What an Oil Steam Boiler Tune-Up Actually Looks Like

[@CrawlinJK]

Watching your video really shows what my service tech “didn’t do” thank you for great info.

[@pdzh]

I am in a propane delivery and service industry. I always add ac/boiler/furnace switch if none is there. It's quick and easy modification. Customers are pleased when you tell them you added a safety feature that they can use if they feel something is not going right

[@Chris_In_Texas]

I know its an older video, however one thing you should have done as a precaution would be to test the low water cut off as well by draining some water out to make sure it actually shuts off! Safety first! 🤠👍 And a potential sale for new low water cutoff if it doesn't work.

[@Casey97498]

oil line blow out guns are perfect for clearing plugged pig tails. your videos on properly testing stuff are extremely helpful

[@theapprenticesurvivalguide]

Thank you for the support! Great tip too!

[@circaskater254]

You forgot to check the pump strainer! Great informative video, I recommend to use carb cleaner and spray down your electrodes, flame retainer, and nozzle assembly, and use some grit paper to get the nasty stuff off of the electrode tips. I noticed you used a Beckett electrode setter, I know Carlin has their own electrode dimensions which can be different than Becketts. I look forward to learning different ways you approach jobs!

[@theapprenticesurvivalguide]

Believe it or not I was going to include the strainer but forgot to mention it thank you for picking up on that! I was taught the Beckett guide is a good "guide" but eventually ill be able to see it by eye, like i'm sure someone with your experience level can do! Thank you for tip with the carb cleaner, definitely gonna include that in maintenance, and i look forward to learning different ways you approach jobs too! Keep in touch!

[@tunezghb9794]

@@theapprenticesurvivalguide do you have any literature that you would recommend for a low period apprentice ? I’m trying to learn as much as I can on my own time.

[@stanleyroberts2461]

Good through service!

[@patrickcoraggio5971]

Great video thank you! I myself am getting started with oil boilers! Wouldn’t you want to put a 60° nozzle with that retention head? So the spray doesn’t creat more soot? I’m just asking because this is what I’m TOLD lol.. if you could can you do a short video on how to pick a nozzle that would be awesome ! Thanks again for the content !!!

[@theapprenticesurvivalguide]

Patrick your support is super generous thank you! I'm learning too! Honestly not as difficult as I thought it was gonna be or would you disagree. Absolutely ill make a video about it!

[@theapprenticesurvivalguide]

Forgot to mention, Beckett has a great pdf call "Becketts guide to oil heat" you can download for free, tons of great information!

[@patrickcoraggio5971]

Lol some days I feel like I’m doing great… then I get the call with the person who has a 100 year old locomotive boiler lol with all cast iron nozzle adjustments and can’t get the fuel line treaded back on after I do a cleaning and have the person watch over your shoulder ….

[@theapprenticesurvivalguide]

@@patrickcoraggio5971 would you disagree the hovering is the worst part? I wanna be able to funk up in peace and fix it without someone watching, or talk out loud to without someone asking me questions about everything i just said and how i contradicted myself 5 times lol, I know I contradicted myself its called troubleshooting

[@patrickcoraggio5971]

@@theapprenticesurvivalguide This is all the TRUTH, this is my family business and I have only recently stepped in a as a “boss” lol .. I’ve been on the oil truck most of my life and now having to go and troubleshoot and deal with customers directly and explain why things are the way they are is the most stressful thing. Especially when I can’t figure out a problem and I need to call someone who knows way more than me.. I hate putting doubt into the customer..

[@andydelle4509]

Why does the nozzle need to be replaced every year? Couldn't you just soak it in a detergent for an hour?

[@citylockapolytechnikeyllcc7936]

You work on OIL fired equipment? Where is Molly ?

[@theapprenticesurvivalguide]

Yes, and im not sure i understand the reference lol

[@michaeldauria5477]

He is talking about steve lavimoire, he is a tech that works on a lot of oil equipment. He has a youtube channel and travels with his dog molly in his service van

[@malachy1847]

@@michaeldauria5477 " Good enough for this Neighbourhood" love that saying ... now using same all the time.

[@kevin7151]

Nice and thorough job. I do the same thing each year with my gas steam boiler. I also turned out all the drain valves and cleaned the accumulated mud out as well as turned out the sight glass valves and cleaned out those too. I put in Hercules steam boiler cleaner also. Do put that in or a comparable product, like 8-way?

