Ishapoor Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Dear All I'm having a slight problem with my boiler at home, and having had an extremely unfortunate experience with 'Pimlico Plumbers' here in London, I was after some savvy advice regarding the above. Basically the combi works fine with regards to heating, but it's started being funny about firing for the hot water... Hopefully those in the know will know what I'm on about. Essentially it's trying to fire up to get the job done, but takes several goes/generally have to switch the boiler off then on again and repeat until it fires properly. I have a feeling that the problem was solved by fitting some rather simple switch eighteen months back, but not 100%. I just dont want another muppet turning up immediately saying that i need a new boiler (this unit is NOT that old) without even looking at it, so would very much appreciate some advice! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 ouch pimlico plumbers sounds pricy, sure its a switch but you'll need one of the plumbers to turn up its after 4pm so most should have finished work for the day so you shouldn't have long to wait Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-oXo- Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Sounds like you'll be needing a variable pressure applicator to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishapoor Posted March 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Thanks guys-should also have said if anyone knows of a reliable bloke within striking distance of SW8, that'd be great... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-oXo- Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Thanks guys-should also have said if anyone knows of a reliable bloke within striking distance of SW8, that'd be great... Here's a really good variable pressure applicator with multi uses. Noticed a few boiler blokes on here tho so im sure someone will give you a serious answer soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myzeneye Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 hi mate...just got in from work...give me time to get me boots off and some tea down me neck and ill talk you through it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bothbarrels Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 I had a similar problem, turned out to be the jet was blocked with hard residu, (apparently its the bit that the gas/fuel goes through into the heater before it's ignited. BB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silhouette Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 If it works fine on the heating side, then the water flow switch may be at fault. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishapoor Posted March 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Will be by the boiler in an hour and a bit if thats of help-cheers all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myzeneye Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 (edited) could be the "aqua sensor " as they like to call it...flow switch sensor to you and me... do you have any of the manuals at home.... if you have the installation and service manual it will help in trying to explain stuff over the net... easier to pont things out when you have a picture and numbered parts diagrams etc... if you can, get hold of a multi meter on your way home too...you gonna need to measure some resistances etc....on dhw ntc thermistor, flow switch etc etc.... report back with following info.... when you turn on a hot tap, does the fan start (youll hear it) ? does the ignition start clicking/sparking ? im on call so may not be able to reply till later just re-read your post...you say it "tries to fire up"... are you getting fan and ignition sparking but no combustion when you create a hot water demand ...? Edited March 9, 2010 by myzeneye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myzeneye Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 (edited) Will be by the boiler in an hour and a bit if thats of help-cheers all! anyone else thinking he's stood next to that boiler waiting like a lost puppy ? hahahaea im off out on call pal... will check in later.... dead boiler and moaning council tennnant permitting ... Edited March 9, 2010 by myzeneye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin2 Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 then if it`s the turbomax vuw 242/282 it will be the diveter valve more than likely,when you lower the black panel on the front the diverter is the big brass thing on the right ,on the diverter there is is a micro switch it is black or light blue ,when you turn the hot tap the diverter arm comes down and touches the micro switch if it doesn't its gone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishapoor Posted March 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 It is a 242/282... Latest is heating all still great, just tried hot tap in kitchen and then 'whir,' 'whir' 'whir' then sort of a click of an attempted 'fire up' then it fails and the 'whir' sequence takes up again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishapoor Posted March 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 ...and Martin, yes that blue switch I think may have failed a couple of years ago now you mention it! But what should I do-presumably I need an engineer to fit a new one, if indeed that is the prob?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin2 Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 ...and Martin, yes that blue switch I think may have failed a couple of years ago now you mention it! But what should I do-presumably I need an engineer to fit a new one, if indeed that is the prob?? definitely need an engineer to fit a new one if that is the problem,cant say for sure without being there good luck mate,let me know how its going with pimlico. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin2 Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 just thought have you tried phoning vaillant we do instant cover you know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myzeneye Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 get your self stood infront of the boiler with the case off.... tell someone to turn on the hot water..... as the water comes through you should see a push rod come out of the centre of the divertor..it should come out enought to hit the little lever on the micro switch.... if it doesnt then the diaphram in the divertor is perished....this is a replacable part, cheap and not massivley complicated to change if your talked through it... if the rod doesnt come out and hit the micro switch, open the hot water tap so water is running through the boiler, take a small terminal screwdriver and manually press the little lever on the micro switch down....the boiler should fire up.... this is how you will confirm its the diaphragm in the divertor.... if you prove this, we can then talk about swaping the diaphragm.... if however, the push rod in the divertor valve does comes all the way out and hit the micro switch, well, then we need to test the switch.... easiest way would be to isolate the electrcal supply to the boiler, remove the two spade terminals and sjort them out (join them together) with a small link of wire... IMPORTANT... turn on the hot water tap, THEN turn the electrcal supply back on.... if its the micro switch at fault then the boiler should fire up.... if this fails to fire her up, well we need a multi meter and your gonna have to do some resistance checks on some other parts... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myzeneye Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 martin, are you a vaillant eng by any chance ? is so, you might be able to help me out with a pickle mate........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin2 Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 martin, are you a vaillant eng by any chance ? is so, you might be able to help me out with a pickle mate........... yes mate for my sins,whats the prob? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishapoor Posted March 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Kents not that far from London-fancy a cash job?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin2 Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Kents not that far from London-fancy a cash job?! sorry mate i`m so busy got it coming out of me ears at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myzeneye Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 yes mate for my sins,whats the prob? ecotec pro 28...rubber hoses... you know the black nasty crusty splitting issues.... amongst the many , ive fiited a few in loft spaces ....(over bedrooms)...... they have me concerned as ive been out to one not long ago to repair a leak from one of the hoses .... the one in question was litterally days out of warranty and vaillant wouldnt entertain it despite the fact it had obviously been leaking for a while..... they now have copper replacments i believe.... but they are bloody pricey !... dont suppose you have a few sets in the back of your van going begging ? no probs if you cant sort any..i know how the gestapo who check my van stock are...hahaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myzeneye Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 sorry mate i`m so busy got it coming out of me ears at the moment. same here pal......... its been bonkers since before xmas..... with no let up in sight...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishapoor Posted March 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Can either of you guys recommend a decent Londoner?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myzeneye Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Kents not that far from London-fancy a cash job?! go and get yer bloody screw driver out ive just told you what to check... hahaha divertor, push rod...yes/no micro switch manually...yes/no Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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