What is this boiler noise? Is it dangerous?

scarletjim · 22 Oct 2020

In the last few days our boiler has started making a strange vibrating noise for about 10 seconds at a time every now and then (sometimes every few hours, sometimes more often). I’ve made a video – the vibrating noise begins on about 30 seconds:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13ImAIxBVR8VJZD31OYnQfX2zzkKZdpF2/view

Not being qualified or competent with such things, I’ve done nothing myself other than a). bleed the radiators, and b). check the external pipe for obstructions, and I most certainly won't be doing anything else.

I’m assuming I need a boiler engineer, but a few quick questions:

1. Is it dangerous and/or will it damage the boiler? In other words, while I’m waiting for the engineer, should I turn the boiler off or is it ok to keep on?

2. Should I ask just for a service, or a repair? Is it likely that the service will remedy the problem?

3. Any idea what might be the cause?

Thanks in anticipation.

terryplumb · 22 Oct 2020

Sounds like the fan ,is the noise apparent at the top of the boiler ?
Does the boiler shut down when the noise starts ,or just carry on working?
You need an engineer to visit to diagnose and rectify.

scarletjim · 22 Oct 2020

Yes, I would say it's nearer the top than the bottom. The boiler doesn't shut down though, it carries on working and is definitely heating the house (via underfloor heating). Well, it was for a few days - I've turned it off now.

If it is something like the fan or the water pump, will it be horrendously expensive to repair? What sort of cost am I looking at, does anyone have any idea what those types of problems cost, including labour?

ScottishGasMan · 22 Oct 2020

Its not a noisy fan, that sounds very much like baffling from the flame on low rate due to poor combustion. Its's unlikely to be immediately dangerous but potentially could be releasing quite bad levels of fumes to the flue outside. Unfortunately a DIY forum cant tell you if a boilers safe from a video, it will need an engineers visit for a "Repair". You cant take a knackered car to a garage for a service and expect them to fix it, and its no different for boilers.

It may be a simple adjustment to the gas/air mix or it may need stripped right down. You wont know till someone gets a good check over it and assesses the issues.

When did it last have a Service?

terryplumb · 22 Oct 2020

Fixed price repair would be your best option around 240 with BG ,more if in london. Not sure what Worcester would charge.

scarletjim · 23 Oct 2020

How do these fixed price repairs work though? What if they agree £240, but actually the whole thing needs replacing? What's to stop them from agreeing (say) £240, then coming out and fixing it if it's easy, or refunding my £240 if it's hard and they can't fix it easily - in which case in the first scenario I'm getting ripped off, and in the second scenario I'm back to square one and have wasted a few days having no boiler! Or am I misunderstanding how these fixed repairs work?

EDIT: Oh yes, and last service was 2 years ago. I forgot / never got round to it last year - but hopefully missing one year wouldn't necessarily cause a disaster... (?)

durhamplumber · 23 Oct 2020

scarletjim said:
How do these fixed price repairs work though? What if they agree £240, but actually the whole thing needs replacing? What's to stop them from agreeing (say) £240, then coming out and fixing it if it's easy, or refunding my £240 if it's hard and they can't fix it easily - in which case in the first scenario I'm getting ripped off, and in the second scenario I'm back to square one and have wasted a few days having no boiler! Or am I misunderstanding how these fixed repairs work?

EDIT: Oh yes, and last service was 2 years ago. I forgot / never got round to it last year - but hopefully missing one year wouldn't necessarily cause a disaster... (?)

Ask them before you pay.

durhamplumber · 23 Oct 2020

durhamplumber · 23 Oct 2020

scarletjim said:
What's to stop them from agreeing (say) £240, then coming out and fixing it if it's easy,

You cannot have it all ways...All fixes are easy when you know how,and have the parts.How would you be being ripped off?

imiller9 · 23 Oct 2020

BG website, fixed price repair has the terms and conditions there. Basically, engineer arrives, diagnoses fault and tells you the price range it fall into. If you agree, they will go ahead. If you choose not to go ahead, they charge the lowest tier.
Normally, most repairs fall into the middle tier unless it’s something big that requires boiler off of the wall, cylinder Etc.
Once engineer says middle tier, and nothing else is wrong, that is what you’ll be charged even if it goes over the two hours.

scarletjim · 23 Oct 2020

That's really helpful and reassuring info - thanks very much.

durhamplumber · 23 Oct 2020

scarletjim said:
That's really helpful and reassuring info - thanks very much.

BG Are twice the price of anyone else.And will probably condemn your boiler.

ianmcd · 23 Oct 2020

Get a WB fixed price repair, not a BG one they are just a rip off the WB one is very good value for money and they will definately sort it

CBW · 23 Oct 2020

Just out of interest, where does the flue terminate? Post a photo if at all possible, might guide us more.

scarletjim · 23 Oct 2020

Hmm, will look into BW fixed price repair. They also do a package with 12 months cover included after the repair (though you have to phone for that, which suggests it may be very expensive). EDIT: Oh no, just saw on the WB website that both repair and repair & cover deals are both for boilers under 10 years old only - mine is about 12/13 yo...

Here is a picture of the flue (or at least what I assume that means):

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13lDNvltk09NjSWWvvuJmQiRSiY0w7bJp/view

The boiler is directly on the other side of that wall, connected to the flue by a white horizontal plastic pipe. I can see that the rubber has perished around the top of the flue, but presumably that's purely aesthetic? It doesn't fit flush to the wall obviously anyway, so I can't see how it can be actually doing anything of any great use...

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What is this boiler noise? Is it dangerous?

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