One-pipe steam -- loud rumbling noise after burner shuts off

Mark Cioffi

Hello -
We have a one-pipe steam boiler that is two years old (replaced an old one) that has recently been making a very loud rumbling noise a few seconds after it shuts off upon satisfing the thermostat temperature level. The noise is audible throughout the house and sounds much like an 18-wheeler downshifting in the system. It lasts 5 to 10 seconds, and of course, happens only sporatically -- but mostly in the wee hours of the morning. Technicians have come out twice but were unable to duplicate the noise and haven't offered any definitive reasons or solutions. They seem to feel the system is safe, but we want to be sure.
Do folks here have any ideas? I'm sure that I've left details out that may help solve the mystery, so please ask away if you have ideas. Thank you much.
Mark

Jack P.

It sounds like it might be collecting condensation somewhere in the system and the steam pressure is holding it there until shutdown. Most likely near the boiler and header. Then the condensation water is dumped back into the boiler all at once on shutdown. I had this once on short-cycle. Try this. Time the length of normal burn. Then, shutdown the system for a couple of hours until the mains get good and cold so when you fire it back up it makes lots of condensation. When you fire it backup run it only for the normal burn time that you timed. Listen for the noise. If it rumbles that’s probably what going on.

Robert O'Connor_11

Fuel?

What fuel are you using. Oil burners will do this. If it is a good tech can figure it out.

All the best

Robert

ME

John S.

check into this....

Water Hammer

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