Circulator buzzing noise

Eskimoquinn · December 16

Bought a house last year- I’m still learning the ropes and how to fix/maintain my water radiant heat system. But I could use some help

Gas boiler, single zone, 7 radiators. I re-piped a bunch of it this past summer since the previous installer had Frankensteined a mash up or steel, copper, and galv piping with no brass or dielectric couplings so there was a bunch of corrosion. Also I re-routed the main supply in the basement since the risers to the second floor were last in line so didn’t get much flow and were lukewarm last winter.

System has worked well so far this year but my circulator just started buzzing. Although I flushed the system after all the work, and the radiators seem hot, I’m thinking there must be a blockage and it’s burning up.

Any suggestions? If you think I should swap out the circulator I’ll prob call someone since I’m nervous to do my first one in the middle of a Chicago winter.

btw… how do I operate the isolation valves on either side of the circulator? Is there some sort of key?

Edit: 1st post and realized radiant heat was not radiator heat, lol. Mods please help

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DanielDAY · December 16

Sounds like your pump is seized. Maybe check the capacitor with a multimeter. I’ve never seen those valves and it’s hard to tell what could turn it

Intplm. · December 16

Your description points to the circulator in lock-rotor. It's stuck??

You have been able to do many repairs on your system. You probably can do this one too.

It looks like someone has cut the stem and handles off at the supply and discharge valves at the circulator. Is that what I'm seeing? What are those fresh cuts?

If you decide to do the repair, you can use a cartridge or replace the circulator. Here are some pictures of what you will need. Depending, of course, on what you choose to do.

hot_rod · December 16

You are due for a gasket replacement. A new circ is often the same or less $$ than a cartridge replacement.

It could be something lodged in the volute causing the noise. A spare pump is not a huge investment, it is nice to have one ready to go, if you tackle this on your own.

Those look like the old Thrush isolation valves, some had screwdriver slots, some were for allen wrenches, I can't see enough to tell what type you have.

I'd be surprised if you get those turned off and back on without a problem or leak. The rust tracks indicate they have or are leaking around the stems.

It will be a much bigger job if you need to install new iso valves. May be a job for a pro?

MaxMercy · December 16

Those Tacos can buzz/rattle for a long time before they fail, assuming they're actually turning. If the radiators are hot, the circ is probably working.

HVACNUT · December 16

The flanges with the isolation valves look like they take a special key. I've seen them take a slotted screwdriver or an Allen hex head. I've never seen that.

I don't think the motor and cartridge thing would work here. I'm not positive but I think the older 007's used a thinner O-ring, and I wouldn't chance it staying in one piece.

Can you show the rest of the piping? Maybe you can do it.

EBEBRATT-Ed · December 17

Never seen those valve either.

hot_rod · December 17

Sunstrand was another circulator back in the day. They had a similar looking iso valve, although it may have been the Thrush.

Hard to find info on legacy Thrush components. You need to find a rep with the old catalogs.

But I think they are on borrowed time regardless.

Circulator buzzing noise

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