Boiler's on the blink again

[Shewie]

The hot water's been a bit dodgy for the last couple of days and tonight the boiler's playing up again.

Rung our 24hr callout people and they can't make it until Wednesday

[Waterworx]

Umm, tad far for me to travel

What model boiler etc?

[Toddy]

Oooh, not good, especially at this time of year.

If you've got 24 hour call out though ?
I take it you're not considered a priority then

Hope it gets fixed asap.

cheers,
M

[Spikey DaPikey]

So it's gonna be indoor camping then

[wingstoo]

Umm, tad far for me to travel

What model boiler etc?

Might not like the travelling expences, I'm closer but still 5 or 6 hours away.

Is it a system boiler or a combi?

[Shewie]

It's a Vokera 90E combi, about 14 years old I think.

I thought it was just an electrical circuit board thing at first but now the pressure seems to be creeping up.

We've had the heating off most of the night but I've just put it on now to see if it will reach 3 bar before cutting out.

If we switch it off the pressure drops right down to 0 but then climbs as soon as we put it back on and fire up the heating.

Hot water runs for about 3 mins and then cuts out with a high limit light on the panel.

[Shewie]

If you've got 24 hour call out though ?
I take it you're not considered a priority then

Hope it gets fixed asap.

cheers,
M

Cheers Mary, unless we've got a gas or water leak/ bust pipe etc they won't prioritise us. Which is fair enough I suppose given the cold snap we're in.

[Waterworx]

any strange noises

[Shewie]

any strange noises

Not that I can tell

Apart from the Carol winging about not being able to do any washing at the weekend.


Just checked now and it's right up to 3 bar

[Spikey DaPikey]

most washing machines have a heater inside, and can run from a cold fill..

[Waterworx]

Could be simple as slow running circulator, knacked expansion vessel or as bad as blockage in heat exchanger. 14 your old is fairly good going tbh

[Spikey DaPikey]

most washing machines have a heater inside, and can run from a cold fill..

http://www.whitegoodshelp.co.uk/word...-water-supply/

[Shewie]

Could be simple as slow running circulator, knacked expansion vessel or as bad as blockage in heat exchanger. 14 your old is fairly good going tbh

I think we had a new expansion valve fitted a couple fo years a go. We got completely ripped off and paid something like £180 in the end for a part that I now know only cost about a fiver and labour.

If the heating does go though I'll be back on the phone to EON and telling them straight. No heating and it's pushing -2 out there.

[Whittler Kev]

It's a Vokera 90E combi, about 14 years old I think.

I thought it was just an electrical circuit board thing at first but now the pressure seems to be creeping up.

We've had the heating off most of the night but I've just put it on now to see if it will reach 3 bar before cutting out.

If we switch it off the pressure drops right down to 0 but then climbs as soon as we put it back on and fire up the heating.

Hot water runs for about 3 mins and then cuts out with a high limit light on the panel.

Daughter has had this a few times lately. The repair guy said it is a common complaint and heating cuts out if the pressure is too high. There should be a pressure let off button where you set it etc (he had to take the bottom front panel off. He couldn't reach it so he turned the boiler off and let some water out of the radiator near the boiler until the pressure went below 1 bar. Worked perfect for a couple of days then went again. He came out and did the same. This time has lasted for three months (touch wood). May not be the same but it may cure it.
Please remember I am not a boiler repairer just passing on some info that worked for her. Make sure the mains are off before removing any panels

[wingstoo]

Sounds like there is water getting into the heating system from the hot water system via the Small plate heat exchanger. look underneath the front and see the pipes going in, there should be three bigger ones, 22mm and two smaller ones, 15mm and a gas one.

Of the two smaller ones one will have a quarter turn valve, turn this off and see if the water pressure in the system stay steady.

You might get heating but no hot water, but at least you will be warm.

[Waterworx]

Sounds like there is water getting into the heating system from the hot water system via the Small plate heat exchanger.

Would that not keep the pressure up permanently?

Had a few of our older boilers with similar symptons in the past year.

Either way, I'd be on the phone to EON, kicking up a stink and threatening to stop contract (assuming you have a contract with them). Check the T&C we have be there pretty prompt.

[wingstoo]

Not necessarily, it would drop pressure when the hot tap was opened

[wingstoo]

Also if the water pressure in the mains water supply is 3 bar it will only get that high in the heating system until it is heated or the tap is opened

[Waterworx]

Not necessarily, it would drop pressure when the hot tap was opened

Sorry, missed Whittler Kev's post. Must stop using my phone for t'net and just steal the lappy from the GF

[Asa Samuel]

Time for a brew I think...

[wingstoo]

A few places to learn about what might be happening, looks like you aren't the first with this problem

http://www.diyfaq.org.uk/plumbing/combi.html

http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=200197

http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=126024

Hope they help