Vokera Linea 28 boiler

[jem16]

I have a Vokera Linea 28 combi boiler which was fitted in Nov 99 and has never given me a problem until a few weeks ago. One morning I went to use the shower and noticed there was no hot water - heating had been on earlier and shower used earlier too. Checked the boiler and it showed error code 03 - check fan/flue assembly and reset as per code 01. Reset worked and evrything was fine for about 24 hours until error code appeared again. This time it would not reset so I called out British Gas as the central heating is covered under Homecare agreement.

Engineer decided it needed a new fan which was eventually fitted 3 days later. The boiler would not reset with new fan fitted and the engineer then decided that it was the circuit board. He tested the circuit board with his meter and said that no power was getting to the fan. New circuit board was fitted the next day and engineer said that it was definitely the problem as circuit board was black on the back.

The boiler was fine for almost two weeks when it locked out again with same error code. I got British Gas out again who checked it all over but could find nothing specific. I had also told them that in the few days prior to this lockout I had noticed that it was taking longer than normal for hot water to come through. The engineer said that he had increased something to do with the ignition to make sure boiler ignited right away as it was a bit on the low side (not sure what this was) and had also made sure the flue was perfectly clean and unobstructed. That was 10 days ago.

Last night I noticed it had locked out again - same error code of 03. I have reset it and it's working fine at the moment. I have called British Gas out again as obviously the problem is still there.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what might be the problem as I'm not convinced British Gas seem to know.

 

[DP]

What you need is a proper gas engineer (proper gas engineers with British/ Scottish gas ignore that remark). What you have been getting is numpties who are part changers. They are running out of ideas on what else to change. So the peace of mind you had in mind is fast becoming a sore head.

I would get on the blower and kick up some stink and demand you get a proper heating engineer instead of a fast tracker from crash course in part changing.

By the way, a boiler service (as described in the manual) would go a long way. Lack of service could possibly be the root cause of your troubles.

 

[jem16]

I did kick up a fuss a few weeks ago when they made a complete mess of the original repair. I now have contact details for the regional manager.

As to service it has been serviced very year under the Homecare agreement. However I have my doubts as to exactly what that means other than sticking some tubes on it to check its output.

Any ideas as to the problem?

 

[gas4you]

Without being there, I would assume that they have replaced the fan, but have not checked/cleaned the air tubes or venturis they connect to.

It could also be an intermittent fault on the APS.

I don't know what the engineer adjusted to make it fire up quicker/stronger, as it clearly stated in the MI's that the 'soft light' procedure is non-adjustable.

As you are in Glasgow, why not contact DP from his profile, pay him to fix it, then send the bill to BG as they seem unable to do so as per your contract terms.

 

[jem16]

Without being there, I would assume that they have replaced the fan, but have not checked/cleaned the air tubes or venturis they connect to.

Fan has been replaced. I will ask about the tubes when engineer turns up.

It could also be an intermittent fault on the APS.

What's an APS?

I don't know what the engineer adjusted to make it fire up quicker/stronger, as it clearly stated in the MI's that the 'soft light' procedure is non-adjustable.

I have no idea. Again I will try to ask.

As you are in Glasgow, why not contact DP from his profile, pay him to fix it, then send the bill to BG as they seem unable to do so as per your contract terms.

That might be my next step. I will see what today's engineer does. If not a lot I will be contacting the regional manager again. If that doesn't fix it I will contact someone else as you say.

 

[BingoBongo]

ask for the tsm to attend.what area glasgow are u?

 

[jem16]

ask for the tsm to attend.

What is a tsm? If it's technical services manager he was here at the last visit to oversee the engineer. His answer was that it was difficult to determine fault as system was working at the time.

what area glasgow are u?

Rutherglen

 

[RHS]

checked/cleaned the air tubes or venturis they connect to.

This is where I would have gone first, if he had the fan of it would have taken him 1 minute to clean the venturi, with the 28 code 03 its most likely to be that.

Does not require any part replacement and not that much work really 15 mins tops.

I think all BG do to "service" boilers is stick there flue gas analyser in the flue if it reads in the green thats it service complete.

BG is a total rip off.

 

[davebgas]

Far too many clowns at the company making us all look bad... I've had a few of these that just need a proper good clean, but agree the parts changers are out in force at the minute, don't get me started about one on our patch with a Vaillany 242 and the £600+ worth of parts he ordered for me.... which it needed none...

Not all us BG lot are muppets!

 

[RHS]

Not all us BG lot are muppets!

This is true but most of the good ones have left and started up ACS centres, plumbing shops etc.

It does not bother me about the muppets though as I get so much work from them after BG customers get p1ssed off.

 

[jem16]

checked/cleaned the air tubes or venturis they connect to.

This is where I would have gone first, if he had the fan of it would have taken him 1 minute to clean the venturi, with the 28 code 03 its most likely to be that.

I will make that suggestion when the engineer turns up - that is if he is any good.

Does not require any part replacement and not that much work really 15 mins tops.

A pcb was also replaced. Could this fault have burned it out in the first place?

I think all BG do to "service" boilers is stick there flue gas analyser in the flue if it reads in the green thats it service complete.

I do believe you are correct.

BG is a total rip off.

I wasn't happy going with BG either. However I wanted reassurance that if anything went wrong with my central heating I would be able to get it fixed right away. I am now beginning to think that was not a great idea.

 

[jem16]

Not all us BG lot are muppets!

Can you please send me one that isn't then.

 

[davebgas]

I've forever got them on my back about prodouctivitity, but I prefer to actually fix the problem or at LEAST have a bloody good look into whats caused it, we all know there are some faults out there that are so bizzare it takes us some time, and the odd dash of blind faith.... gets on my nerves though when people call us and tar us with the same brush.... had one bloke calling me worse than anything cos he had a nugget before me.
Suppose its warranted some of the time though, bad press is always more appealing than good press. especially with BG.

 

[davebgas]

Pay for me to come to bonny scotland

 

[gas4you]

As I always say on here, with any organisation as big as BG you are always going to get a fair amount of muppets working for them. Especially if most are pressurised with targets etc.

I doubt any of the BG boys on here worry about targets, only doing a good job. If any were BG muppets they would be posting here.

I agree bad news is good news in any trade or business.