Running No Heat Service Call Gas Steam Burnham Boiler with New Hire - Apprentice Training Video

Step by step explanation during this residential hvac service call on a steam gas boiler. Teaching the younger generation the skill and craft sometimes takes tons of patience, but Nick appears to be absorbing what we throw at him.
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[@vibez3610]

i’m a 2 year apprentice and watching this really helps me, thank you for the time to teach the new hire and the audience watching you 👍

[@PipeDoctor]

You are so welcome!

[@gtpforever]

I love that he had frame of mind to ask a simple question like "does the wire orientation matter" that's a great thing he did. He's aware of the small things

[@jimreilly917]

I like the way with your new tech that you walk through step by step and reinforce checking the meter each time you move to another step. Like you say…if ya ain’t testing, you’re GUESSING.

[@PipeDoctor]

Thanks

[@orreymodo5860]

I have officially watched too many Mikey Pipes video's - I was calling out parts for the apprentice.

[@brooklynboi11207]

Your training apprentice videos are always the best.

[@PipeDoctor]

I appreciate that!

[@atlasfueloilinc.2421]

@@brooklynboi11207 yes but they don’t last

[@orlandorizzo5780]

I want to CRyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! My goodness , the first day of work I WAS LIKE OH MY GOODNESS. Now when i see this WOW , damn it takes me less than 5 mins to find the problem of any boiler. I wish i had someone teach me , i was just thrown into the shallow end and was told good luck. Thank GOD for the internet, even tho it was slow in 2002 their were still places to find help.

[@inamamo-xy9vu]

I love that u follow logic that leads to pressure control not having continuity and drew conclusion that's bad, which is only half correct. Then, the what next? Next is check for clog at the inlet of the pressure control, because pigtail clogged it won't send any water to the inlet that leads to the continuity absented and it was the real cause. A electronical issue caused by mechanical issue from the pigtail may make u faulty at diagnose and I love that u are not too fast on it, u intentionally created a mis-diagnose then corrected it that your new guy will NEVER forget. A great tech will not guarantee a great teacher but this one right here sure is.

[@markcollins457]

I started out working for a HVAC wholesale distributor and naming the parts was my job. We were taught to identify the part(s) quickly to get the mechanic out the door ASAP. It was my job to set up classes at RSES meetings and oil heat association meets to put on classes featuring different controls and manufacturers. This was probably the best time and experience I've had, having the manufacturers supply me with all of there training and relay the knowledge to the service technician was rewarding.

[@Jam3s27]

I am an electrician never worked on boilers or hot water heaters over wire a few hot water heaters but just watching your videos I no almost all components and I would love to get into hvac plumbing but I am 34 years old may be to late to switch trades but I do enjoy it

[@TheRAMBO9191]

New hire, noicceee. If they are willing to learn and push themselves to learn, then go for it and go easy on them to guide them to learn. I'm still learning new things as a butcher. If you ever think your done learning then your done and shouldn't continue imo💪🏻🍻 knowledge is power.

[@PipeDoctor]

Totally! If you ever think you're done learning, it's like saying you're done eating sandwiches-there's always a new recipe to try!

[@brendanfisher2528]

Every day is a school day

[@cengeb]

Boiling water to heat a home is so so obsolete its 2024

[@torinbrown8196]

Very interesting. I used to help run steam propulsion and steam electrical generators at either 1200 or 600 lbs. Thoroughly enjoyed this informative video ❤

[@PipeDoctor]

Thanks for sharing. Although the principals are the same, that kind of pressure in a residential setting for space heating would be catastrophic

[@brendanfisher2528]

I'm a 37 year old plumbing and heating engineer from the UK, in the uk 99% of our boiler are combi boilers or wall mounted boilers... we have nothing like what you have across the pond, and we name everything diffrent from you guys... but If I came over and came on site with you guys I could probly name everything on that boiler, just from watching your videos and been intrested in your type of plumbing... these new guys new to want to learn! And stick there head into the books and take photos and label them and learn from them so they know what they are looking at... even ask to work for free for a few weeks to learn...

[@kevinwrynn1195]

What a great video, thank you so much. Testing the apprentice and explaining everything, you’re clearly a great person to learn from. Hopefully I can get you to check out our boiler. This was a great resource for improving my understanding though thanks for making these videos.

[@xephael3485]

I'd love 💖 to see Mikey service my boiler. I have all the factory working parts available NIB by it...but I've completely retrofitted it with standard off the shelf electrical parts.

[@PipeDoctor]

You're in!

[@kens.3729]

There is a LOT to Learn in your Bidnez which is Why we Call a Professional Company. 👍🙏

[@atlasfueloilinc.2421]

I see, you to like teaching our field to newbies. This is a hard field to learn that’s why customers pay for service rather then learn. I still enjoy watching someone else do the work. Keep up the good work.

