Boiler advice! Coloured flame, is it normal?
Posted by LoolieLoo@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 171 comments
[removed]
Posted by LoolieLoo@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 171 comments
[removed]
reckonair@reddit
Looks like a viewing window Oppenheimer would have used for the trinity test
Nervous-Power-9800@reddit
Thought it was a gif from a SAW movie myself.
Midniteman86@reddit
I think Freddy Krueger had one of them.
Puzzleheaded_Army392@reddit
Nah I'm good friends with Freddie kreugar he has a wood burning stove
Holiday_Dog_9788@reddit
I'm friend with him too and he said he was going to upgrade to a gas burner cuz he doesn't like chopping wood 🫤
bishcraft1979@reddit
He is shit hot at making kindling
bishcraft1979@reddit
He looks the sort to be fair
xe3to@reddit
looks like Jerome's finally getting to see the stars
ComradeLitshenko@reddit
I've had a bad day but this has really cheered me up.
reckonair@reddit
Glad I could spark (ha!) a bit of joy in your day, comrade
fuckstarmer1@reddit
looks r8 to me
Anubis1958@reddit
wow. The British Museum just call, and want's it old atifact back!
Seriously, this looks really inefficient. You will be burning way more gas than you need. Replacing this with a modern gas boiler will pay for itself quite quickly, as gas prices won't be coming down anytime soon. Do this before Badger/Milliband rules at all gas boilers are bad and bans them.
And yes, get a gas engineer. Not British Gas. They came into my house when I moved in, took one look at our old boiler, and disconnected the gas feed because he considered it dangerous. And then buggered off, leaving me with an ice cold house, no central heating, no hot water and no stove. Useful - not!
LoolieLoo@reddit (OP)
Its an Ideal Mexico Super 2 which was apparently manufactured between 1988 and 1998 so yes it deserves its own display!
One_Nefariousness547@reddit
Personally, Unless you have a spare few grand. If its safe, works and parts are available, have it serviced every year and wait untill it dies.
Although a conventional boiler like that may be somewhere between 65 and 75 % efficient. A new condensing boiler could be as high as 98%.
For arguments sake if a new boiler would save you £400 a year in gas, you'll get another 6 years out of this one before you break even on the cost of replacement.
LoolieLoo@reddit (OP)
That’s a good point
Redangle11@reddit
But it's dependent on stable gas prices.
lickedwindows@reddit
If gas goes exponential in price, nobody is burning it for warmth.
Redangle11@reddit
Umm, it's used for the majority of the UK population for central heating?
Lots-o-bots@reddit
Bloody hell, you should be looking at replacing the one that replaced that one by now!
Early-Seaweed-1326@reddit
I'm a gas engineer (British gas 20 years). This doesn't look too bad for an old boiler. There's some good blue definition at the bottom of the flame picture. It's normal to get flickers of orange colour towards the top particularly if it's an old open flue boiler which takes its combustion air from the room.
That said, get it serviced. If it is an older open flue it will get dusty and need a good clean and it doesn't hurt to be sure it's safe! Also a good idea to have a co alarm they are pretty cheap considering they potentially save your life 😉.
LoolieLoo@reddit (OP)
Thank you! Waiting for a service to be booked in :)
sangreblue@reddit
We had a similar when we bought the house. The previous owner said it was ‘almost new and serviced regularly.’ But the gas engineer said, ‘I need to seal this—you have carbon monoxide leaks
binguskhan8@reddit
For a second I thought you were filming out the window of your space capsule on re-entry lmao
Glittering_Copy8907@reddit
Jesus, there's ancient and there's ancient.
I would absolutely be getting your own gas engineer to come out and service that and check on it etc.
But also, yeah, I've only ever seen the flames be blue not that most modern boilers let you see
pipnina@reddit
I'm no gas tech, but orange flame suggests incomplete combustion which is bad. You could get carbon buildup or maybe even CO being produced. I don't know if you can get "too lean" like in an ICE but this would look like a "too rich" situation for a car. What perplexes me is how spotty and random the orange is. Maybe something somewhere is partially blocked (with carbon?) and it's causing the gas flow to be improper?
