Alpha 240E with Alpha Combimax 350 problem

[littlegus]

hello all, this is my first post and wonder if anyone can help with the above combi boiler problem. The boiler itself seems to work as it should ie hot water and radiators work OK, but after you turn off the hot water tap the boiler makes a rumbling noise for about 20 seconds which then stops. if you are close to the boiler its not very load but upstairs the noise is much louder. The more hot water you draw the longer the noise will last in 20 second cycles.

Ive also noticed that there is a steady drip from the outside pressure release pipe after the hot water has been on and that Ive had to top the system up to 1 bar about every 3 weeks. The pressure on the pressure dial never goes up into the red zone when water has been drawn or the radiators are on.

The only work that has been done on the boiler was a new diverter valve about 6 months ago, cost me a packet and the plumber soaked the carpet below the boiler. I dont think the noise was happening before then but then we had only been in the house a few months and still getting used to everything.

Could anyone please help me with this problem or know someone local to me who could fix the problem for us?

Gus

 

[gas4you]

There should not be any dripping from prv pipe. Does boiler only make rumbling noise when pressure is low?

 

[littlegus]

Hi, thanks for you reply. I dont think the noise is any worse when the pressure is lower. Ive probably topped the system up every 3-4 weeks. If you run a hot water tap the noise starts after you close the tap. it last for about 20 seconds then stops then repeats again. If a lot of hot water is drawn it will continue being noisey for a few minutes.

Any ideas on this please?

 

[littlegus]

Can anyone help please?

 

[littlegus]

Once more, anyone?

 

[ChrisR]

WOUld seem that the noise is while the internal water store (35litres) is reheating. Pump is running and the burner is on. "Rumble" is hard to pin down though!

 

[littlegus]

Thanks for your reply Chris. What would be the possibilities?
I dont seem to have a lot of luck with plumbers. Someone was supposed to come around this afternoon and never showed up. Not even a call to say he couldnt make it. perhaps I should call British gas?

 

[littlegus]

Why? When the water store is reheating the flames, viewed through the viewer, get higher at the exact time the droning noise starts?

Anyone have any idea or have come across this problem before?

 

[littlegus]

As above peeps

 

[gas4you]

See how much Alpha would charge for a fixed price repair? Most manufacturers offer this. I think what ever it is needs professional TLC

 

[lakhbir]

hi

I'm having exactly the same problem - did you ever manage to sort it out. A plumber came out the other day and hedged his bets by saying that it might be the fan (have changed it but still rumbling), the gas valve or circulation pump

lak

 

[Agile]

Always better to call a boiler engineer!

Sounds as if you called a plumber to diagnose the fault free so that you could then change the part ?

But as that did not fix the problem you have become unstuck.

A boiler engineer will diagnose the problem and fix it but you will have to pay for his services!

Tony

 

[lakhbir]

I'm afraid you have misunderstood me. Apologies for using the term plumber when i should have said a boiler specialist. He came as part of a service agreement (which I paid him for) and to have him look at the problem. He serviced the boiler and has subsequently fitted the fan which I have acquired for him at his request but the problem persists.

 

[Agile]

He serviced the boiler and has subsequently fitted the fan which I have acquired for him at his request but the problem persists.

Most boiler engineers would expect to provide the replacement part as we have established supply sources.

If he has wrongly diagnosed the fault then you should not have to pay for his "mistake" or might it be "his incompetence" ?

Its very easy to diagnose if a fan is causing a noise using a mechanical stethoscope.

I suspect he may not be as much of an expert as you may think.

You should not be paying him for a substandard service!

Tony