To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Moaning boiler

Sumboodie

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 20, 2021
Messages
10,880
Location
AK
It's been doing it since last winter, but getting worse now.

Something I can fix with cleaning, adjusting, etc? Sorry the video has noisy background. I had the hot water on at the sink to get the boiler to fire and for some reason my phone honed in on that.

 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
OP
S

Sumboodie

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 20, 2021
Messages
10,880
Location
AK
I'm not sure what that noise is. Call the tech line.
Chinese company i think. VRC. Was installed as part of the sale, old one failed, was ~10 yrs old.

I can have the outfit that installed it come, but trying to avoid spending $500 if it's something I can fix.
 

chinboys

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 20, 2011
Messages
434
Is this a combi dhw and hydronic boiler? Might be the electric valve that diverts boiler water to the dhw side from the hydronic side.
I would open the cover of the boiler and try to find the source of this noise especially if it is initiated by the use of the dhw side.
 
OP
S

Sumboodie

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 20, 2021
Messages
10,880
Location
AK
Is this a combi dhw and hydronic boiler? Might be the electric valve that diverts boiler water to the dhw side from the hydronic side.
I would open the cover of the boiler and try to find the source of this noise especially if it is initiated by the use of the dhw side.
I was thinking that as well, but it does it anytime the boiler fires.

Kind of annoying since it's 5ft from the room the TV is in.
 

chinboys

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 20, 2011
Messages
434
I was thinking that as well, but it does it anytime the boiler fires.

Kind of annoying since it's 5ft from the room the TV is in
The good thing is the moaning is consistent with the boiler coming on.
The noise should be easily isolated then.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Jackfre

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 26, 2010
Messages
4,422
Location
N CA
Check your vent system. Any icing on intake or exhaust? Show a pic of the termination area. As this is a retrofitted unit perhaps they muffed the vent.
 
OP
S

Sumboodie

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 20, 2021
Messages
10,880
Location
AK
Check your vent system. Any icing on intake or exhaust? Show a pic of the termination area. As this is a retrofitted unit perhaps they muffed the vent.
The exhaust and intake is 2" ABS that goes through the wall. Maybe 18" of pipe each.
 

HoosierBuddy

Well-known member
Joined
May 9, 2006
Messages
2,949
Location
Southern Indiana
I couldn't really hear the noise on your video, but I have a similar wall boiler that will make a moaning noise when it first fires.

Called the manufacturer's tech line and they said it was typical of a lean condition during ignition. Basically the flame is rapidly pulsing (maybe 60 HZ). So you hear that as a low tone rather than as a "Pop Pop Pop" you would if it were at 2 HZ. I adjusted it slightly richer and it got much better.

The real issue it pointed out was that to set up a boiler properly you need to have some flue analysis gauges that I don't have...and the factory set point was close, but too lean and needed adjustment.

It still makes the noise occasionally, although not as much. Boiler has been in service since 2006 and has been pretty consistent in this.
 

PWC Repair

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 27, 2012
Messages
3,205
Location
Arkansas
I had that car horn type noise in my water heater last year. I cycled and bled air from the system and it went away.
 
OP
S

Sumboodie

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 20, 2021
Messages
10,880
Location
AK
I couldn't really hear the noise on your video, but I have a similar wall boiler that will make a moaning noise when it first fires.

Called the manufacturer's tech line and they said it was typical of a lean condition during ignition. Basically the flame is rapidly pulsing (maybe 60 HZ). So you hear that as a low tone rather than as a "Pop Pop Pop" you would if it were at 2 HZ. I adjusted it slightly richer and it got much better.

The real issue it pointed out was that to set up a boiler properly you need to have some flue analysis gauges that I don't have...and the factory set point was close, but too lean and needed adjustment.

It still makes the noise occasionally, although not as much. Boiler has been in service since 2006 and has been pretty consistent in this.
Not sure why my phone picked up on the water running, it was barely audible in real life.

I videod something recently and it sounded like I was Fattie McGee with the wheezing when I was barely breathing
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom