HB Smith Boiler Poping And banging

Gary_25

I recently Drained an hb smith boiler to replace a zone valve and install a couple of ball valves for ease in future maintenance. After completing the job and purging the system the customer is now complaining of a popping and banging noise. I returned to the job to check for possible air in the system. The system was working well other than the fact that it was making the noise as the system was heating. It is like there sediment in the boiler or the pump had quit working but all seems to be ok. I Tried flushing the boiler but it didn't help and it doesn't matter if one zone is open or all of them (5 zones) Whats odd is it didn't do it before the work was performed. Is it possible that there was an additive that was in the boiler that I drained out unknowingly and refilled with water? As far as I know there wasn't any glycol in the system. Any suggestions on an additive or a fix to the banging? The system is banging on its way to 180. So the system isn't overheating

Ray Landry_3

More than likley the new oxygen rich water that was fed in the boiler when the repair was made caused this. Any time I see an older CI or steel boiler I make the homeowner aware that popping may ensue after the work is done. You can try a boiler cleaner like hercules triple shot, or a rhomar product. The minerals built up on the cast iron are causing small steam pckets to occur

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Ken_40

Gary,

The zone valves have reduced flow. Unless full-port BV's - they too may be restrictive. Add it all p, the flow through the boiler is diminished to some unknown degree, but "diminished" is the operative word.

Despite the gage reading 180, certain areas within the boiler with the newly reduced flow may get close to 240+ and have steam pops. You have a bunch of options:

1. Reduce the aquastat setting until it stops.
2. Double check the gage for accuracy. if it's off by 30 degrees, it would explain a lot.
3. I presume you did NOT leave the circulator on the return?
4. The former flow rates BEFORE the ZV's were addded may have been fine. The Cv restrictions the new ZV's induced may need a pump with better head to overcome the new restriction(s).

Any of that make sense?

kevin coppinger_4

need more info...

What model/fuel of the boiler...what Zv was there and what did you replace?...What circulator is there? Does it have a tankless coil? Did you do any rewiring that would have moved the boiler control around? The boiler should be a closed system so a lot of calcification should not be an issue...but if the water there is really bad anything is possible...is it a well? kpc

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