[@theapprenticesurvivalguide]

Great to hear from you Kevin! Thank you for your generous comment. Only if the sight glass valve looks really muddy I’ll hang a little container on the valve then open it up to let it all flush out, if it has a sight glass drain I’ll let it flow for a good minute and call it a day. Do you think that’s enough or I should be more thorough? As far as cleaner I’m more familiar with using squick, seems like the Hercules brand might be better? Hope to hear back!

[@kevin7151]

@@theapprenticesurvivalguide You do good work. Most service people do a very quick and less than thorough service. With so many steam systems in the NY/NJ area, you must be very busy. It seems like you see a great deal of them, and from what I know most homeowners neglect them and then have problems. I have found by doing the maintenance I do the last number of years, I have little mud in the system. Key is what you do is cleaning out that pigtail, as that is big point of failure. I see this home has a brass pigtail but steel fittings, which cause other problems. I would suggest they swap those out for brass. Squick is excellent, Hercules product seems fine by me but always open to someone who is in the trade and knows best. Thanks for your response. Keep up the great work! Finally, you will be in great demand as there are not many people like you left servicing these boilers. Go Giants and Jets!

[@theapprenticesurvivalguide]

@@kevin7151 I cant thank you enough Kevin, you're very positive and supportive! Yeah, where i'm at we run about 5-7 service calls a day each, 6 sometimes 7 days a week. I don't think you would disagree with the idea that, and its mainly why I work that way, the more thorough you are with your preventative maintenance, the less of a chance you'll have to return for a service call later on. Obviously we can't find everything so it's going to happen, but going to a service call and finding out its just dead batteries in the thermostat is much better than finding a boiler leaking lol. You keep up with the great work too! I can tell you are passionate about your work! Go Giants (although these days they really test my patience)

[@kevin7151]

@@theapprenticesurvivalguide Am in the north western part of Nassau county, NY and there are so many steam boilers here my friend. My house is around 90 years old, so I make it a point to keep things running smoothly. I am old now, but a someone like you who has youth on their side will have a very productive career doing what you are doing. Just explain to each homeowner what and why you are doing what you are doing and they will better understand why it costs more. Quality always costs more, and that should be your sales pitch! Preventive maintenance is key with these boilers. Nice win by the G-men today, although I hope Jones injury is not bad.

[@theapprenticesurvivalguide]

@@kevin7151 I was doing a maintenance by someones house one day and she told me she gets a gold service every year because "cheaper is always more expensive" Couldn't agree more, you get what you pay for, it may not be today or tomorrow, but in the long run you'll spend more cheaping out. Steam is really big over here in north jersey too, well at least in the older areas, all new constructions are installing forced air, some gas, some electric! and not mini split heat pumps, electric resistance coils, and then call and say "my house is cold"

[@pdzh]

I don't live there but I know the fly. When I did trucking I had to look for them on my truck when I was leaving Philly area

[@kevonslims7269]

You didn’t check the filter in the oil pump..

[@mikev.1034]

🤙🤘👍

[@Joop5000]

Be careful using a metal wire brush to clean out those sections. soot is flammable and the metal brushes can create spark and ignite the soot, it has happened with unpleasant results!

[@06GOAT56943]

No offense you do realize that fuel oil is not supposed to be used as a lubricant on the filter gasket. Fuel oil swells rubber gaskets.

[@theapprenticesurvivalguide]

Interesting, I was taught to do it that way, thank you for the advice!

[@06GOAT56943]

I work with a one or two guys that use it that way. Everyone else uses a real oil for the lubricant. I don’t think it’s make or break but I just try avoid it knowing that it’s a possibility the gasket could swell and cause a small leak.

[@theapprenticesurvivalguide]

@@06GOAT56943 i'm grateful you took the time to reach out and teach me something new, thank you! So something like lubricating oil for let's say a circulator pump will be ok?

[@06GOAT56943]

Yea that will work. that’s exactly what I use! Haha

[@06GOAT56943]

Yea that will work. that’s exactly what I use! Haha

[@scottmaz4063]

Invest in wrenches 3/4 5/8 7/16 3/8. 5/16.