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[mingom]

Hey guys,

Went out to check the boiler tonight, checked the water when I was out there - no issues, but I can hear a bubbling or gurgling noise - temp was only at 176-178, has only gone up to 185 recently so I'm not sure it boiling - has anyone heard this before?

[tawilson1152]

I hear it every time my boiler fires.

[tawilson1152]

Water boiling. I've played around with switching the pipe connections, running at a lower temp and running two pumps for more flow but I still get it. I am used to it now.

[willowbk]

mingom
I have a port/main owf, all of the sudden I heard same noise coming in at return line and bubbling up from bottom to the top.
I was able to see return and supply line in the basement and could see air going back on return but not on supply. long story short, I had a drain valve that went bad and was sucking air on return side after exchanger, plumber said it happens occasionally. I caulked up and it went away. will replace in the spring.

[RSI]

mingom
I have a port/main owf, all of the sudden I heard same noise coming in at return line and bubbling up from bottom to the top.
I was able to see return and supply line in the basement and could see air going back on return but not on supply. long story short, I had a drain valve that went bad and was sucking air on return side after exchanger, plumber said it happens occasionally. I caulked up and it went away. will replace in the spring.

Do you have the pump on the return side pulling the water?

[slimjim]

Good catch and good post Willowbk

[mingom]

Been awhile, been monitoring it a bit... Think it's just boiling but it's weird- it can happen from170ish on up if there's a roaring fire.  Just sounds like the whole tank is rumbling/boiling.

[mlappin]

I've heard a gurgle or two if air has somehow gotten in the lines. With a blazing fire it sounds more like when you're heating a pan of water on the stove, a sizzle actually.

[Ratchet Thunderbolt]

mingom
I have a port/main owf, all of the sudden I heard same noise coming in at return line and bubbling up from bottom to the top.
I was able to see return and supply line in the basement and could see air going back on return but not on supply. long story short, I had a drain valve that went bad and was sucking air on return side after exchanger, plumber said it happens occasionally. I caulked up and it went away. will replace in the spring.

Do you have the pump on the return side pulling the water?

What side should the pump be on?  With the house on the pressure or suction side?

[slimjim]

I normally install the circ on the supply to the house side and as I have posted before I bring the return back to the hottest portion of the boiler, conventionals to the top and gassers to the bottom, I think this helps to stabilize the temps in the boiler.

[mingom]

My pump supplys to the house - on the lower side of the boiler, return on the top.  Its not air in the lines or anything like that -it only happens when it gets hot (generally 175+) but have heard it down to 170.  It only seems to happen when the fire is really ripping inside.

[slimjim]

Water level is up? you are boiling your water and this is not good for the boiler, can you increase the water flow, larger circulator or if it's 3 speed try running it on high.

[mingom]

Water level is good - just checked.  Bumped the 3 speed grunpfos up to high - I'll see what happens with that.

[djc]

My 4400 does the same thing - Like you said, only when the fire is cooking good - It seems the sound is close to the front of unit - I think it is just a hot spot , where the fire is licking the side wall intensely in one location causing the water to boil, just in one spot.

[Sprinter]

Hey what does that mean when water is boiling below 212 degrees. How can that be? Systems sucking air into the pipes?