Conscious-Ball8373@reddit
This would definitely suggest incomplete combustion and CO production. If OP doesn't have a CO alarm near the boiler, they really should have. But if it's being vented to outside and not released into the building, it's not an immediate safety concern.
ben1smith2@reddit
Incomplete combustion on a flued appliance At Risk and flueless its Immediately Dangerous
silentv0ices@reddit
I don't know why you think this but yellow flame is incomplete combustion. It's yellow because it's cooler.
CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O. Blue flame CH₄(g) + O₂ (insufficient) → CO + C + H₂O. Yellow flame.
ben1smith2@reddit
I can see the perfect blue little cones rising from the burner. I don’t know what any of those symbols mean so that was a pointless exercise
jackboy900@reddit
Don't think it can, too lean is only an issue with detonation, where you need the exact mixture to be just right, for combustion you just want to be at 100% of the hydrocarbons burning fully and any extra oxygen is just a plus.
silentv0ices@reddit
Correct it's just insufficient oxygen.
silentv0ices@reddit
Also not a gas tech but can confirm it's I'm complete combustion. Needs looking at by a gas tech.
IJustToldThemThat@reddit
Yup - not an expert at all but recently had a gas engineer at my place testing for monoxide. He said that the flames are supposed to be blue and yellow flames can lead to a build up of carbon monoxide. Id be super careful and have it assessed cos CO is scary af..
AnythingGoesLondon@reddit
I'd be getting your gas engineer's grandad to come take a look
OctopusKnobhead@reddit
If my experience with Gas Engineers is anything to go by, a boiler this old is being condemned and you’re paying for a new one. Good luck!
Glittering_Copy8907@reddit
Probably for the best, tbf
FilletOFishForMyVife@reddit
Definitely get a boiler service.
Spirited_Praline637@reddit
And a CO alarm
Affectionate-Act4841@reddit
And a bomb disposal suit
Valentine_scum@reddit
And a cup of tea
Patrick_L58@reddit
And my axe
ElectricalWay9651@reddit
And a crumpet
Sir_Edna_Bucket@reddit
And to the chopper
Beer-Milkshakes@reddit
And call 118 118
brado381@reddit
And Cap, on your left.
Ok-Bag3000@reddit
Jokers to the right
colei_canis@reddit
Iceberg dead ahead!
Spirited_Praline637@reddit
Tbf, boiler looks like it could be powering the Titanic
ElectricalWay9651@reddit
We're unsinkable!
WernerHerzogEatsShoe@reddit
And watch out for asbestos
Jolly-Minimum-6641@reddit
I would seriously look at just getting a new boiler. This thing is clearly an antique, OP may not know its history, chances are it's not terribly economical to say the least.
Lard_Baron@reddit
Hard Blue flame = Not enough air. A pure gas flame.
Floppy Orange flame = To much air/not enough gas
Blue base with orange tip = correct combustion mixture.
Your looks ok for a max output flame.
You likely would feel better if a service engineer took a look and serviced the boiler tho'.
Its less than £100.
LoolieLoo@reddit (OP)
Just looking into the cost of a service now!
wagwagtail@reddit
He's totally wrong on the colours of the flames.
WillyPete@reddit
You should have had an inspection as part of the sale/rental agreement.
Have them check the meter especially if it’s one of those old ones under the stairs.
Our gas main was almost completely blocked by sediment, lowering pressure and almost killing us.
LoolieLoo@reddit (OP)
We got the house surveyed and both gas and electric meter have just been replaced with smart meters, nothing was noted with either of those
Jamericho@reddit
The supplier changing your meters would have nothing to do with your boiler so they wouldn’t note anything. A surveyor wouldn’t check these things either. You’d need a gas safe engineer for that.
WillyPete@reddit
The inspection should have noted if there was an issue with this specific boiler.
