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Burnham Alpine 105 Groaning

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Slowhand63
Slowhand63 Member Posts: 82
in Domestic Hot Water

10+ y/o boiler used for both indirect HW and several radiant zones. When cycling it is making a groaning/vibration noise when the burner kicks on (transition from ignition to running) and again when it shuts down (postpurge to standby).

Looking for recommendations of what could be causing the noise, and if it's an indicator of a more serious problem developing.

Comments

  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 11,491

    It could be the combustion fan.  Once the back pressure from the flame is in play the vibration is under control, without the flame the fan free wheels and is vibrating.  Verify that before you order a new combustion fan.  They ain’t cheap.

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    SuperTech
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 7,172

    When was the last time it was serviced? Heat exchanger cleaned? Combustion report?

    SuperTechhot_rodIronman
  • SuperTech
    SuperTech Member Posts: 2,633

    It sounds like a bad air/ fuel mixture in low fire. These boilers will make that kind of noise when the combustion is not set right.

    The first thing I would do is make sure the boiler has been cleaned properly. Then I would check combustion in the minimum and maximum firing rate with a digital combustion analyzer.

    Has the boiler been regularly cleaned and serviced?

    Ironman
  • Slowhand63
    Slowhand63 Member Posts: 82

    Thanks all for your comments.

    Boiler has not been regularly cleaned/serviced. Last service maybe 3 years ago.

    I can disassemble and clean, but I don't have a combustion analyzer so I'll need a tech for that. I have not had a lot of luck with techs, will need to do a search.

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