Help! Ferroli 35c

[dt1977]

Hi, wonder if anyone can help me.
I moved into my apartment just over 2 years ago, it has a Ferroli 35c boiler and up until today I have had no problems with it.

However, today I noticed it sounded like it was on (as if heating was on) and went to check on it, it had error F22 and reset.
I reset it and now it goes through the startup cycle, but then stops, has a spanner symbol showing and thats it.

Just after reseting it I noticed there was a little bit of water dripping from the bottom of it, seems to originate inside the boiler - to be safe I have turned it all off and there is no more visible drips.

I'm guessing over 2 years old so it would be out of warranty? Can a standard plumber fix this or does it have to be British Gas or Ferroli or a specialist?
According to the manual it could be a PCB, how much would it likely cost to get this replaced and is the water likely a sperate problem or would this happen when an error like this occours?

Sorry for all the q's, but I'm useless when it comes to stuff like this.
Many thanks in advance,
DT.

 

[Agile]

From what you have said it could be anything!

You could try a fixed price repair from BG at about £200 or ask for the local Ferolli service agent or a good independent boiler engineer. Dont call a plumber!

It all depends on exactly whats wrong and thats difficult to guess.

We hardly ever have to charge more than about £180 to repair a boiler but it all depends on who you call and whats wrong.

Tony

 

[dt1977]

Thanks Tony,
hopefully someone will be coming out today to have a look at it.
I have noticed that the water that was leaking from the bottom of the boiler (drips) has only happened during or shortly after it has rained (we have had quite severe rain the past few days).
I'm guessing it has come from the flue, which goes directly upwards and out like a chimney (it looks ok, with a flat, almost plate like thing on top).
Or could a excess of rain cause a leak elsewhere?
If it is indeed water damage from a leak in the flue, can the repair people easily find/repair such a leak without having to do major work (especially now as it is dry).
I'm assuming the electrics will now be fried in my boiler, can these be easily replaced?

 

[tonybhoy]

Possibly the AAV on the top left hand side inside the combustion case that's leaking. Not easy to get at but you can replace them at little cost however if the water drops onto the gas control module it fries it,that's what the spanner symbol is indicating

£185 including vat (trade) for the part plus fitting or Ferrolli do a fixed price repair for £300.

Best of luck.

 

[dt1977]

Thanks Tony,
I had the Phoenix Gas Energy people out today, when he took it apart it was indeed rain water leaking from the flue (for a long time he says) and it has fried the black box (PCB?) - something like £250 for the part?
He said that I should get the flue fixed before calling Ferroli to repair the boiler (as he said Ferolli would be cheaper - yet when I phoned them the other day it was something like £225+vat for the call out alone!).
As it was installed before I bought the place I had to do a bit of hunting as to find the installer and have phoned them (is there a warranty on a flue?).
Now just waiting on them to get back to me regarding coming out, fixing the flue and then whatever needs done on the boiler itself.
Am I looking at £600/£700 at least here?
Blooming great birthday present this!

 

[tonybhoy]

Could be. Doubt you'll have a warranty on the flue in any event wind or adverse weather could have caused it to leak or simply poor installation or flue materials. Big problem for you is proving any of the above and apportioning blame.

This boiler is carp mate. The electrics sit right underneath the combustion chamber where it joins and they are directly underneath the condensate sump so any water ingress is going to land right on the main electrical components.

If I were you I would bite the bullet and replace it,if you can afford to that is. Six hundred quid gaurantees nothing and you could easily end up with the same problem again.

How old is the boiler,five years approx?

You could always consider BG's homecare contract which is approx £27 p/month and this figure also includes the repair of the boiler.

 

[dt1977]

The boiler is at most 3 to 3 1/2 years old, installed just before I bought the place (2 1/4 years ago).
Unfortunately I cannot afford to bite the bullet right now and get a new boiler (in fact any work being done right now is going straight on my credit card).
It seems the original installers have decided not to call back today - if I cannot get them and have to go another direction can another person diagnose/fix a flue they haven't installed or would they end up just installing a new one of their own?
Really doing my head in as god knows how long we are gonna be without heating and hot water now.

 

[dt1977]

Unfortunately I cannot go for the BG option as I live in N.Ireland and as far as I am aware its all Phoenix Natural Gas over here.

 

[tonybhoy]

Personally I wouldn't touch the flue (job) with a bargepole however the vertical flue kit will cost around the £100 mark (depending on the length-might be more if you need a flue extension)plus fitting which will depend on access etc you might have to allow for a scaffold for example.

Might not even be rainwater that is causing the problem, the flue could be too long and it is condensate that is running back down and into the boiler

However if it is rainwater then that suggests a new flue is required because they are sealed units at the terminal end or perhaps a joint is loose and the water is running down the side of the flue then getting into the flue at the loose joint. Unlikely though, cause the boiler would probably not have worked in that scenario.

Then of course you are going to have to repair the boiler electrics on top of the above.

Best of luck.

Tony.

 

[numpty1]

this is common on vertical ferrolli flues,the water is running down past the seal on the storm collar,also the vertical adaptor has a rubber seal which can get dislodged and allow the water into the cc.you could try alan young at boiler specialists he used to be a service agent for them.he is based in jordanstown reasonable rates as well.avoid pheonix/heat most of those boys have little or no experience repairing these probs.would like to help but am fully booked

 

[dt1977]

Cheers Numpty,
I have found the number for Boiler Specialists and will try contacting that Alan Young fella in the morning.

 

[tonybhoy]

Make sure that it's not the AAV that's leaking inside the combustion chamber if it isn't then make sure it's replaced along with the other work.

Regards,

Tony.

 

[dt1977]

Thanks guys for the help.
Got Boiler Specialists out, they did a great job at a great price - replacing the PCB and came out quickly a 2nd time when I found that my hot water temp wasn't rising above 30.

I called out the installers (Mayne Gas) to come check my flue for leaks, they came out (without a big set of ladders to be able to check the terminal end on the roof) and checked just above the boiler and in the attic (saying they found nothing). They told me they would send someone out the next day between 8.30 and 9 (so I had to take the morning off), not only did they not appear then, they didn't appear at all that day (despite being promised someone WOULD DEFINTELY be there that day after a phone call), in fact they haven't appeared at all (now almost a week later).

Needless to say I am not impressed and won't be recommending them.
Its rained a few times since then and I've had no drips from the boiler until today when we had torrential rain again, no drips straight away but it seems a few hours after the rain it starts to drip. Seems like the drips only happen when there has been a lot of rain.

Numpty, you were great in recommending Boiler Specialists, do you or anyone know of anyone that I could call that would do a full inspection/repair of the flue that is near the Lisburn area?
Thanks again guys,
DT.

 

[tonybhoy]

You need to watch that gas control module mate,any water on it and it will fry.

Thanks for the update.

Cheers.

Tony.

 

[numpty1]

Joe Nelson in lisburn,he may be able to help you.