Boiler cover is rattling

DSmiffy

I have a combi boiler, approximately 5 years old, can't remember the make off the top of my head.

It was installed in a cupboard which is in my bedroom as there was nowhere else to install it when I had the old back boiler removed.

The cover rattles like mad everytime the boiler fires up, and often wakes me up. If I push my hand against the boiler cover the rattle stops.

My question is, if I wanted to strap something around the boiler to secure the cover and stop the rattle would this be a fire hazard? Does anything get hot around the back of the boiler??

Thanks

macman

Why don't you just tighten the screw(s) holding the front panel on so that it no longer rattles?
The back of the boiler casing should be flush against the wall, so I doubt you'd get a strap round it.
Doesn't sound like you've had it serviced recently?

DSmiffy

I have tightened the screws, but still rattles.
Yes, you are right, I haven't had it serviced recently, I've just looked into this actually

Ebe_Scrooge

Now, I'm hesitant to suggest this, without actually seeing the boiler ....

However, would it be possible to remove the cover, and place a few sticking plasters around the edge where the cover butts up against the casing ? Not sure I've described that very well ! But what I'm getting at, is that it will create a cushion between the casing and the cover, and also the screws will clamp it more tightly to the casing since there's now an extra half a mm or whatever between the two.

Obviously, it depends on the design. If there's any chance whatsoever of the plasters getting really hot and catching fire, then it's a complete no-no. But usually the front cover is more or less cosmetic, and doesn't come anywhere near the hot parts.

Please, feel free to tell me this is a stupid idea ! Which is why I would advise caution, and make your own judgement. But I'm just thinking it may be a reasonable stop-gap measure that'll cost just a few pence to try, until you can get it looked at properly. And it's definitely worth getting an annual service on boilers - both from a safety and an efficiency point of view. Especially if you have a local independent ( properly qualified ! ) heating engineer who will likely charge a heck of a lot less than the big companies.

SplanK

Now, I'm hesitant to suggest this, without actually seeing the boiler ....

But usually the front cover is more or less cosmetic, and doesn't come anywhere near the hot parts

Please, feel free to tell me this is a stupid idea

This is stupid idea!..... most boilers these days are room sealed using the front cover as part of that seal.... adding 'plasters' or anything to front cover of where it meets another point may result in this seal not functioning correctly and allowing gases to escape into the room...

Le_Kirk

SplanK wrote: »

This is stupid idea!..... most boilers these days are room sealed using the front cover as part of that seal.... adding 'plasters' or anything to front cover of where it meets another point may result in this seal not functioning correctly and allowing gases to escape into the room...

I think the OP is talking about the front cover which is removed to gain access to the controls and the main cover of the boiler which, as you say, should be gas tight. This is a cosmetic cover. I would be more inclined to investigate the source of the rattle rather then smother it! Treat the disease not the symptom.

EachPenny

SplanK wrote: »

This is stupid idea!..... most boilers these days are room sealed using the front cover as part of that seal....

Shouldn't the sealed parts be the flue and combustion chamber and any associated ducting? If gases are escaping into the void between the combustion components and the outer casing then you already have a serious problem - and a (fuel) gas leak into a 'sealed' container which also houses electrical components would be a very dangerous situation indeed. Most (all?) modern wall-mounted boilers have a very large hole in the bottom of the outer casing where all the pipework enters and leaves the boiler.

That said, the OP would be best advised to get the boiler serviced and ask the heating engineer about the rattle. It might be just taking the cover off for servicing and replacing it solves the problem.

Alex1983

A lot of modern condensing boilers the front cover is a combustion cover.

societys_child

SplanK wrote: »

This is stupid idea!..... most boilers these days are room sealed using the front cover as part of that seal.... adding 'plasters' or anything to front cover of where it meets another point may result in this seal not functioning correctly and allowing gases to escape into the room...

I doubt it'd rattle in that case.
On mine the cover is a sheet of bent metal, painted white, hooks on at top and two tiny screws hold it on. Open at the top and the bottom to allow ventilation and keep it cool.

A lot of modern condensing boilers the front cover is a combustion cover.

Dread to think how hot that'd get?