boiler keeps on cutting out

[sam45p]

I have a valliant boiler vcw gb 221H, which was working fine until a couple of weeks ago, when i changed the bleeder valves and a couple of thermostats, at the same time we took the oportunity to flush out the system and add a rust inhibitor, anyway since then the central heating has been causing problems, hot water is fine, whenever i switch on the CH 4 of the 5 radiators come on and one remains cold at the same time the boiler runs for about 5 minutes after which it cuts out, the pilot light stays on, I have now shut off the 3 of the 4 working radiators using the thermostatic valves, the radiator which previously did not heat up now works but the problem with the boiler cutting out still remains. at the same time i have noticed that the temperature gauge on the boiler is not working I have spoken to some corgi registered plumbers who have all said that I need to replace the boiler, great expense, I have spoken to people at valiant who have said that there is still life left in the old dog but i need a corgi registered plumber to ring them and they will talk the plumber thru what needs to be done.. has anybody had any similar problems, if so could you please advise

 

[ChrisR]

SOunds like trapped air. Take V's advice!

 

[Agile]

It seems that this is a DIY job that has gone wrong but you dont now want to pay to have it professionally fixed!

All these plumbers you have spoken to have presumably not been paid and they may have picked up on the situation and just tell you to have a new boiler fitted.

Any professional will be able to sort it out but it seems that you dont want to pay and dont have the skills yourself.

Tony

 

[sam45p]

just to put you into the picture, all the plumbers have been paid, it is just that this sort of job is from what the plumbers are saying fiddly or time consuming they would rather push some of the offers they have e.g. a new boiler with a five year warrenty this for them is more lucrative i don't see why i should have to go to the expense to buy a new boiler when this can be put right, at this stage the plumbers i have contacted are very busy and they can cherry pick the jobs they want, what i will not do is accept that the problem is beyond repair so as to make the boiler obselete, i am willing to pay for the job to be done but i will not be held to ransom and do what they want me to do.

 

[Agile]

If you search for a boiler engineer rather than a plumber you might have more luck.

Some of us specialise in repairing boilers rather than fitting them! Yours is quite repairable as its a solidly made design.

Its not clear on what basis you paid these "plumbers" but I dont think they deserve to be paid if they come on the pretext of going to repair the boiler and then chicken out and try to encourage you to the more lucrative replacement.

Its usually possible to gauge the situation over the telephone without a visit!

Tony

 

[Slugbabydotcom]

I know where this guy is at!

A couple of years ago I got a call from a guy who was given my number by my local parts supplier. He had tried over 20 Corgi's from the yellow pages and various other sources. Now I am not brilliant with these old vcws but I know my way about more now thanks to this site and 'DP' who posts here in particular. I found a blockage on one of the servo pipes but thats another story.

Point is that there arent many people about who can or are prepared to fix boilers, especially old ones such as these. I do sympathise with your plight. I can only suggest you look up a local parts suppliers and ask them if they can recommend someone who comes in regularly for Vaillant spares

 

[sam45p]

Thanks for the encouragement, the person who originally fitted the bleeder valves and new thermostats is a plumber, who will not touch the boiler as he is not corgi registered, he has in the past replaced the heat exchanger at a very reasonable cost, when other where telling me to replace the boiler, i therefore trust him implicitly, he has now managed to get me in touch with a corgi registered plumber who will come out to have a look at the problem, and hopefully put it right, so I am pleased at least we are getting somewhere, getting back to the boiler problems, the corgi registered plumbers all said there is a blockage in the boiler, i presume they mean the servo pipes, i am at a loss to understand that even if they are aware of the cause of the problem, why they are unwilling to tackle it, it is not that I will not pay them, but hey its their choice, they don't have to take on the job. All I require is some honest constructive feedback from these persons, not just a casual 'replace it' answer, anyway somebody will come to have a look at it next week, once again thanks for the advice, it is appreciated

 

[Slugbabydotcom]

Theres an air vent on the boiler and IIRC its 'over the back' at the right hand side. You should find a small screw cap, loosen it to let any air out.