[@carlm1595]

I have the same low water cutoff module on a Williamson boiler. The LED also glows dimly in normal conditions. It is normal. During low water conditions, it glows brightly and cuts off the entire 24V to the system. This must be normal for this box. Nice to know that Im not the only one where this happens.

[@PipeDoctor]

See, you’ll learn something new every day

[@tphvac87]

Great new hire, needs some finesse but I think you can work with him seems to know what’s going on. Stick with him Mikey!

[@scottvolage1752]

The dead men would not endorse the piping job. #LoveBosch Make the trades great again Mikey Pipes. Smash it for the new guy.

[@jeffreyplumber1975]

Im a journeyman of 37 years but this is something I missed feel kinda dumb but for one thing houses private homes dont have boilers here or steam. Thanks Mike been on the uncensored ill smash like and subscribe ! but new here and havent subscribed at orlando

[@timothyvaughn8482]

You really should be able doing training classes you explain equipment and process great.

[@smeyers9284]

mike you may have found a keeper might be the best first day in pipe dr history ?

[@jerryfredrick7145]

Keep up the great work Mikey Pipes!

[@PipeDoctor]

We will!

[@paulcilluffo]

Mike please put a cover on on manual power off switch Show the the young man on the wire diagram how to fast check controls and safety switch at gas valve as well as ign box show him step by step not banging an controls and that controller should have been adjusted to the proper psi the other thing a steam sight glass nut on glass rod bolt would have been nice professional

[@toldthemall8253]

Keep these types of videos up you pimp.

[@michaelbroadbent4703]

great vedio

[@PipeDoctor]

Thank you

[@timothygingras6939]

Mikey, if I was 35 years younger, I’d be working for your ass and be one of your best technicians

[@lachcik5084]

this is why i love commercial :)

[@lachcik5084]

but i love your videos!

[@zekenzy6486]

Great video. Thank you for sharing.

[@PipeDoctor]

Thanks for watching!

[@chrisc9389]

great video Mike! Quick question Why does the blocked pig tail prevent a closed circuit on the pressurtrol? I don't understand this. I don't understand how one impacts the other.. Thx in advance!!

[@Joe-xu8sk]

A closed or clogged pigtail prevents atmospheric and or steam pressure. ( in this setting)Reaching gauge & pressuretrol. Remember a pressuretrol in the main safety, shut down burner at its set pressure. Hopefully your thermostat shut down this unit before relief valve blows off

[@YouzY666]

Good thing that the pigtail to the pressuretrol didn't clog in a way that the boiler would keep on running with high pressures. How would you test that the pressuretrol switch isn't constantly closed?

[@PipeDoctor]

Great point!

[@Rainmaker88]

Raise boiler pressure over the setting

[@deny73]

That’s why you have a pressure relief valve.

[@anthonyzarcone8696]

The auto dampers are all stiff and slow to open and can keep the home owner with out heat on a freezing day I just keep mine on open, never seen a pressure trol go bad like that nutz .would definitely tell the home owners you need to put the Hartford loop in. The new guy should watch your channel every chance he gets . It will sink in congratulations on a new employee.

[@mulliganb09]

Great video! Question, I just got my steam boiler installed. If pressure troll is set at .5 psi what should the differential be set to?

[@PipeDoctor]

Not much

[@nilolee2426]

His hands are so clean and well manicured compared to mike’s 🤣

[@Romulan112]

HI Mikey, I have a Triangle Tube boiler PE110. When I fire it up, it lights and starts heating the water up, then I quickly get an error code b-30. Means ' High Temperature Limit, Boiler Supply, and Return Temperature differential is greater than 72 Degrees'. Any idea what it is asking for? I had a heater man check it out. He called Triangle Tube service and they told him, its most likely the control module. I replaced that and it still does the same. Appears it was not the expensive control board. Any ideas?

[@Romulan112]

I ended up fixing it myself. Two burner techs failed to find the fault. I am not a burner mechanic. big lesson learned about those fixing our furnaces.

[@atlasfueloilinc.2421]

Do you have a trade school in Long Island. I know 2 in nyc, 1 in Yonkers. I have volunteered as a judge with the high school kids in these schools. I know 8 mechanics in the field that got there start in trade schools. Then went into employment jobs. Is better to find people who started learning on their dime, then you dime. Try it for new hires.

[@mitchdenner9743]

It's hard enough to find someone that can get outta bed and to work on time in the morning, let alone a kid who's been schooled already. These kids are lazy asf these days.

[@Serviceplumbking96]

Mikey when can I sign up for a ride along? I’m a ma plumbing/heating tech and would love to see the pipe doctor way for a day

[@PipeDoctor]

Submit your resume

[@carlosvasquez8229]

Mr Makey in your opinion which is a good steam boiler to buy.

