hot water boiler viberates when anti freeze is in system

Larry Kempher

I have a Weil McLain GV4 boiler with 4 zones 3 are used for heat and 1 is used to heat the domestic hot water. I live in Northern Michigan and would like to turn the heat down or off during Jan. Feb. and March and head south. I also have a concern during the winter if we were to loose power for an extended period of time. If Anti freeze is put in the system the pressure gage fluctuates at a very rapid rate and causes the boiler to shake. When just water is installed it works great. The plumbing contractor (when the anti freeze was in the system) purged the system several times for air, He replaced the anti freeze, He brought water from his home and put it in the system with new anti freeze, and replaced the pump. None of these items have helped. The Mfg. of the furnace says not my problem contact the anti-freeze co.. Chemical co. says not my problem contacr boiler Co. Has any one ever ran across this problem and what was done to fix it.

steve gates

I've seen it when the proper inhibitors were not used.The anti-foam. I'd check this first.

Gary Fereday

There was

Some dialog here on the use of anti freeze. Rv and automobile antifreeze's are not good, nor formulated for heatihg systems. A Plumbing supply house is the place to get a name and info on what they may have in your area. Good luck! bigugh

Gary Fereday

There was

Some dialog here on the use of anti freeze. Rv and automobile antifreeze's are not good, nor formulated for heatihg systems. A Plumbing supply house is the place to get a name and info on what they may have in your area. Good luck! bigugh

Dan

% of

how much antifreeze to water, is boiler piped primary/ secordary?

Duncan_2

Another possibility

Sometimes the thermic bypass valve in that model boiler can malfunction and make strange noises.

But your indications are of water flashing to steam. The shaking boiler (with thumping noises?) and fluctuating pressure gauge, that is. That's usually a sign of low water and/or not enough circulation.

I find it hard to believe the BOILER (NOT FURNACE!) manufacturer has never had antifreeze in any of their product installations. It very well could be an antifreeze issue, but they shouldn't have just blown you off like that.

Anti-freeze related noises usually sound like a pod of squealing whales.

Duncan_2

I may have misunderstood...

...the part about the mfr. saying it's not his problem. The installer or service person should contact the wholesaler, who should be able to contact a manufacturer's representative, or even better, the wholesaler, having sold a ton of these boilers, should recognize and know the problem and the fix, or be able to contact a person who does. Your service person might be better able to describe the problem; he speaks boiler-ease.

As I said above, I've occasionally seen problems with the thermal bypass valve in that model boiler. There was even a service bulletin issued for it.

Another possibility could involve how and where the antifreeze is being injected. That scenario involves piping unique to your installation, a generic answer wouldn't apply.

Is there an air elimination device mounted DIRECTLY ON THE BOILER?

Whatever happens, please get back to us with what you find!

Thanks,

Duncan

jim f

cold climates most manufactures suggest a 50/50 mix

Phil Deets

I dont think it's the antifreeze

WM has had problems that they describe as "helicopter noise" from the GV series 1 boilers. It was a problem with the mixing valve. The series 2 had a redesigned mixing valve that usually corrected the problem.
The series 3 has a circulator instead of the mixing valve.
Do you know what series boiler this is? If series 1 or 2 there is a fix for it by replacing the mixing valve.

hr

I wonder

that a high percentage at extremly low temperatures could cause a flow problem. Cold, straight glycol can be very thick.

Mixing percentages should be based on the label on the container. Less expensive brands are diluted and some can even be use without premixing.

On the more expensive "hydronic specfic" fluids, usually a 35% mix is adequate. Dowfrost HD at 35% will give you burst protection to -30. In fact several boiler manufacture caution against mixes over 35%. Copper tube boilers are sensitive to high percentage mixes.

I agree with the others on the internal mix valve. Find a wrench that fits the cap and a large "cheater bar" to remove and inspect the guts! It may just need a cleaning of debris that was turned loose in the fluid change out.


A good hydronic system cleaner would be good to run in the system for a few days. Your glycols will do much better in a properly cleaned and flushed system

hot rod

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