Worcester Econaheat Heatslave Combi; plane going down noise!

[PUTWADE]

I have an old combi boiler (Worcester Econaheat Heatslave) which has served me well for several years now. It provides both hotwater and central heating for my flat.

However, two days ago it started to make a strange noise when the heating was running. How can I describe the sound, ahem...like a plane going down during the first world war! The thing is, it all seems to work fine, only this decreasing pitch noise is unusual. (This also happens when I run the hot tap). Any thoughts as to the cause?
Any help much appreciated.

 

[corgigazza]

Possibly the fan (bearings or cooling metal fan blade rubbing on fan housing or the pump may need replacing.

 

[chrishutt]

Sounds like an overheating noise to me, inadequate circulation through a heat exchanger due to clogging with deposits. Only I'd have said 2nd World War plane going down, so it can't be that......

 

[kevplumb]

the freaking burner wants setting up
same as the powermax
gaz where are you or flaming jas when i need you

 

[COG]

Chrishutt is spot on , lost count of how many ive heard that try to be a lancaster bomber when the gas to water heat exchanger gets restricted/blocked ,three options ,clean out the system 30% chance of working.replace gas to water heat ex 100% but only untill it drags in more debri from system or get a new boiler as yours has to be at least 17 years old if its a ECONOHEAT model. ps for a short term fix the hot water gas rate can be reduced to around 8-10mb but performance will drop.

 

[PUTWADE]

Thanks for the invaluable advice gents, will clean out system and replace gas to water heat exchanger.
G

 

[Agile]

To be effective you need to power flush the whole system as well as cleaning any parts of the boiler which are affected.

Tony Glazier