Fires in Auger Pipe EFM 520

cgrattan · Post by **cgrattan** » Fri. Nov. 18, 2016 7:08 pm

I was here last year for rookie reasons, and here I am again... Waking up to house full of smoke every day! Coal is burning back the auger pipe and the smell is killing us! And probably dangerous? I have been adjusting the feed/air for weeks now and no matter what I do, it's still burning back the auger! I'm at the the point the ash isn't even fully burnt but still burning back the pipe... What is happening?! Please help!

SWPaDon · Post by **SWPaDon** » Fri. Nov. 18, 2016 7:25 pm

I hope you have carbon monoxide detectors. Those fumes WILL kill you and your family.

cgrattan · Post by **cgrattan** » Fri. Nov. 18, 2016 7:28 pm

Yes we do for sure! But, have only gone off for smoke once so far... What in the world is different this year? I cleaned everything as usual... Why is it burning back the pipe? Driving me crazy!

Post by **Rob R.** » Fri. Nov. 18, 2016 7:38 pm

You need to shut it down. Something is clearly wrong. Air is either blowing down through the auger, or being drawn up through it.

Auger fires are usually due to one or more of the following:

1. Really messed up feed, air, and/or draft settings.
2. The air chamber, grates, or holes in auger pipe are clogged with fines.
3. The coal is REALLY bad.

cgrattan · Post by **cgrattan** » Fri. Nov. 18, 2016 7:48 pm

I have it down to 5 feed 3.5 air... And the pipe is still hot.... When it happens, I flush out the hot coal... Wait. And light again. But so far, I can't get a handle on it. I am lost...

Scottscoaled · Post by **Scottscoaled** » Fri. Nov. 18, 2016 7:53 pm

Dump the fire and inspect the plates. See if they are clogged or warped real bad. Make sure the fines are dumping out of the bottom cleanout and that it seals tight when the lever is closed. It sounds like you have a broken plate or two.

cgrattan · Post by **cgrattan** » Fri. Nov. 18, 2016 8:09 pm

Thank you... Something I would have never known to do...

Post by **Rob R.** » Fri. Nov. 18, 2016 8:57 pm

It has been a year since you posted about the same problem. Did you run the EFM last winter?

cgrattan · Post by **cgrattan** » Fri. Nov. 18, 2016 9:06 pm

Yes... I guess I found a sweet spot, then adjusted for summer and DHW... No issues, and now I went back and tried to adjust, but at 6/6 just seemed too much for these mid-range Temps... So I tried to get it right for late fall, and no matter what I use, seems nothing is working where I have all ash/no auger burn. Mad at myself for not figuring it out, thought there might be anither factor... This thing is complex and I am certain I don't fully understand it.

CoalHeat · Post by **CoalHeat** » Fri. Nov. 18, 2016 9:36 pm

Shut it down until you find the issue.

How's the draft to the boiler? Smoke pipes/boiler clean inside? How about the chimney-no bird's nests or expired raccoons inside?

There should be negative pressure in the firebox when it's running. It there is positive pressure then the fire and fumes are gonna start creeping up the feed auger.

What about make up air? Is your house modern and very tightly sealed? If you open a window near the boiler does the issue resolve?

cgrattan · Post by **cgrattan** » Fri. Nov. 18, 2016 9:48 pm

I just cleaned everything out this past weekend. Flu is clear as well... How do I know the pressure?

cgrattan · Post by **cgrattan** » Fri. Nov. 18, 2016 9:51 pm

Also, no it was built in 1906...but you gave me some insight... My grandparents had the cellar foam sealed to keep the snakes out a couple years ago... Could this have changed the make up of the house's air flow overall?

CoalHeat · Post by **CoalHeat** » Fri. Nov. 18, 2016 10:01 pm

You need a manometer:
Manometer Install

Sealing the house up could make a difference.

Post by **Rob R.** » Sat. Nov. 19, 2016 6:30 am

You really need to get someone familiar with EFM's to look at your boiler.

thegreatone · Post by **thegreatone** » Sat. Nov. 19, 2016 6:47 am

Rob R. wrote:You really need to get someone familiar with EFM's to look at your boiler.

x2 There's no way I would run that until someone qualified took a look at it. Shut it down and call a service man. In this situation your worst case isn't a cold house it's death.