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Post by heronsgate on Jul 10, 2014 15:47:08 GMT
Hi, maybe somebody has a better idea of probable causes and cures regarding a priming problem a club member has with his traction engine. Engine is some eights old now, boiler built by a well known maker and properly certificated. When running at working pressure everything is fine, water level is maintained and engine performs very well. Recently, at a small rally, he had need to open his blower while on the move to try and recover some lost boiler pressure, almost at once the boiler appeared to prime fairly violently. On closing the blower the priming stopped. This happened several times during his afternoon running and apart from the showers he was given it caused him some concern. This effect happened even when standing still ie, engine running in neutral, blower opened, priming took place, blower shut priming stopped, so his view was it was not caused by often bumpy grassland causing the water to jump about in the boiler.
His model is a three inch Marshal and although at times has been run hard it is in generally good condition. His water always has water treatment added and inspection has shown very little scale etc. Any ideas would be welcomed on this matter, by the way the reason I am placing this thread is because he does not have the facilities to run it himself. Thanks in advance. Stan.
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pault
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,496
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Post by pault on Jul 10, 2014 16:21:30 GMT
Where is the blower valve and where does it get its steam from? does it happen when the engine is not running, ie its water coming through the blower rather than priming in the true sense of the word?
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Post by heronsgate on Jul 10, 2014 16:55:41 GMT
Apparently the steam is drawn from the boiler side of the cylinder supply. INvestigations to date have not really established if the water is coming from the blower or exhaust. Stan.
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Post by heronsgate on Jul 10, 2014 16:57:39 GMT
Sorry, ththis effect occurs with engine running, either driving or just sitting there running free. Stan
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Post by marshall5 on Jul 10, 2014 18:07:48 GMT
Not sure why it only "primes" when the blower is on but my 4" Burrell starts to prime when the water treatment gets a bit too concentrated. If you think about it you add 12ml (or what ever it is) with every tankfull then boil off the water leaving the treatment behind and the next tankfull concentrates it further. I then avoid adding treatment for the next tenderful and run with the glass a bit less full until it settles. Obviously if you blow down after each run this doesn't happen. Most, if not all, of the treatments contain an anti-foaming agent but they only seem to work up to a point. Hope this helps. Ray
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Post by albert on Jul 10, 2014 18:28:22 GMT
Hello,
I put 10cc of treatment directly in the boiler every weekend, I have found this amount sufficient. I blow down the boiler about every 6th weekend, but if I have a problem I blow down at least a full glass of water through several blow down valves.
A really good wash out is carried out at the end of every season.
Albert
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Post by heronsgate on Jul 10, 2014 19:03:44 GMT
Thanks on behalf of our member for those observations. I will pass on the thoughts particulalrly those about the water treatment. Without any predudice towards him I have wondered sometimes if he has been over generous with this additional treatment. Certainly gives rise to some interesting ideas. Thanks again Stan.
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Post by fostergp6nhp on Jul 10, 2014 19:05:01 GMT
I feel that it could be down to too much treatment, try plain water and blow down a few glassfuls of water, or just drain the boiler and wash it out then steam with plain water and see if it makes any difference.
A friend of mine runs the same water treatment in his 4" Ruston proctor as I now do in my 4" Foster, his Ruston was priming and mine is fine, changing to plain water and about 4 glassful blowdowns cured it, a washout was not an option as we were at a rally.
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Post by albert on Jul 11, 2014 7:59:48 GMT
Hello,
If you blow down the gauge glass and it should come up brown,it should then clear after about 10 seconds,if not you have too much treatment in the boiler.
Albert
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Post by heronsgate on Jul 11, 2014 16:34:42 GMT
Hi everyone that has responded to my original question. To save any further rambling on this topic can I just say that after a long telephone call with this guy yesterday it transpired that he first had problems at a rally earlier this season. He clearly recalls he probably got carried away with the amount of water treatment he mixed in his water carrier prior to running it into his bunker tank. His co-operator also recalls saying he thought it was a 'bit' strong. Running following this bad start did produce the first signs of the problem. After speaking with him last evening (Thursday) he said he would connect a garden hose to his boiler and run it through for a couple of hours then refill and fire it up. I have not as yet heard anything since! Anyone interested may well read a final chapter to this saga come Sunday evening after we have met up at our club. many thanks again for your interest. Stan.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2014 21:49:14 GMT
"To save any further rambling on this topic ----------- " Rambling ??...Remember this guy ?? >>>>>>>>>> rambling Sid Rumpo >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> www.youtube.com/watch?v=013O6kAa3Yg |
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