PM research whistle priming

• PM research whistle priming
  Posted by Belugawhaleman on 16 May, 2020 17:26
• I recently installed a PMR whistle on my vertical boiler. I had no problems the first run, it sprayed a little wet steam
  at first, but then it whistled properly. Today, however, all it would do is spray water all over the place. I installed the
  whistle as I have seen it installed on other PMR vertical boilers, so I don't think that's the problem. After I drained my
  Boiler today the remaining water was a little "milky" looking. Could cleaning the boiler with vinegar solve my whistle-priming problems? I haven't done this for a while and I have never seen my water look milky before. Is this contamination making my boiler foam inside? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
  
  Thanks;
  
  
  Paul
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• #1 Reply
  Posted by Woe is me on 16 May, 2020 17:47
• Hey Paul, I've seen water get milky from a little oil mixed in it. I suppose a new boiler could have impurities inside from manufacturing
  that didn't get flushed out properly, like flux.
  Are you using distilled water or municipal tap water? Sometimes a city water works has to dump in chemicals with a chlorine base.
  First thing I would try is just some good old dish soap and water, about a third full and shaken, not stirred, then rinsed well.
  That's the best I got for you bud.
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• #2 Reply
  Posted by Belugawhaleman on 16 May, 2020 19:45
• Thanks
  I use tap water never had problems with it. It is possible that oil might have been drawn from the lubricator or engine when
  the boiler cooled down it the vacuum might have drawn some in and last time I forgot to close the steam valve. I will wash out the boiler and then do a vinegar treatment then see what's up.
  
  Thanks;
  Paul.
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• #3 Reply
  Posted by St Paul Steam on 16 May, 2020 19:56
• was this the one you nickel plated ? many PMR whistles I have had Nickle plated needed adjustments afterword to get it back in pitch.
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• #4 Reply
  Posted by Belugawhaleman on 16 May, 2020 20:12
• Yes it was the one I plated. The problem is not the pitch but the spraying. I'll get an occasional whistle that sounds
  ok but mostly I get a fountain of wet steam spraying upward. When this clears I get a normal whistle tone. I'll
  Try readjusting .
  
  
  Thanks;
  
  
  Paul
• 
  
• #5 Reply
  Posted by Belugawhaleman on 16 May, 2020 20:22
• Come to think of it...... I had a similar problem with a steam locomotive I made. It initially had a steam globe valve
  that had a hole for the needle valve seat that was 1/8". The engine would prime badly when I opened this valve . I later
  Remade a globe valve with a 1/16"needle valve seat and the problem was solved. I noticed today that if I opened the
  whistle valve a very small amount the whistle worked better. Is my boiler reacting to the sudden pressure drop by boiling over or ebullation? (Not sure of spelling)
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