Tubes...leaking

This forum is dedicated to the Live Steam Hobbyist Community.

Moderators: cbrew, Harold_V

Post Reply
Emfinger
Posts: 229
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2019 3:30 pm
Location: Yucca Valley, CA

Tubes...leaking

Post by Emfinger »

Well guys (and gals) I used a 12 gauge shot gun ramrod and brass brush to remove the black stuff in the tubes.

Seemed like a good idea, the tubes were full of crap.

That may be the end of my new hobby several leaking tubes Last March boiler test passed at 165 pounds. But today it failed.

Now what?....New boiler? I'm just sick !

Tom
jkimberln
Posts: 133
Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:32 am
Location: Richmond, California

Re: Tubes...leaking

Post by jkimberln »

You have to give us some more details. Is this a copper or steel boiler? What are the tubes made of and what ID/OD? How are the tubes held in the boiler - rolled, welded, brazed? How many tubes?

If you want to repair the boiler, assuming it can be done, you will have to take it off the chassis so you can work on it easily. You also need to look inside the boiler to see if it is worth repairing. Check the mud ring for junk. Check the stays to see if they are eroded away too far and need replacing as well. I'd guess we need even more details but this is a start.
Marty_Knox
Posts: 1724
Joined: Thu Jan 09, 2003 6:50 pm
Location: Michigan, USA

Re: Tubes...leaking

Post by Marty_Knox »

Before you do anything else fill the boiler with water and let it sit overnight.
User avatar
Bill Shields
Posts: 10459
Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:57 am
Location: 39.367, -75.765
Contact:

Re: Tubes...leaking

Post by Bill Shields »

Ypu are not the first person to face this and will not be the last.

Filling with water and letting sit will hurt nothing.

If you have a leaking tube then yes...the boiler needs to come off.

How it is fixed depends on many things. Believe it or not I have found that sawing through the barrel just in front of the firebox is often the most efficient way to get there.

It can always be welded up after the tubes are removed.

Most of all.. do not panic
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
KarlKobel
Posts: 161
Joined: Sun Mar 31, 2013 9:53 pm

Re: Tubes...leaking

Post by KarlKobel »

> If you have a leaking tube then yes...the boiler needs to come off.

I disagree, If the tubes are rolled in - try re-rolling them while the boiler is still on the loco.

Karl
User avatar
Bill Shields
Posts: 10459
Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:57 am
Location: 39.367, -75.765
Contact:

Re: Tubes...leaking

Post by Bill Shields »

Depends on where the leak is.

This is why fill with water and wait and see if the water is running out the ID of the tube or around the sheet.

Doubtful that an ID cleaning with a brush will open a leak between tubes and sheet that can be fixed with rolling..but time will tell.

As previously asked..copper or steel tubes?
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
User avatar
Steamer Al
Posts: 109
Joined: Tue May 26, 2020 3:17 am
Location: Comox, BC

Re: Tubes...leaking

Post by Steamer Al »

So for us newbies, is brushing your tubes out with a gun cleaning brush a no-no? Why would this have caused a tube leak?

Alex
Emfinger
Posts: 229
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2019 3:30 pm
Location: Yucca Valley, CA

Re: Tubes...leaking

Post by Emfinger »

Marty_Knox wrote: Tue Jan 12, 2021 6:06 pm Before you do anything else fill the boiler with water and let it sit overnight.
Why?
Emfinger
Posts: 229
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2019 3:30 pm
Location: Yucca Valley, CA

Re: Tubes...leaking

Post by Emfinger »

KarlKobel wrote: Tue Jan 12, 2021 8:54 pm > If you have a leaking tube then yes...the boiler needs to come off.

I disagree, If the tubes are rolled in - try re-rolling them while the boiler is still on the loco.

Karl
Re-rolling? I'm in, how do I do this?
Thanks
Tom
User avatar
Bill Shields
Posts: 10459
Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:57 am
Location: 39.367, -75.765
Contact:

Re: Tubes...leaking

Post by Bill Shields »

Marty...more of a cool off and think logically period than anything else..do not panic.. count to 10...work the problem logically.

Do not jump in and panic.. reroll...do things that do not make good tech sense when emotional over the occurrence of a leak.

As most of us know from experience it is not if a leak but when.
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
User avatar
Bill Shields
Posts: 10459
Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:57 am
Location: 39.367, -75.765
Contact:

Re: Tubes...leaking

Post by Bill Shields »

Alex...

Leak most likely not caused by brushing...but FOUND by cleaning the crud out and allowing the leak to be seen.

Small sweeps can accumulate crud that passes through the flue while running...masking the problem. .not causing the problem.

This is why hydrotests exist.
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
User avatar
Steamer Al
Posts: 109
Joined: Tue May 26, 2020 3:17 am
Location: Comox, BC

Re: Tubes...leaking

Post by Steamer Al »

Bill Shields wrote: Tue Jan 12, 2021 9:38 pm Alex...

Leak most likely not caused by brushing...but FOUND by cleaning the crud out and allowing the leak to be seen.

Small sweeps can accumulate crud that passes through the flue while running...masking the problem. .not causing the problem.

This is why hydrotests exist.
Ah I see, Thanks Bill!
Post Reply