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The howling system

Leo_G
Leo_G Member Posts: 89
in THE MAIN WALL
Have an 8 year old infloor system that has a standard boiler controlled by a Honeywell AQ 4-way mix valve. For the first 7.5 years the system has been quiet. But just recently there has been a ghostly howl that starts at about 140*F and goes until the boiler hits the high limit, sometimes lasting more then 15 seconds after the boiler has stopped firing. I have checked the venting and the heat exchanger and that all seems good. I am thinking that maybe the inline sprig check is starting to wobble, but want to know if anyone has run across this before I start to rip and tear and maybe cost my customer more then necessary if this is not the solution.



thanx,



Leo G

Comments

  • Mark Eatherton
    Mark Eatherton Member Posts: 5,858
    Copper fin tube heat source?

    With glycol?



    If yes, then your simple solution would be to pump in a chelate. It breaks up surface tensions that are causing the microbubble steam flash at the point where the fluid meets the hot metal.



    I've had this condition rear its ugly head more than once, and the chelants quieted it down IMMEDIATELY.



    Sounds like whales in heat???



    ME

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • Leo_G
    Leo_G Member Posts: 89
    Thanx Prof

    It is a steel boiler with no anti-freeze. Actually I was just thinking the same thing this morning. I have some cleaner so I think that I will go that route first, as this was one of my "first" installs. i.e. - not really set up for easy swap and go. I am also going to take my stethascope along with me today....
  • Mark Eatherton
    Mark Eatherton Member Posts: 5,858
    Probably the same situation....

    Any fouling of the heat exchanger from any source will retard the flow of heat from the flame thru and to the water inside.



    The first time I ran into this issue, the local rep for the boiler had me put a bigger pump on it, and it suppressed the noise significantly. Raising the operating water pressure should help in suppressing it as well. Might run it by the manufacturer and see what they say, if you haven't already.



    ME

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,197
    even cast boilers will talk

    I have had cast iron boiler moan and howl when they get scaled inside. In one case several small staple up pinholes had the system taking on fresh water, from day one.



    It was fouled with hard water deposits and the only cleaner that worked was Hercules Sizzle. I ran the boiler one day with the recommended dosage and it quieted right down.



    hr
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
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