Potterton Performa Combi Boiler sounds like an aeroplane

[kuffdam]

Our Potterton Performa 24 combi boiler sounds like an aeroplane going over when it first kicks on for HW and or CH. Once you get the boiler running the noise eases off to silence until you turn off the HW or turn off the CH when it groans to a halt (is that the fan making the noise???).

The boiler is about 10 years old and has been solid apart from a replaced diaphragm 2 months ago.

I recently used Wickes rad cleaner (blue label) which I left in for a week after draining down the whole system (5 rads in total) and then put in the Wickes inhibitor (red label). That was the first clean I think the system has had for about 7 years at least..... I was very surprised that the water was as clear as it was when I drained it and there was hardly any bits or rubbish in the water either????

Pressure is at 1.5 and I've been round and bled all the rads to eliminate pressure in the system.

Could it be air in the boiler or has the sludge got into the bolier from the cleaning???

All help/comments appreciated

 

[Beerlover]

With the boiler firing for CH, open a hot tap - does the noise kick in again?

Also what Performa is it?

 

[kuffdam]

With the boiler firing for CH, open a hot tap - does the noise kick in again?

Also what Performa is it?

I'll try that when I get home and post back later.

Performa 24

 

[kuffdam]

With the boiler firing for CH, open a hot tap - does the noise kick in again?

With boiler firing for CH I opened the HW tap and indeed the noise started again......

However, I did drop the standing cold pressure to just under 1 bar and that seems to lessen the noise?!?!?

Any ideas???

 

[Agile]

It sounds as if the gas settings may be incorrect OR its scaled up.

That may need a competent engineer to check/diagnose.

I always wonder why some DIYers start doing "maintenance/repairs" when there is no indication that anything is needed.

If the system is properly cleaned when a boiler is installed then no further action is needed for 10-30 years as long as the system is run correctly.

Tony

 

[kevplumb]

If the system is properly cleaned when a boiler is installed then no further action is needed for 10-30 years as long as the system is run correctly.

jeez another pearl of wisdom

does the number 12 ring any bells

 

[Beerlover]

From that, I think we can eliminate the fan bearings.

Would you describe the sound as a bit like an air raid siren? This normally would hint at a blocked main heat exchanger.

It may also be the autobypass valve opening which would point to a boiler blocked with carp. This is more of a vibrating screech noise.

[GALLERY=media, 26410][/GALLERY]

Is the pipework underneath as per this diagram ie the two outer valves are the right way round? the one on the right has a filter that can block if fitted to the flow and cause all sorts of mayhem. If it is wrong, isolate drain the boiler and remove the filter (undo larger nut on the front, run heating and hope it flushes out the blocked waterways.

 

[onlyfitidealboilers]

10 or 30 years are you drinking again tonight tony!!!!!!!!

 

[Agile]

If you have many years eperience of heating systems they you will no boubt have seen systems well over 20 years old which are 100% clean.

On a sealed system, if its clean when installed then where would any dirt come from if its operated corrected?

I only do power flushing or cleaning when its necessary.

Thats not totally correct because I once power flushed a clean system because this old couple were frightened that BG would cancel their cover if it was not power flushed. So just to make them happy I did power flush it although it was never needed. Perhaps the BG engineer had not earnt enough sales points that month?

Tony

 

[Beerlover]

 

[kevplumb]

10 or 30 years are you drinking again tonight tony!!!!!!!!

judging by that last reply yes

 

[kuffdam]

From that, I think we can eliminate the fan bearings.

Would you describe the sound as a bit like an air raid siren? This normally would hint at a blocked main heat exchanger.

It may also be the autobypass valve opening which would point to a boiler blocked with carp. This is more of a vibrating screech noise.

[GALLERY=media, 26410][/GALLERY]

Is the pipework underneath as per this diagram ie the two outer valves are the right way round? the one on the right has a filter that can block if fitted to the flow and cause all sorts of mayhem. If it is wrong, isolate drain the boiler and remove the filter (undo larger nut on the front, run heating and hope it flushes out the blocked waterways.

Thanks beerlover. It was indeed the heat exchanger - some of the sh1t from the cleaner I put in had got into it and was causing the racket.....

Picked up a new exchanger and that has sorted it.......

Thanks for the comments & support

 

[Agile]

Could it be air in the boiler or has the sludge got into the bolier from the cleaning???

All help/comments appreciated

Thats interesting! You seemed to suspect that you had let dirt get into the boiler main heat exchanger.

I hope that you had it changed by a boiler engineer.

I would have chemically cleaned it in situ because I can do that on the spot on the one visit without returning with a new ( and expensive ) heat exchamger.

Tony

 

[Beerlover]

Agile How much would you have charged for a visit and a chemical flush?

Pretty sure it would have been more than the £80 odd pound he paid for a new part (guaranteed clear). Why would he need a boiler engineer when good minded people can help him on this site for no glory or profit?

Some want glory, some want praise, some want thanks... BUT some only want to help

 

[Agile]

Changing the main HE is part of the gas train and as such should be done by an RGI.

Where could he buy a main HE for £80 even pounds?

To chemically clean a boiler we charge a diagnostic fee of £84 in our local area plus a variable amount depending on how many times we have to dose the boiler. Perhaps a total of £140-£180 Why do you ask?

Not only can we do that on the initial visit but the cleansing covers all the wet boiler components. Its often difficult to find out exactly whereabouts a boiler blockage actually is and there can often be several significant blockages.

I also find quite a lot of performas have the filter ( wrongly ) fitted to the left flow connection.

Tony