Used boiler questions

I've been looking at used boilers to purchase and put in service in my home. My biggest concern for buying something like this used, aside from parts availability, is my lack of knowledge. I can deal with the electric controls and plumbing easily enough. How do I know if the boiler will hold water and if it doesn't is something like that repairable? I saw a used EFM D520 with the oil burner option. I know those parts are available but if the boiler is cracked did I just buy a nice big pile of scrap metal? I also came across an Eshland boiler and a Van Wert. I think Eshland was the predecessor to AHS and Van Wert is out of business. Are there aftermarket parts suppliers for coal boilers?

billw wrote:How do I know if the boiler will hold water and if it doesn't is something like that repairable? I saw a used EFM D520 with the oil burner option. I know those parts are available but if the boiler is cracked did I just buy a nice big pile of scrap metal? I also came across an Eshland boiler and a Van Wert. I think Eshland was the predecessor to AHS and Van Wert is out of business. Are there aftermarket parts suppliers for coal boilers?

EFM and AHS are still in business, the latter, I believe can service the Eshlands. The leader has a Van Wert that has been going about a hundred years, so they either don't break or can be fixed. You have a better chance of winning Powerball than finding a cracked boiler of the brands that you mention. No matter what is wrong with them, they are repairable. Parts can be purchased, made or modified.
I think the only way you could get an EFM to leak would be to drill a hole in it.

The usual reason they are scrapped is "the new owners don't want them."

If the efm boiler has the oil burner option, it is less than 30 years old. About the only place you would find rust on these is at the coil gasket area, from a leaking gasket. Patch plates are available to easily repair this damage.