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Hi all
Hoping somebody has come across this problem and can help with constructive advice.
History - 11 radiators in system (total volume 350 litres) steel radiators, copper pipework 20-25 years old. Magnaclean filter fitted and power flushed 10 Years ago with new inhibitor - never experienced any problems until...
New Vaillant Ecofit pure combi installed 18 months ago. Installer flushed system and put in inhibitor. (I question removal of flux.)
6 months after fitting, strange intermittent noises from Boiler every few days. Constantly having to bleed radiators but never need to top up system.
How's air getting into the system under pressure? Fitted an additional Expansion vessel just in case the in built vessel not big enough - No help. No leaks on system (Never need to top up system).
Vaillant engineer came out, found no problem but installed new diverter valve and bypass valve just in case. He suggested it could be Hydrogen in system. He was right, but i didn't check DOH! - Noise still persisted.
Just a theory - I blanked off the boiler auto bleeder. Noise disappeared.
My wife bled a radiator the other day and told me she smelt bad eggs.
I'm told that this smell is associated with hydrogen sulfide. Furthermore you can ignite the gas when bleeding - produces a mini flame thrower!
(Do NOT try this at home) Also i find the pH level is 9.0 - too alakline.
So finally we now know the problem - serious corrosion is happening inside the system and producing hydrogen sulfide gas. The new boiler's life expectancy is dwindling day by day. Need to get this sorted ASAP.
Going to drain/flush the system and put in 2 liters of Sentinel X400 cleaner in next few days. Leave for a week, then drain, power flush and put in 2 liters of Sentinel X100 inhibitor and hope this stops the corrosion/gassing. (Vaillant say NO Biocides.)
New radiators are in the garage, but because of elderly parents living here, plan on replacing these in Spring.
Am i doing the right thing? Or has anybody got any better ideas..
Thanks for reading. I'll report back with progress just in case some other unlucky person has this nasty problem.
Hoping somebody has come across this problem and can help with constructive advice.
History - 11 radiators in system (total volume 350 litres) steel radiators, copper pipework 20-25 years old. Magnaclean filter fitted and power flushed 10 Years ago with new inhibitor - never experienced any problems until...
New Vaillant Ecofit pure combi installed 18 months ago. Installer flushed system and put in inhibitor. (I question removal of flux.)
6 months after fitting, strange intermittent noises from Boiler every few days. Constantly having to bleed radiators but never need to top up system.
How's air getting into the system under pressure? Fitted an additional Expansion vessel just in case the in built vessel not big enough - No help. No leaks on system (Never need to top up system).
Vaillant engineer came out, found no problem but installed new diverter valve and bypass valve just in case. He suggested it could be Hydrogen in system. He was right, but i didn't check DOH! - Noise still persisted.
Just a theory - I blanked off the boiler auto bleeder. Noise disappeared.
My wife bled a radiator the other day and told me she smelt bad eggs.
I'm told that this smell is associated with hydrogen sulfide. Furthermore you can ignite the gas when bleeding - produces a mini flame thrower!
(Do NOT try this at home) Also i find the pH level is 9.0 - too alakline.
So finally we now know the problem - serious corrosion is happening inside the system and producing hydrogen sulfide gas. The new boiler's life expectancy is dwindling day by day. Need to get this sorted ASAP.
Going to drain/flush the system and put in 2 liters of Sentinel X400 cleaner in next few days. Leave for a week, then drain, power flush and put in 2 liters of Sentinel X100 inhibitor and hope this stops the corrosion/gassing. (Vaillant say NO Biocides.)
New radiators are in the garage, but because of elderly parents living here, plan on replacing these in Spring.
Am i doing the right thing? Or has anybody got any better ideas..
Thanks for reading. I'll report back with progress just in case some other unlucky person has this nasty problem.