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[clydem]

I just had the boiler run up to 214*  Luckily I added a fill line in the basement last summer (crisis averted for now). I wound up after adding water, throwing a shovel full of snow  into the firebox.  It seems to be acting normal for now.

The only thing I can think of is 30+ mph winds sucked air past the damper & over fired the unit.  The  door gasket is new in Oct the damper was replaced last year.

Any suggestions?

[silver star]

I had a boil over due to a gasket issue, which was resolved.  Rather than the wind getting past the gasket, could it have been coming through the damper?   flap not completely closes and only high speed winds are making an issue?

Only other thing I can think of aside from gasket seal.

[straincm]

Why would you throw moisture (snow) into the firebox? I know boiling over isn't ideal, but throwing water into a highly acidic environment cannot be good for the steel. I've accidentally left the door unlatched on my 6048 and when I noticed the temperature was high, I just turned on the blower on the furnace to pull out as much heat as I could.

[clydem]

Thanks for the suggestions,  Good point about throwing snow in not being good.  I did notice the bottom edge where the boiler meets the door gasket looks thinner than the top & sides. I'll have to do something about that in the spring.  I'm just glad it didn't happen while I was asleep.

I am glad I have the X-300 set up to email me when there is high or low temps.  Luckily I was at my computer and the X-300 window popped up and warned me of the high temp.   
Thanks again
Clyde

[fireboss]

Some thing may have gotten stuck in the damper! Like a branch or a twig. Next time don't panic ,don't ever put snow or water  inside the fire box ! Just pull the fuse and go in the house and turn all the t stats all the way up to draw the heat out ! As long as there is water in it it doesn't really hurt anything ! The damage occurs when all the water boils out

[mlappin]

I haven’t had any issues with my G Series overheating yet, happened once or twice with my old one. I think I’m going to add another aqua stat someday and have it set for 195-200 degrees and have that activate the snowmelt, makes a heck of a heatsink at first starting.

Old one just basically needed to spray everything down with WD40 or PBlaster and it didn’t happen again.

[Pointblank]

Check the damper over good for creosote build up and make sure its seating good and tight against the door. I'd also give the solenoid on the damper a shot of wd40 and work it in good, sometimes they can stick open.
Also, give a good look over where the metal is getting thin where the door seats against the boiler. Make sure its not deteriorated to the point its letting air in

[coolidge]

I thought I read on here or maybe someone told me, they have something to put in front of there 5036 for a wind break,when the wind is blowing due to a boil over.

[patvetzal]

Don't see where a bit of water is going to do much harm. We are throwing ice covered maple blocks into our firebox every day. The fire dies down for a while then flames back up.
The other day we had cut a couple of trees overhanging the driveway and were tossing the twigs and sticks into the firebox when we noticed steam. It was a warm day with little heat load but once we closed the door things quieted down pretty quick. A cup of water makes a lot of steam.

[aarmga]

Just not something that should be done if it can be avoided.  I'm sure it isn't going to spontaneously combust but I'm also sure it's not "good" either.  I don't run ethanol in my chainsaws for this very reason. It isn't going to destroy the saw tomorrow but it may impact its lifespan.