[eworthy]

Hi there,

My Grundfos pump was making a "train chugging" sound so I had someone come replace it. After about a week, it started making the sound again. I called the plumber and he told me to bleed the system to get the air out. I tried that but it still makes the sound. It's not all the time, just once in a while but it's loud and you can hear it throughout the house. I have it come on at 6am and this morning was bad.

I don't think he knows what is causing it as he won't contact me after I asked him to come back and look. Before I call someone else, does anyone know what is causing this or how maybe I can fix it myself?

This forum won't let me post links so I'll respond to my post with the video.

Thanks,
Eric

 

[eworthy]

Mind you the sound is not coming from the pump, it's just right above it in that little pipe.

There are two Youtube videos:

Old Pump:

New Pump:

 

[WhatRnsdownhill]

sounds like the check valve or flow valve making the noise......when its making the noise tap " gently" with a wrench or small hammer to see if the sound changes or goes away...that is the piece just right of the bottom of the extrol tank, where is connects to the copper line..

 

[eworthy]

Thanks for replying so quickly. It's doing it now so I'll go do that.

Right there correct?

 

[eworthy]

Ok, here we go. Hopefully this video helps more.

 

[jmon]

What's the pressure in the expansion tank?

 

[jmon]

Looks like a fairly new expansion tank, doubt that would be the problem. But it's a quick 5 minute check and you can rule it out.

Turn off incoming water, open couple faucets to relieve pressure and check it with a tire gauge. Should match your incoming water pressure usually 55-60 psi or so. If not, add air to the appropriate psi. If nothing but water comes out, replace it. Just a suggestion.

If that checks out good, I agree, then it's probably the check valve.

 

[WhatRnsdownhill]

ok on your last video where you had your hand is a check valve..drain the water and open the check valve to make sure there is nothing stuck in it and it is in good shape inside, is that for domestic hot water or the heating system, it looks like a water heater from the videos?..the red circled fitting is just a copper t, not the check valve. move over about 3 inches..is that a return loop for the hot water on domestic water?

 

[eworthy]

Thanks for the replies. It is for the hot water tank.

I'll try the check value option first to see if that helps. We are on well water here, shared between 71 houses.

From here, I'll check the expansion tank.

 

[eworthy]

I tried to get that nut off but that sucker is on there. I only have a crescent wrench.

At this point, I think I'm going to just have a real plumber come out. Thanks for all of your help and I'll post what the resolution was. The problem is it doesn't do it all the time and I fear when they come out, they won't be able to troubleshoot. Grrr.

 

[WhatRnsdownhill]

Thanks for the replies. It is for the hot water tank.

I'll try the check value option first to see if that helps. We are on well water here, shared between 71 houses.

From here, I'll check the expansion tank.

talk to your neighbors and see if any of them are having the same issue, it could have something to do with pressure drop outside in the system, with 71 houses on a well set up..do you have a rpz valve on the water main coming into your house?