LOUD WHISTLING NOISE FROM BOILER/VENT

Joined
1 Dec 2005
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
Country
United Kingdom
I have a Gloworm condensing boiler, 1 year old.

Recent problems has resulted in a new pump fitted in the last 3 months and a powerflush due to sludge in system and loud banging etc. Apparently boiler installer didn't flush out system correctly.

Powerflush done this week and heating much improved. However when boiler first turned on, there is an almighty loud whistling sound, like a kettle whistle. This lasts for 5 minutes or so or until I turn boiler off and then on again. Noise outside from flue is even louder, so guess it has something to do with force of steam being pushed out of flue. Once whistling stops, it does not come back until boiler turned off and re started at another time.

Pump was left on high, level 3, and I have turned this down to 2 so do not know if this will have anything to do with it.

Any help appreciated.
 
Sponsored Links
could combustion ratio out muck in the heat/exch. or burner if its only 1 year old still under second yeear warranty call glow-worm out.
 
Thanks Gasgeezer

British Gas have looked at and are convinced it is not the heat exchanger. Engineer said he had never heard the noise before and was going to contact Gloworm to ask if they have had this problem before. He said it was possible the boiler was trying to take the heat too quickly and turned the pump down to 1. Hasn't made any difference to the noise.
 
The heat exchanger has now been replaced and fan speed adjusted previously, but the whistling noise, like a wet finger on rim of a wine glass is still evident. This can be heard in the house and also whining out of the flue. The noise starts only when the heating is put on, not hot water. The noise starts after about 2 minutes when the boiler has reached about 40 degrees and then runs until it reaches 65 degrees, when it stops.

This has only started since we had a pump replaced and were told a powerflush might help. Whilst this has improved the overall heating, it has not helped stop the noise.

British Gas are coming back again for the umpteenth time next week, but we are now desperate for other ideas.

Thanks
 
Sponsored Links
Sounds to me like mixture.

Has anyone done a flue gas analysis?

Tony
 
Thanks for your reply Agile.

Previous British Gas engineer said the gas/air mix was factory pre set and could not be adjusted, but said he had tested it and it was ok. Could changing the pump have caused this problem. He did not drain the system when changing the pump, he isolated the supply at the valves.

How would the gas/air mix cause the noise and would it only do so on starting up the heating. There is no noise when temperature is maintained at 65 Degrees?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks
 
If the noise was n't there before the pump was changed and now a new pump introduces a noise to the system, then may be the new pump should be questioned.
 
All the rather garbled evidence points to the gas/air mixture causing the problem when the power is reduced as the boiler throttles back because the water is reaching the set temperature.

You said its particularly loud coming from the flue.

Fiddling with the pump is probably irrelevant and it should be on setting 2 unless there is a good reason for another setting.

For an engineer who understands boilers its easy to check the air/gas ratio and vary it by sticking a finger in the air intake!

Its certainly set at the factory but needs to be checked and CAN be reset by a competent engineer!

Changing parts is the indication of a less than competent engineer who does not really understand how they work!

Tony Glazier
 
Thanks Tony

Have tried to explain as clearly as possible.

B/Gas are due Tuesday and will ask them to check.

Paul
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top