If you have the details, call them out on it.
Lard_Baron@reddit
I can see carbon burning off. It certainly needs a clean. It’s not time to hit the panic button but it’s time to service and increase efficiency before winter.
wagwagtail@reddit
That's totally wrong. Don't you remember Bunsen burners? When you have lots of oxygen, the gas flame burns blue. When you starve it of oxygen, it becomes orange and cokey.
drajworley@reddit
The only thing not outrageously wrong here is that a boiler engineer should be called. This person will not pass their GCSE chemistry
mcwhiskers1@reddit
Gas man here. Its complete combustion(flame picture is fine). However, as others have mentioned thats an old looking bastert indeed. Get it checked
fergydoo@reddit
Another Gas engineer here. Yep agree with above , nothing wrong with flame picture. It's burning fine. I'd get it serviced though just due to the age of the boiler.
LoolieLoo@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
Optimal-Room-8586@reddit
Do you live on a steam train?
puffandpill@reddit
OP is in the Snowpiercer universe
Candid_Associate9169@reddit
Have you read the comic? Fucking banger.
M1ndoro@reddit
Mr Wilson.
LoolieLoo@reddit (OP)
That would be more exciting!
Benjamintoggle@reddit
Out of interest what brand or model is that boiler ?
LoolieLoo@reddit (OP)
It’s an Ideal Mexico Super 2, they were manufactured between 1988-1998 apparently
papalazarou1@reddit
Im a boiler engineer. Ama
365BlobbyGirl@reddit
Reminds me of Wallace and Gromits homemade rocket.
Darthblaker7474@reddit
"Stoke it up lad!"
Huge_Marsupial_7839@reddit
that is an absolutely spot on reference, i agree
Important-Zebra-69@reddit
10% efficiency haha
Electrical-Rush-3538@reddit
Time for a boiler service
Jolly-Minimum-6641@reddit
Where the hell did you find this antique? I've been viewing houses recently, one of them had an "ancient" boiler and even it looked factory new compared to this.
madpiano@reddit
This one actually looks like my Nan's boiler. She bought it in 1953 and it was still working absolutely fine when she died in 2008.
Kaizer0711@reddit
Gas man here.
I wouldn't be concerned at that flame picture if it was mine. It looks fine.
If you want piece of mind get someone out.
Curiousferrets@reddit
I think you need to turn it off and contact a boiler engineer immediately. It is not burning clean, which may indicate other gases are being produced. Possibly dangerous.
EpexSpex@reddit
Will be the type of gas your house is fed. Like if you have a gas cooker, the gas will be blue straight out the hob and more orange at the tip of the flame because the tips not as warm as the nozzle.
Flat_Fault_7802@reddit
Boiler on the Titanic
cupid-stunt14@reddit
Coloured? Bit racist
Jealous-Chain-1003@reddit
Just book it in to be serviced you’ll be fine for the time being you have a co alarm these tend to look like this when they have been neglected
Engineer will pull the burner out and clean the burner it self, will check the injectors are not blocked and check the gas valve pressure hasn’t walked out of range
Also very common to get a orange flame when the room the boiler is in or the one adjacent is quite dusty
Wouldn’t be worried replacing it if it’s still got a good 5 years left in it
thebritishgoblin@reddit
What boiler is it mate, looks like a glowworm hideaway? But the square inspection hatch is throwing me off. Chances are its a floor standing open flues boiler. Could be a magnitude if things. Lack of air flow. Dust/dirt buildup. But get a gas engineer over. They will see you right. Just be aware, if the engineer is inexperienced and they see a FS open flue. They may just condemn it out of that reason alone. But if you get an old boy over or someone atleast whos worked with an old boy. They will more then likely find the cause. I still got an old ideal mexicos going for 1989 and quite a few older units going from the late 70’s with enough tlc you can keep them going. Parts are getting harder to source. But not impossible
Dry_Professional_440@reddit
Question, why did you close on a property with a boiler replacement that was clearly needed? Did your survey not flag it?
itchyfrog@reddit
A new boiler is a pretty minor cost when buying a house, its unlikely to be a deal breaker.
