C/Heating boiler problem

[motownmartin]

The other day my boiler started making weird vibrating type sounds, it only happens when its starting from cold, e.g. been off all night then starts in the morning, whilst the sounds are going on the burner stops and starts, then after a few minutes the sounds disappear.

My thoughts are that there is an airlock, but why does it clear then re-appear, anybody have any thoughts.

TIA

 

[ChrisD]

First, this reply is based on personal experience rather than trade knowledge, and so take it for what its worth!
I assume you have an oil system. Such systems have only 3 primary components - a pump to supply the oil to the nozzle, an ignition system to provide the spark and a regulation system which comprises a photocell by which means the fuel flow is adjusted.
First check the condition of the ignitors and nozzle. They should be clean and certainly not sooted up. Secondly, there should be a ready supply of fuel. If you are not getting the fuel the system will run roughly or not at all. Normal blockage points are the initial filter, normally at the stopcock at the outflow point of your storage tank. There is also a paper filter normally located just in front of the pump, very similar in looks and use to the oil filter in your car. The former can be cleaned and replaced, the latter requires a new filter element. If you have fuel and ignition next check the photocell, This pulls out of the burner assembly. In reality its a light sensitive resistor (LDR) which detects the flame. The is an electrical resistor whose value changes by the amount of light that it present. If this is dirty, the system suspects there is no ignition and turns off the fuel supply. They are only about £7 to replace. However, the cut off and restarting cycle may well be the vibration/banging you are experiencing. Hope this helps, Chris

 

[motownmartin]

Thanks for the reply Chris, it is a gas fired condensation boiler, all I did yesterday was to drain the condensation trap and this morning had no undue noises, just had the stopping and starting of the burner but maybe thats normal.

 

[RogerS]

If you continue to have problems then I recommend askthetrades.co.uk

 

[motownmartin]

Thanks Roger

 

[gasmansteve]

Thanks for the reply Chris, it is a gas fired condensation boiler, all I did yesterday was to drain the condensation trap and this morning had no undue noises, just had the stopping and starting of the burner but maybe thats normal.

Hi Martin
How come you had to manually drain the condensation trap? They should be piped to a drain, if it is that would suggest a blockage in the drain pipe
Steve

 

[motownmartin]

Thanks for the reply Chris, it is a gas fired condensation boiler, all I did yesterday was to drain the condensation trap and this morning had no undue noises, just had the stopping and starting of the burner but maybe thats normal.

Hi Martin
How come you had to manually drain the condensation trap? They should be piped to a drain, if it is that would suggest a blockage in the drain pipe
Steve

Hi Steve, would this cause the symptoms that I have been experiencing.

I drained it just out of curiosity.

 

[gasmansteve]

It could because if the condensate pipe gets blocked then the boiler will shut off for safety but if the pipe is partially blocked then the boiler can keep cycling on and off as the condensate slowly drains away. There are other factors as well such as the fan in the flue might be getting clogged up causing the boiler to cycle on and off too best to get it checked really. The beauty(?) of modern gas boilers is that if anything is not right they will fail safe rather than carry on.
Steve

 

[motownmartin]

It could because if the condensate pipe gets blocked then the boiler will shut off for safety but if the pipe is partially blocked then the boiler can keep cycling on and off as the condensate slowly drains away. There are other factors as well such as the fan in the flue might be getting clogged up causing the boiler to cycle on and off too best to get it checked really. The beauty(?) of modern gas boilers is that if anything is not right they will fail safe rather than carry on.
Steve

Thanks Steve, I had trouble with the fan in my old boiler, I had to oil it now and again.

I doubt this boiler has a problem with the fan as its only 2 Years old and it sounds fine, i'll investigate the condenstate pipe.

 

[motownmartin]

If you continue to have problems then I recommend askthetrades.co.uk

Went there Roger, unfortunately there was no response.

No worries, I stripped the boiler down cleaned everything, espeicially the burner probe (flame detection electrode) and electrical connectors, and Bob's your uncle.

Fingers crossed.

 

[RogerS]

If you continue to have problems then I recommend askthetrades.co.uk

Went there Roger, unfortunately there was no response.

......

That was surprising. Mind you, the forum is farly small and it tends to be the same (excellent) people who give good advice. Maybe you struck a bad time...it happens. I saw your post and did wonder a bit myself about the lack of response.

 

[motownmartin]

If you continue to have problems then I recommend askthetrades.co.uk

Went there Roger, unfortunately there was no response.

......

That was surprising. Mind you, the forum is farly small and it tends to be the same (excellent) people who give good advice. Maybe you struck a bad time...it happens. I saw your post and did wonder a bit myself about the lack of response.

It looks like a handy forum though Roger, I shan't hesitate to use it again.