[@PipeDoctor]

SteamMax by US Boiler

[@tmacgee1234]

he did good for not being an hvac tech

[@scottmaz4063]

#6 😂 dessert time with mikey pipes

[@PipeDoctor]

Food

[@jacquesbowen2160]

nice video,did you record the numbers on the water feeder display,

[@PipeDoctor]

No, I did not

[@jacquesbowen2160]

@ ok I always try to make a note especially those with the display,I would reset and inform the customer, hopefully the new hire works out. Then you can really give him some insight about the low water cut off and the cleaning of the probe,take care and stay well.

[@fredlendzian7082]

You remind me of mike homes

[@mikelafave602]

your helper is shacking like a pregnant nun in a confessional. LOL

[@edwardlowery6510]

I think that’s a cutoff pressure and temp go to get their

[@xephael3485]

11:13 see the 120v sparks?

[@2pugman]

Don't they need a Hartford loop ?

[@mitchdenner9743]

Yes they do.

[@tomdale1313]

thxs for sharing...

[@PipeDoctor]

Thanks for watching!

[@growlkitty]

I had five plumbers at my house, and none of them could fire up my boiler. I got the pilot light going, but i can't fire it up. Is there anybody in the Edmonton area who can help me out? Unfortunately, i have no $$ left because even though the clowns couldn't start my boiler, i still had to pay. Until then, i just have to keep watching this channel till i can figure it out.

[@PipeDoctor]

Sorry to hear

[@cengeb]

check current draw on the igniter...it's in series with the gas valve if not enough current due to a worn thin igniter wire, the main valve won't open to fire the burners. Easy pz. Look at the service manual, current draw spec like 2.7A, if igniter is not glowing bright, it's bad

[@growlkitty]

@cengeb I don't know what any of those things are! Recently, I had a fifth or sixth air & heat "professional" inspect the system. He couldn't start it either. His suggestion is to replace the entire unit and some other things for 10 to 15k. These plumber kids know modern furnaces very well, I'm sure. And the Mercedes Benz utility vans they drive are nice and clean! But they can't repair old school machines.

[@growlkitty]

@cengeb I will replace the igniter wire. First I need to locate it and then find out how to replace it. Thanks for the tip!

[@cengeb]

@@growlkitty it's usually in the middle of the burners screwed in place with 2 insulated leads one wired to main gas valve, the other to supply, usually ty rap togetherlook for an online service manual. When i fixed our Wolf gas range oven, it was the igniter, it would glow, but not enough. The service manual I found on line had the specs at like 2.7A or it was bad, and the oven wouldn't ignite, even though you see it glow, but not bright enough. Installed new igniter OEM Wolf igniter, it glowed a lot brighter, thus allowing the main gas vale to open and let the burners get gas, pilot light is a different gas feed from the actual burners. I found the service manual on line, for free, it showed specs and locations, even how to get into burners to remove, free. Part price varied big time I found an OEM in a sealed WOLF brand package on Ebay, like $45, some places where $120 for exact same part. Wolf wanted a lot like $160 for exact same part, ebay saved the day it was a legit supplier shipped fast. Good luck. Even found a slight gas leak with my gas detector meter for explosive gas on a corrugated stainless pipe to the valve, again ebay, oem Wolf, brand new corrugated tubing , it was the ferule worn on on the joint under the nut , stove was like 20 years old, so first owner must had work done years earlier and the ferule flush seal wasn't , new one, gas leak vanished, my electronic sniffer picks up real sensitive. There was a slight gas smell in kitchen when daughter moved into the house...I found and fixed, a $400 service call before I touched it, didn't find leak, nor find the igniter going bad, I did it for much less. Get the service manual on your unit, many p[laces have it free

[@frankheintzjr595]

OMG that guy needs to go to school my dad has his master plumbing license for NJ and I know more than this guy

[@mitchdenner9743]

Good for you frank, you should know more than a drain jocky, growing up with your father in the trade. How do you think you learned? On the job training, plus book learning at home if your eager to accel. Never put anyone down for learning a new skill. Makes you look like a clown. 🤡

[@goaski474]

Ever notice 98% of the boiler switches are missing the cover plate?

[@edwardlowery6510]

tell me again what you got

[@edwardlowery6510]

heat rise 😊

[@edwardlowery6510]

expansion tank water flow water circulation

[@PipeDoctor]

WTF ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT???? THIS IS A STEAM SYSTEM. THERE AIN'T NO EXPANSION TANK!!!!!

[@raysulenski7687]

Nick wrapped Teflon tape on pigtail wrong direction

[@raysulenski7687]

I am wrong. Why is pigtail so short? They know box goes on top.

[@atlasfueloilinc.2421]

A 24 volt stupid stick would move you along quicker.