Dry_Professional_440@reddit
Depends on the seller and the buyers budget following the purchase. Also depending on if you need any further work as well it might end up costly. Still though if the surveyor didnt flag an issue on a very old boiler at all that hust strikes me as odd
LoolieLoo@reddit (OP)
Nothing was flagged on the survey!
Dry_Professional_440@reddit
If i was you id get a second opinion and see if the boiler is a risk. If it is you can potentially have the surveyor cover the costs of a replacement if it goes wrong.
LoolieLoo@reddit (OP)
Oh okay I’ll look into thanks!
Dry_Professional_440@reddit
Please do! Surveyors missed damp in my in laws house and the surveying company paid all the costs including accommodation due to it needing to be fixed and them missing it
veexdit@reddit
Is it a Baxi pre condensation model late nineties early 2000s Looks like it needs a good service, pressure looks a bit high, but the yellowing of the flame tips indicates service is well overdue
binkstagram@reddit
A new boiler will be so much more efficient that your bills should noticably drop.
_Bluestar_Bus_Soton_@reddit
Was the house built around the boiler???
rev-fr-john@reddit
Is it possible it hasn't been regularly used for a few weeks? If so it's just dust being sucked up by the air flow and the dust particles are not burning clean, once they've gone it'll be fine.
You can test this theory by smacking the boiler when it's running, the vibration will dislodged a mountain of dust that'll burn orange then almost immediately return to it's current state but with slightly less orange.
MrLuchador@reddit
Reminds me of the old 1980s British Gas ads. Are you, in fact, channeling the entire gas reserves of the North Sea?
Johnsmith13371337@reddit
MORA: Odo!
(Odo turns to see a Bajoran man who looks similar to himself. Everyone say Hi! to James Sloyan)
ODO: Doctor Mora.
MORA: It's been too long. You're looking well. Yes, coming along nicely.
ODO: Why didn't you let me know that you were coming?
MORA: It was a last minute arrangement.
ODO: The trip from Bajor takes five hours.
porko1811@reddit
Cremations during the day, central heating at night.
goodporn99@reddit
Its fine
Dar_Vender@reddit
Make sure you have an up to date CO detector is always a good idea. Then just get it serviced at least once a year to check for issues. Potential CO is not something to mess about with. Odorless and lethal.
OldBorktonian@reddit
Ideally flame should only be blue but yours shows mostly blue so I wouldn't worry. As for CO2 everyone should have a detector, buy one if you haven't got one. Get service/checking quotes though, if boiler is really old may be best to leave well alone and put money aside for a replacement if & when it's needed. My boiler is over 60 years old and still going strong.
NaniFarRoad@reddit
CO2? Why?
MajorMathematician20@reddit
You’re getting downvoted but you’ve made a good point, CO is deadly in small amounts, CO2 is… very much less so
LoolieLoo@reddit (OP)
Just installed a CO2 detector to be safe! This one’s at least 25 years old but still going for now!
UncertainBystander@reddit
Contact Steampunk Appliances.
More seriously, expect a large bill for a replacement boiler. That looks like it's about 50+ years old.
The1non1y1@reddit
You need a gas engineer ASAP
ridewithaw@reddit
Needs a service I expect. That’s not the typical flame you’d expect with incomplete combustion… flickers of yellow is quite common, yellow flapping flames are the ones you need to look out for. looks like an old Worcester cdi rsf? Beautiful bunch of lads
itchyfrog@reddit
Looks more like dust or dirt burning than an air problem, my cooker did similar after I'd been sanding something in the kitchen, but I'd definitely get it checked.
dr_wtf@reddit
Either way, go to the nearest DIY store and get a carbon monoxide detector today, just in case. They don't cost much.
puffandpill@reddit
The call-out fee to get a gas man to the Titanic is going to be astronomical.
