Boiler issues

Sparkingchip:

After eight years it’s halfway through its life. 

So it has a 15 year warranty then?


There is such a lot to go wrong in a modern boiler, especially combi. They are noisy too. I shall stick with my ancient cast iron one even though it is less efficient.

AJJewsbury:

I'd be slightly wary of lubricating a boiler fan - these day's they're often located in the 'outgoing' side of the airway (so that the boiler operates at below atmospheric pressure, so any leaks in the seals mean air from the room leaks in rather than fumes leaking out into the room) - but that means they're in the full exhaust - so likely very high temperatures to deal with (even modern boilers aren't always in condensing mode) as well as chemical attack from NOx and other products of combustion.

   - Andy.

That design sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.


Boiler Fan Repair Ideal Gloworm Bosch Worcester send £3 to moscowgaff@gmail.com for bearing kit - Bing video

Z.

Zoomup:

My friend's Netaheat boiler fan motor is external to any damaging air flow or fumes.

FA 110 Potterton Netaheat 4095681 409568 409550 409563 Compatible (euroboilerparts.co.uk)


Z.

Hi Zoom, the Netaheat, apart from a few late models, contains asbestos and can be found on this list https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/landlords/070612-gas-asbestos-materials.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiel8Sc_enuAhWxWhUIHV4CBHMQFjAAegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw0LS56saUIvVmXYE184zEMW

Also it is a positive pressure boiler, the fan pressurises the whole case, so it is vitally important to check the case seals, else products of combustion could enter the property. See

 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/media/2010/tb-006-industry-guidance-checking-seals-on-rs-positive-pressure-appliance-cases.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjJi8zv--nuAhVwUhUIHZgLBgIQFjAAegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw3w9_uDiJylqLDaiV-MCmPA

GP:

We have a Potterton Combi boiler, it was losing pressure. Engineer replaced the diverter valve and said it was corroded. It worked fine for a few days before making a loud banging noise for s few minutes which stopped when the sink taps were on. It was ok for a couple of days and then went off completely. The engineer says the circuit board needs replacing but I'm wondering what caused the issue with the circuit board & whether it will just blow again. I think the boiler is about 8 years old. Any advice welcome. 

Loud banging noises sometimes mean there is a problem with the circulation around the boiler/system. If water isn't flowing fast enough through the heat exchanger, water boils and turns to steam causing the banging in the pipes, you often hear "kettling" first like a kettle warming up. Then hopefully the overheat stat cuts off the gas.

so could be pump, PCB supply to the pump, blocked heat exchanger or sometimes all the rads have been turned off and there's no bypass.

davezawadi (David Stone):

Vaillant offers 10 years full warranty on boiler installs by their approved installers (parts and labour). Sounds good, and my one about 15 years still works fine and no problems to date. Probably blow up tomorrow though!

Hello Dave


Yes but, you have to have them do a regular service.


Hope your boiler doesn't blow up!!


regards, Tom

OlympusMons:

Zoomup:

My friend's Netaheat boiler fan motor is external to any damaging air flow or fumes.

FA 110 Potterton Netaheat 4095681 409568 409550 409563 Compatible (euroboilerparts.co.uk)


Z.

Hi Zoom, the Netaheat, apart from a few late models, contains asbestos and can be found on this list https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/landlords/070612-gas-asbestos-materials.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiel8Sc_enuAhWxWhUIHV4CBHMQFjAAegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw0LS56saUIvVmXYE184zEMW

Also it is a positive pressure boiler, the fan pressurises the whole case, so it is vitally important to check the case seals, else products of combustion could enter the property. See

 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/media/2010/tb-006-industry-guidance-checking-seals-on-rs-positive-pressure-appliance-cases.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjJi8zv--nuAhVwUhUIHZgLBgIQFjAAegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw3w9_uDiJylqLDaiV-MCmPA

Thanks for that info Olympus. My old school friend has not as yet suffered any long term health problems by occasionally accessing his old gas boiler. The main circuit board can be accessed without need to dismantle any asbestos containing parts. The electric fan is external to any flue exhaust routes. He has used a 1970s gas room heater for decades. He has not serviced this and the flames lick up the "mantles" in varying colours of yellow and blue. I told him that the room needs a permanent air brick to allow fresh air into it. He said that air comes in through the cracks in the floorboards. (Through the carpet?). But the CO alarm does not sound. Once the children dislodged the gas pipe which is at floor level whilst playing. Gas escaped and smelt horrible. I advised some form of boxing in for the pipe to protect it. David just returned it to its tap connection and retightened the nut. Nothing else.  He and his family survive more by luck that judgement.


Z.