[@everettstevenson2111]

Hey Mike Diack, of MIkey Pipes Plumbing not easy being cheesy. I like podcast/social media, looking thru some comments/chats/reply??? I guess some of your customers,family,friends and competition are still checking in on you. You back too another Jamey Johnson-high cost of living-music video again. The book of deuteronomy chapter 23;1-25? Jesus would said, hmm? shitty job again. Come on Mikey, you not checking the drip leg? Love you buddy, God bless you my brother in Christ.

[@edwardlowery6510]

has to do with air and water

[@frankheintzjr595]

Check the pig tail

[@kennylavay8492]

The experience you have is great, but when teaching someone who is learning, slow down your speaking a little bit. good video and informative. Good learning experience, just dont send me a bill for the information i am learning.

[@edwardlowery6510]

water is condensing

[@chuckq54]

Not used to intelligent trainees 👍👍

[@edwardlowery6510]

tripping out

[@edwardlowery6510]

heat

[@salvhockey]

Mike what was the name of the combi bioler that doesn't require descaling annually?

[@PipeDoctor]

It’s not a combi. It’s the Lochinvar Xcalibur X3 tankless water heater

[@edwardlowery6510]

steam traps air need separator water will not pass air

[@scottmaz4063]

Reset that feeder

[@edwardlowery6510]

pumps

[@VooDooV6]

24v ain't shocking nobody

[@edwardlowery6510]

no nc

[@marcinmerrimack1726]

Your conclusion that the p’tol switch was open due to a clogged pigtail doesn't make sense. Please explain.

[@davidlampe4153]

I don’t understand how you missed it?! Just watch the video again and again until you see it. The basic test was continuity of the electrical circuits. Turn off the electrical power and test each safety measure. Step one test the spill switch reset button pressed to reset the circuit Step two test continuity on the connection with cables removed. Step three test continuity of the pressuretrol If there’s no continuity it’s an open circuit! He didn’t even bat an eyelash and asked if they were done?? He said remove the wires and clamp together and turn on the electrical power. It took a little while to turn on everything but eventually they proved that the boiler would fire. What’s the reason why the pressuretrol was showing open?? Not no pressure but too much pressure. Steam boilers are designed to turn off on pressure usually less than 2 pounds for domestic service usually around 8 Oz or less. Clogged pigtail could have been tested by removing the pressure gauge and blowing in the hole this way you could test without removing the pressuretrol Clean up the pigtail with speedometer cable and a drill and flush with water. Or skip that step and replace it with a brass pigtail since steel pigtail will always clog. So do you get it? Pressuretrol was open for too much pressure and the check was if it’s not connected with the pigtail there’s no pressure and the circuit is completed. The boilers safety system is installed not to turn on the pilot and the spark ignition unless everything else is working If anything changes you as the service technician has to find the broken component to resolve the problem. To be fair it could have been multiple issues I think he mentions it as a possibility during the lesson.

[@marcinmerrimack1726]

@davidlampe4153 P’tols open on seeing pressures above a set limit. A clogged pigtail would prevent any pressure from reaching the p’tol. So, again, how could the clogged pigtail cause the p’tol to open?

[@rickdroesch5084]

Pressure builds up and can’t equalize between the clog in the pigtail and the pressuretrol. Usually the pressurtol will actual close as soon as you unscrew it from the pigtail.

[@marcinmerrimack1726]

@@rickdroesch5084 You seem to suggest a scenario that would have the pressuretrol switch open under pressure as the pigtail was becoming fully clogged (but still partially open). And then the clog would become larger and ultimately fully in seal in that pressure between a now fully clogged pigtail and the p’tol after the boiler is off. I’m not buying it.

[@Rainmaker88]

I’ve thought of this myself but the many times I’ve gone out on no heats for this exact condition and cleaning the pig tail fixed the problem have confirmed it.

[@lan8262]

First

[@PipeDoctor]

Congrats on being the first to comment! It’s always exciting to kick things off!

[@cengeb]

Maybe you can pay for tatoo removal,those things will scare customers, they dont want to let gang members in their homes

[@PipeDoctor]

Don’t be a dickhead

[@cengeb]

Ok ill be the entire shaft​@@PipeDoctor

[@dirtmasta2960]

Always pathetic to me when the husband notices the problem and makes it the wife's problem... And then she does the initial diag with us and the husband has the info...

[@cengeb]

You must not pay much to hiring the clueless,wow.

[@PipeDoctor]

You know what? you’re an asshole

[@4RXLA]

This new guy isn’t going to make it.

[@PipeDoctor]

You sound like an asshole

[@edwardlowery6510]

thermocouple

[@torinbrown8196]

Very interesting. I used to help run steam propulsion and steam electrical generators at either 1200 or 600 lbs. Thoroughly enjoyed this informative video ❤

[@PipeDoctor]

Thanks for sharing