LoolieLoo@reddit (OP)
Thank you all for your help, the general consensus is get it serviced! It’s likely it’ll be updated to a combi boiler sometime soon, but it’s helped settle my mind for now.
BikesandCakes@reddit
If you don't already have a CO alarm that looks fairly new, got to screwfix or toolstation (both open until 7 or 8pm) right now and get one.
LoolieLoo@reddit (OP)
Got one and put it just above the boiler!
Hookton@reddit
Bear in mind there's a non-zero chance it'll be condemned, so you might have to bring those replacement plans forward.
Alan-TheDetroyer@reddit
Turn that off! Lol, boil the kettle or some shit, you can't possibly use that and sleep peacefully at night, fucking Anne frank ahh boiler
papillon-and-on@reddit
You only made it 3 days in September!?
The shame.... the shame...
LoolieLoo@reddit (OP)
I know, rookie numbers, 2 cold showers for me is already two too many
Phishstixxx@reddit
Ah yes, I think this was Saw 2
Kanaray23@reddit
This reminds me of that scene from Chernobyl.
Helmutius@reddit
Did they steal that one from the German High Seas Fleet before it sunk itself at Scraps Flow?
Individual-Roll2727@reddit
It might be because it hasn't been used for a while. Dust or debris that has settled on the burners from the flue/heat exchanger will do this, and you will also temporarily see flames like this after servicing (disturbs dust etc).
You would be wise to get a service and some carbon monoxide detectors.
I would wait until the boiler dies or becomes unsafe to fit a condensing boiler. Unfortunately, many of us that worked/still work in the trade know that they really won't save you much money. Condensing boilers have a much shorter lifespan and require more servicing/repairs. Therefore you really won't save that much money.
WildcardOilTycoon@reddit
CO backing up, pilot lights probs full of sutt or the exhaust the same. Needs a service.
blacp123@reddit
It's dirty. But the biggest problem is its age. You would probably save on your gas bill a lot if you upgrade to a modern boiler.
Yipsta@reddit
That's burning perfectly. Blue at the bottom into orange is absolutely fine.
PsycommuSystem@reddit
One of your number one priorities should be having this ripped out and replaced with a brand new modern boiler. Jesus.
R4FTERM4N@reddit
Depends on how many corpses you want to burn I guess....
LoolieLoo@reddit (OP)
Only a couple
R4FTERM4N@reddit
Should be sufficient then.
dannyboomhead@reddit
Your first purchase needs to be a few Carbon Monoxide alarms and then I'd call a service engineer to be safe (you may need to look a bit more specialised than British Gas!).
last-Invictus@reddit
How does it taste?
LoolieLoo@reddit (OP)
Spicy
FearFactor117@reddit
My mans living in a manufacturing plant 😭😭😭
LungHeadZ@reddit
Man I remember staring at the flame in my mums old boiler that was in her bedroom. It was a lot smaller flames than these. Like having the gas hob on low, this is maximum xD
I don’t know how that translates to being an issue but as a layman I’d guess I’d be as worried as you
seb4096@reddit
Is that a boiler or an industrial furnace?
jameslee85@reddit
I think your boiler is on fire.
reginalduk@reddit
Good luck getting a service. They'll whip out a gasket that has decomposed and won't be able to source a part. To be honest get a new one, that one will be less than 40% efficient.
Lazygit1965@reddit
Yellow flames normally indicate incomplete combustion. Invariably your boiler is emitting carbon monoxide so definitely get it checked out.
oh_no3000@reddit
Orange flame is incomplete combustion and can cause some issues like increased carbon monoxide being generated. A good service should get it burning full blue again.
Carl_Clegg@reddit
Is that an old cast iron Vulcan boiler?
It’s a thing of beauty.
inevitable_dave@reddit
Book in a service, though a lot of them are very busy at the moment as people start testing out their central heating system for the first time in months and find out that minor issue in March is now a major fuck up in September.
