Loud Explosion

Jody Hodge

When I turn the thermostat on and the boiler starts up it makes a huge explosion sound that literally shakes the walls. Why is my boiler doing this and how can I make it stop. I turned it off for the summer and now I'm afraid to turn it back on. I need help.

ed wallace

loud bang

call for help do not turn system on

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Mellow_2

Right

The unit you have is probily not working the right way. I do not know what you have but it sounds like the unit is not starting smooth or the fuel that is being burned to give you heat is not lighting right. "delaying" is what you call this and it is not normal. This should be looked at by a pro.

jim lockard

Listen to Ed

Jody turn off the system (heater) and call for service

Weezbo

Jody call a boiler guy...or furnace guy..

most oil companies that deliver fuel have a few names of people who fix this sort of deal for a living and are relatively well versed in this type of malfunction ...it really isnt something a furnace guy can do anything about over the phone line.he needs to show up with some tools and quite likely will be there for about 4 hours cleaning the thing and resting various parameters as it does this sort of thing when it has been neglected for a while.if it is a gas appliance then something is horribly wrong indeed.

Biged

loud explosion

sounds like puff back on delayed ignition.

Jay_11

What Causes a Puff Back on Delayed Ignition

I also have an explosion-like sound when my boiler goes on. Not each time but several times and a few times so violently it blows out the pilot light. What causes this? I've had the heating servicing company repeatedly examine the pilot light, the gas valve, etc, but they keep concluding nothing is wrong with my equipment.

One theory they have is that there may not be enough oxygen in the boiler room even though there are 2 vent grids and a louvered door, but they say it may help to leave the door open. Is that something that would help?

Einsiedler_2

lack of mua

there may be other appliances sucking up oxygen. determine TOTAL fresh air requirements and ensure that you have ample air getting into that mech room.


EIN

Jay_11

Oxygen

The direct fired hot water heater is in the small boiler room. I could add more ventiliation--perhaps I should just leave the boiler room door ajar?

oil-2-4-6-gas

.

i love these calls---last season i turned it off because it made loud noises ///---now you need to call for service --boy i cant tell you how much i love those first days of the season ---70-100 calls of stuff that should have been addressed during the summer ---now you are going to call for service and you will get upset at the fact most companies will put you on the list in order that was called in--you might be 50th today or maybe wait for a week and be lucky #150 ..you need professional help call for service -if this is gas Do Not run the unit if oil Do Not run it

ScottMP

Jay

If this is gas you may have a leaking gas valve. It could be allowing gas into the chamber and then when there is a call for heat you get a loud light off.

Thats one possiblity. The biggest thing is that this is not a safe condition and you need to get someone to correct it to protect your family.

Scott

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Jay_11

Gas Valve

They told me they checked the gas valves too and the service company tells me that there are no gas leaks. I've had my service company come out three times and each time they tell me they could find no problem.

Glenn Harrison_2

Jay, you are getting a buildup of unburned gas,

that is lighting off at once, causing the explosion. The force of all this gas lighting at once is why the pilot is blowing out. I'm thinking that one or more of your burners is not lighting when it should be. Whatever is causing this needs to be resolved, as this could cause a major explosion which could cause propertydamage and possibly loss of life.

Since your service company has said it's fine (yah right!!!), I think it's time for another contractor opinion, or 2 or 10 if neccesary. Something is not igniting properly, and it needs to be fixed!!!

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Jay_11

Thanks for the advice.

My service company, AMHAC, did agree that the problem might be a delayed ignition. But they tried to duplicate the problem by repeatedly igniting the boiler for over half an hour and could not get it to happen again. So they concluded that since they could not duplicate the problem, there was not much they could do except clean the burners and come back if the problem occurred again. I wasn't very satisfied with that outcome.

I agree that it's a dangerous situation and am trying to get the boiler replaced. No luck with the "find a pros" near me, but I've been trying to get some other plumbers to give me an estimate.