posts, I didn't see any mention about Crown Royal Stoves. Is that a good thing? I been looking at 7400 and hope is a good unit
Look at their warranty, see what and how it covers. I am having central bring me a new one after only a year. Rusted/corroded a hole in the water jacket. I am considering hauling in distilled water for the new one
I bought eclassic 2300 in 2008 and run it in the winter in Massachusetts. It started leaking 1.5 inches/day after 11 years.. I wanted 20 years at least to make it pay off. Dealer says Central Boiler will not warranty leaks after 10 years so I am stuck. Can't find the leak so I think I will try hercules boiler liquid leak stopper. They should make these things with thicker steel to last. Very disappointed.
Update on eclassic 2300 leak: I used a gallon of Hercules boiler liquid and the leak apparently stopped for a couple days running, then it leaked out again 4.5 inches and at the same time the hot water plate heat exchanger apparently also clogged up with no heat coming across even with boiler still at 190F. So Fail for CB and also fail for Hercules which claimed it would not clog heat exchangers. I'm going on winter vacation and can't deal with leaking boiler so I have drained the system. Anybody want a used CB boiler??
Just an update on my boiler report from 2014. I have 12 yrs in now in my EKO 25 . I have a few problems but not bad. I have had had 2 leaks so far and all on the same fitting. I fixed it the first time and I didnt do a good job. The second time I fixed it last yr. and no problems. It is a good boiler and easy on the wood but it is a fussy boiler. I had my second controller get funny on me . It reads 215 degrees and shuts down , thinking it is over heating.