For the time being (praise be unto him), make sure you've got a Carbon Monoxide monitor close to the boiler.
LoolieLoo@reddit (OP)
CO alarm is directly above the boiler for now!
ramboacdc@reddit
Get a boiler service in and a carbon monoxide alarm in as soon as you can. Never play or take the advice of Internet strangers when it comes to gas. Let the professionals have a look at it.
I have British Gas Homeserve who give you an annual service for free, but I bet there are others out there.
LoolieLoo@reddit (OP)
Thank you, CO alarm is in and I will be getting a service done!
Vast_Development_316@reddit
Get the case back on. Call a gas safe engineer. It could be positive pressure boiler and bloody dangerous with the case off
fffffffjtrdc@reddit
It’s not though because you can see the burner is encased
dynastycrash@reddit
I just moved into a house where the boiler looks ancient, moved with intention of instant replacement. Work being done tomorrow.
Didn't even consider turning it on with how old it was. And this looks even older than mine 😂
LoolieLoo@reddit (OP)
The house I moved from also had an ancient one that works perfectly fine so I’m used to seeing antiques 😂
SuggestionReal4811@reddit
Looks ok given the age, I would first be checking the service history and still go ahead and get an engineer out for peace of mind though.
Obviously make sure you have the appropriate monitoring and any concerns just shut it down and look to isolate it from the gas supply.
MillsOnWheels7@reddit
Needs more coal.
/s
beardymo@reddit
I'm pretty sure a gas engineer is going to condemn that boiler pretty much before they get in through the door.
Bincat32@reddit
It might need replacing. Could be asbestos in there.
FluffyBunnyFlipFlops@reddit
I think your mud hut needs a new boiler.
ArkwrightST@reddit
Bad news - you're probably going to want to update your boiler soon
Good news - you'll be able to take your old one to Antiques Roadshow and get a valuation
Opening_Succotash_95@reddit
It looks ok but I'd replace that boiler with something that's not 60 years old anyway
Pericombobulator@reddit
The yellow flames show that the gas isn't burning cleanly. The burner is probably all coked up.
Manicmine1969@reddit
This is just burning off too much oxygen.
dbxp@reddit
Looks like you may have flakes of iron in the flame to me, perhaps rust in the pipe breaking off?
DistantFlea90909@reddit
I would replace this ASAP
taskkill-IM@reddit
Whose boiler is that? Freddy Krugers?
Flashington1@reddit
Natural gas isn't just methane, there's also a fair proportion of other combustibles and non combustibles and occasionally small amounts of distillates and leak suppression additives. As long as it's mainly blue at high fire it's probably ok but it's not a reliable method of judging combustion health.
Sattaman6@reddit
Are you Freddy Krueger?
alan_alien@reddit
My knowledge of these things is limited. But incorrect coloured flames(like yours) are generally down to incorrect mixture, this can be due to leaks or dirt/debris or other reasons that would recommend a service.
However I know these guys are not cheap to come out and the age of that boiler seems to indicate retirement is overdue. The unit will not be efficient and besides reliability of older stuff being great, efficiency is nowhere near the newer stuff.
I would shut that thing down and get the system replaced rather than repair/service and then replace. Potentially an extra couple days of discomfort but rather now than during the winter
Big-Bumbaclart@reddit
I believe nowadays the correct term is flame of colour.
CannonousCrash@reddit
Normal for it's age, yes.
Timely-Bag-1506@reddit
That needs an inspection and/ or a service. It might be debris burning off or something not right with the air mixture - get it checked by a registered engineer
Personal_Stranger_52@reddit
It’s not a floppy flame, which is good. It’s probably just dust burning off. HOWEVER, this video is not enough to determine if that appliance is safe. Turn it off and get it checked. Co is odourless, colourless and will kill you!
Optimal_Collection77@reddit
I'd book in a service as you've just moved in. If you post the boiler make and model people more trained might be able to advise.
ResplendentBear@reddit
Looks completely normal to me.
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