Gurgling or whistling boiler

Question

What causes gurgling or whistling noises in a boiler? Is this the sign of a significant problem? How can I fix this? Is it unsafe to work on this DIY? Thanks for your time.

Saqib · Answer

Hi, if you are not a Gas Safe registered engineer then you should not do anything Gas related yourself. It can be very dangerous. The gurgling and whistling can be anything, it can only be diagnosed if you ask a Gas Engineer to come and take a look, or get some free advice on some online posts. Hope that helps.

Paul · Answer

Hi Matt, not something you can legally work on DIY, I assume that you have a Vokera, if so most likely a blocked condensate

Peter · Answer

Hi, it can be blocked heat exchanger, gas valve, gas injector.
Yes this is unsafe and against the law

Robert · Answer

Could be air inside the system if it’s been drained or has a leak, try bleeding radiators otherwise you may have sludge which would need flushing out as the boiler is heating too fast due to lack of water in the heat exchange, could even be the pump labouring. Bleeding is DIY but that’s as far as it goes regarding boilers

Graham · Answer

Gurgling can be caused by a blocked condense trap. Its the products of combustion causing the water in trap to bubble up. Any whistling noise needs to be heard. You cannot DIY this as the condense trap is an integral part of the combustion process, plus the fact that depending upon what boiler it is, the front casing / cover could form an important part of the room sealing of the appliance. No gas appliance should ever be DIY'd. Use a Gas safe Registered Installer such as ourselves.

Jonathan · Answer

Best guess is a blocked condense trap. It sounds like your boiler hasn't been serviced for a while

Anthony · Answer

This can be caused by boiler overheating
( kettling ) because water not circulating.
Could be pump failure or valve failure.

Other causes ( less likely )
Over gassed or sensor fault.

Joseph · Answer

Yes definitely unsafe to work on this DIY.  A whistling sound could be the gas valve, gurgling inside the boiler/heat exchanger is usually a sign of a blocked condensate pipe/trap. Best to have this looked over by a Gas Safe Engineer.

Gurgling or whistling boiler

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