hot water heater ker-plunk ker-plunk sounds

[whywhyzed]

My oil fired HWH sure makes odd sounds... <br />It sounds like ice cubes in the deep fryer... like it's boiling the water (it's set on the lowest setting) and making loud plunking sounds. This only happens while the burner is running.<br />Is this normal? Do I need to purge air out?

 

[Bondo]

Re: hot water heater ker-plunk ker-plunk sounds

Sounds like you have Sediments in the bottom of the tank,.....<br /><br />I sure that 1 of the other guys will have a better explanation,.....<br /><br />Basically,.... It's creating Hot Spots,+ needs to be Flushed or somehow Cleaned....<br />Do you have Hard water,.??... Mine $uck$,.. I'm Always replacing some plumbing around here, faucets are the Worse.....<br /><br />Hotwater tanks are Self Purging,...Just by turning On a hotwater Tap anywhere in the house........

 

[jimr]

Re: hot water heater ker-plunk ker-plunk sounds

I just changed mine a couple of weeks ago it was a gas and it made some weird noises also. the new one doesn't.while it still worked it made us a little nervous wondering if it was going to blow up. mine was a 1981 model and I think it was time for a new one.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: hot water heater ker-plunk ker-plunk sounds

My electric is doing the same thing and its only about 2 years old.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: hot water heater ker-plunk ker-plunk sounds

I think you need to install one of those little pressure tanks on the inlet line. I believe the noises are nothing more than expansion and contractions. There is no way to trap air in the heater tanks, the cold water is delivered to the bottom of the tank (hottest part) via a dip tube on the inlet fitting. The hot water simply exits the top fitting.<br /><br />The pressure tank is supposed to mitigate those and save the flexing of the heater tank. In some areas a pressure tank is now code. You can ask at your local plumbing store.

 

[KRS]

Re: hot water heater ker-plunk ker-plunk sounds

I believe it's solidified sediment in the tank. Once you have it, it's too late to start a flushing routine to prevent it. Right now you have a giant chunk of soildified mass "chunking" around in the bottom of the tank, pretty soon it will just wear a hole and flush itself out <br /><br />IMO, it's time for a new one.

 

[heycods]

Re: hot water heater ker-plunk ker-plunk sounds

Originally posted by Boomyal:<br /> I think you need to install one of those little pressure tanks on the inlet line. I believe the noises are nothing more than expansion and contractions. There is no way to trap air in the heater tanks, the cold water is delivered to the bottom of the tank (hottest part) via a dip tube on the inlet fitting. The hot water simply exits the top fitting.<br /> .

Unless Its hooked up backwards??????

 

[budsbud66]

Re: hot water heater ker-plunk ker-plunk sounds

One quick questions.<br /><br />is it an<br />A: Hot water heater?<br />B: Cold water heater?<br />c: water heater?<br /><br />i mean, why would you heat hot water?<br /><br />Im just joking around.. take no offence

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: hot water heater ker-plunk ker-plunk sounds

I think you forgot where you were when you typed that starcraft... haha<br />ahem....<br /><br />the water never cools right down before the burner kicks in... the water is still hot... so it actually IS a hot water heater... it just heats it hotter!<br /><br />