Boiler Exhaust Problems?

Hello,

I have to park my 90 at the top of the drive, which is 'nicely' positioned right next to our boiler exhaust for the central heating system. There is about one meter between the boiler exhaust and my 90, and it's parked in such a way that the exhaust is parallel to my fuel filler cap (although the vent is a bit higher up on the wall). It does condensate inside the cab, and I can see condensation forming on the body panels on a cold night. Will the hot gas being vented from the boiler exhaust cause condensation to form in my fuel tank / fuel lines? Also, is there anything in the exhaust gas that will aid the rusting of the steel chassis or corrosion of the aluminium? I'd rather it wasn't parked there, but it's the safest place at night.

Just curious
Cheers

-Pos

can ya not fit a diffuser to the outlet and angle it away from the landy?

easily solved......... move the boiler

The boiler exhaust condensate is mildly acidic. About the same strength as tomato juice.
It contains both nitric and carbonic acids which are a by-product of burning natural gas.

I guess over time it will speed up corrosion. You can see some evidence of the corrosive properties by looking at some of the after market boiler cowls fitted to redirect the exhaust flume.

sell the house

Thanks for the replies. I'll see if I can shut off the front side of the vent so that the fumes can only exit up, down, left and right, as opposed to straight forwards as well No doubt my fuel tank has two gallons of water sitting in it that has built up through condensation over the last three years

-Pos

Hi, i actually work as a plumbing trainer at a technical college so this is my line of work. You can buy an extension for the flue pipe sticking out of the wall which will redirect the flue gases up and exit at a higher level. Find out what boiler it is and pop down the plumbers merchant to pick one up, they're no that expensive and easy to fit. I also dont think it will affect your fuel at all, they dont generate much heat either.

Terra Dog said:

Hi, i actually work as a plumbing trainer at a technical college so this is my line of work. You can buy an extension for the flue pipe sticking out of the wall which will redirect the flue gases up and exit at a higher level. Find out what boiler it is and pop down the plumbers merchant to pick one up, they're no that expensive and easy to fit. I also dont think it will affect your fuel at all, they dont generate much heat either.

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Thanks for the info It's a baxi boiler, I know that. I don't think my Mum (or Dad) would appreciate a flu running half way up the wall! I'll just blank the front off and it should be alright, it will then disperse away from my 90

-Pos

There will be more condensation in your fuel tank on a cold day than some boiler exhaust steam. Unless you don't have a fuel cap and the exhaust is going directly into it.

For every drop of fuel you use obviously the space is filled with air, a lot of the time in the UK it is going to be damp, so moisture will be in the air, this will (much like the roof of the 90 on a cold day) cause the tank top to be covered in water. It will fall into the fuel, any that gets drawn into the fuel system should be caught in the bottom of the fuel filter (thats why there is the little drain). Best way to keep the tank water free is to keep it full.

discomania said:

There will be more condensation in your fuel tank on a cold day than some boiler exhaust steam. Unless you don't have a fuel cap and the exhaust is going directly into it.

For every drop of fuel you use obviously the space is filled with air, a lot of the time in the UK it is going to be damp, so moisture will be in the air, this will (much like the roof of the 90 on a cold day) cause the tank top to be covered in water. It will fall into the fuel, any that gets drawn into the fuel system should be caught in the bottom of the fuel filter (thats why there is the little drain). Best way to keep the tank water free is to keep it full.

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That's sound advice, thanks for the tip . I drained off the fuel filter the other day, there was a small amount of water there but nothing like a thimble full.

-Pos

as a boring side note, it is illegal to change the flue on a boiler unless you are gas safe (corgi) registered. a cowl would solve everything mind, but re routing the pipe could cause problems imo

steve bain said:

as a boring side note, it is illegal to change the flue on a boiler unless you are gas safe (corgi) registered. a cowl would solve everything mind, but re routing the pipe could cause problems imo

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correct, its the gas safe register these days corgi not the official bods any longer, just switch the boiler off when the landy is parked there simples.........

pos pm

I fixed the problem today, I just screwed a sheet of steel over the front of the grill. The exhaust fumes can no longer come straight out towards my landy, but they can exit the entire 360 degrees of the rest of the vent cover. It should be alright As for 'Gas Safe', well British Gas made a nice safe job of leaving the boiler fuse box and switch half hanging off the back plate with live wires exposed, and we're covered for electrics with them too as far as I know. My dad wired that up and did it properly, non of us qualified for anything gas or electric wise. We know that we've done a better job than the bloke from British Gas mind!

-Pos

didnt say british gas any good just said were now registered to GSR coul write a book on bgas cock ups

If it is one of the latest Baxi Condensing Combi or system boiler a 45 degree angle is available for the flue outlet which is relatively cheap . Also a complete plume kit is available that will direct the products to a more acceptable position . The official line is only modifications approved and documented by the manufacturer may be carried out . A diy modification to a gas burning appliance is classed as "ad-hoc" and is in theory a criminal offense. This is my line of work and the damage products can do is really alarming , as stated earlier the raw condensation is mildly acidic but it will eat through cast iron/ aluminum given enough time . You really dont want your LR in its path