Constant High Pitched Noise From Worcester 24i - UPDATE

[Mum29]

We have a Worcester combi boiler fitted on our central heating system.

We have had noises in the past which I wasnt happy about, they was sort of rattling noises within the boiler when it was turned on which settled after being on for a while. The plumber came to have a look and said there didnt seem to be anything wrong.

Anyhow, tonight, the central heating system has been on for a couple of hours and now and again I heard a screech which I thought was the battery low indicator on our smoke detector which it wasnt after the following happened. Then all of a sudden about fifteen minutes ago it is a constant high pitched sound , at first it sounded like a fax machine but now its one constant level.

We turned the heating off but the sound hasnt stopped even though the heating has.

The pressure gauge seemed to be okay (between one and two).

Please tell me what this is and that my boiler isnt about to explode.

 

[Mum29]

Its still going

My 2 year old is disturbing now, Ive had to shut his bedroom door completely.

Why does this have to happen at nearly 10pm. I called our plumber but got voicemail, hes a friend of my husbands and I thought I might have got through to him. I dont blame him for having his phone off though at this time.

 

[Mum29]

Just as some additional information ive remembered to put in, sorry to go on a bit im trying to think of as much as possible.

The boiler is around five years old. We had new radiators fitted and the new boiler back then, there is some old pipework that still remains though.

We have had a few air problems and have to bleed the radiators every now and again and have also mentioned that to the plumber too.

A month or two ago the pressure kept dropping and I informed the plumber who had a look and said he couldnt find anything wrong (no leaks) and that it could be an air problem causing something to kick in (to do with the overflow). It seemed to settle and other than the bit of rattling noise every now and again (once its been on for a while that stops) it seemed to be okay until this.

I HATE my boiler right now, its still screeching.

 

[superdupergasman]

Temp fix to stop the screaching - why not turn off at wall, either plug or fused spur.

Could be something wrong with the fan.

The fan on these boilers runs on to cool the system after it has been in use.

 

[Mum29]

Ive tried it and its just continued.

Thank you for the reply though.

 

[Mum29]

I think an hour and a half has passed now and its still not stopped. Its not even on and hasnt been for ages.

Should this stop after its completely cold as its just been on standby for ages?

Dumb question but, does the boiler have an electrical alarm in it somewhere for something?

 

[Corgigrouch]

Do you have a filling loop on the boiler or a little white plastic key to fill the heating system? and is there water coming from the pipe outside?

There is no electrical alarm and if the boiler is switched off at the wall then there should be no mechanical movement at all

 

[Mum29]

Is the filling loop the little tap thing to fill it with water and get the pressure up? If so yes.

As for water coming from outside, ill have a look now. Im not technically plumbing minded so I didnt think of that.

 

[Mum29]

Nope not from what I can see.

 

[Corgigrouch]

Yep, the filling loop is the flexible pipe with the tap on.. The only suggestion that I can make is that the tap is open slightly and causing the pressure in the heating to get a little too high and this could cause the pressure relief valve to resonate and screech, though I am a little puzzled that you say that the pressure gauge is normal..

 

[Corgigrouch]

Hmmm, that kinda blows my theory out of the water then.. The noise id defo coming from the boiler?

 

[Mum29]

As the heating is switched off the pressure is going back down to 1 (it goes up to 1.5 when on). Its still screeching/whistling. Its not running whatsoever.

I have tried weird ways to try and stop it like running cold water/not water. Flushing the toilet - I read that somewhere, thought I might try it lol.

Switching it off at the plug did nothing.

Surely it should stop soon. Nothings running and the pressure gauge is coming down.

Im worried about going to bed now in case something ruptures or something.

The noise id defo coming from the boiler?

Absolutley. Its in a cupboard of its own what the old style water tank heater used to be in.

Edited to add, its one smooth constant whistle/screech. There is no vary in pitches or stopping and starting.

 

[Mum29]

If the boiler is just on standby as I call it, no water is running, no heating is on apart from the pilot light.

Even though its still giving this high pitched constant whistle, nothing bad is gonna happen is it?

Im worried whatever saftey valves or whatever is in there has failed or something. Id really like this to wait until morning, my husband is already mad because ive gone straight into worry mode , only because our sons room faces the boiler cupboard.

 

[Gasguru]

The boiler does not have a pilot light...if the boiler is turned off at the mains there should be no flames visible.

 

[Mum29]

Oh right.

So if I turn it off at the plug and the orange light goes out everything else is off? Its a gas boiler so im assuming it was like other gas water systems.

Im having a hard time understanding about how boilers work and the sound is driving me crazy now lol.

aaand, my son has woke up.

Got to go, will check back once hes settled.