Potterton boiler not firing up on call

[Beemandave]

I have a potterton profile boiler that stopped firing up but the pump is working on hot water and heating. I checked what I could and found the fuse blown on the pcb (1 amp I think). I called a plumber who fitted a new board. Still not fitting up so he replaced the valve that turns the heat up and down on the boiler. Still not working and said it must be electrical and not something he could do. I called the electrician who checked everything and said nothing is wrong with the electrics maybe the board is faulty but he is not a plumber so best get him back. Are there any things I can try before I start getting prices for a new boiler?

Should have said. It has a new pump fitted and wash flushed out 2 years ago.
Thank you Dave

 

[cross thread]

A good engineer should be able to get this sorted,decen boiler,look on the gas safe register in your area .

 

[Beemandave]

A good engineer should be able to get this sorted,decen boiler,look on the gas safe register in your area .

Thank you. I may just try one more go but I am a bit worried about throwing good money after bad on an old boiler. I have read reports that they are really good boilers as you say.

 

[ericmark]

An electrician is not trained in electronics as standard, there may be many who are, but normally they are only concerned with wiring outside the boiler. A plumber is by definition a worker of lead, trained to repair roofs and wipe lead pipes, although today they tend to gain other skills as well.

A heating and ventilation engineer to be classed an engineer has to train to a higher level, over level 3, and likely has a degree, and so tend to charge more for their time, however they are trained in all aspects of heating and ventilation, both electrical, electronic, and pipe work, although likely not trained how to seal a flat roof or wipe a lead pipe.

Well at least that's the theory, I know the one I use is rather lacking in electrical and electronic knowledge, but since I am an electrical engineer that does not worry me, he knows how my oil boiler works, and how to set it up so it does not cost a fortune in oil. It does seem they specialise in oil, gas, heat pumps or solid fuel in practice, finding one versed in multi-fuel is hard, but they are around.

Fitting a new PCB means it could well have links or dip switches in the wrong places, since the pump is running, it does sound like a boiler problem, but pay peanuts and you get monkeys, I have to accept I can't DIY the boiler repairs, crossing fingers it does not go wrong, as guy I was using has left the area. But you need to find a guy who knows what he is doing, not some one who muddles through.

 

[fixitflav]

I have a potterton profile boiler that stopped firing up but the pump is working on hot water and heating. I checked what I could and found the fuse blown on the pcb (1 amp I think). I called a plumber who fitted a new board. Still not fitting up so he replaced the valve that turns the heat up and down on the boiler. Still not working and said it must be electrical and not something he could do. I called the electrician who checked everything and said nothing is wrong with the electrics maybe the board is faulty but he is not a plumber so best get him back. Are there any things I can try before I start getting prices for a new boiler?

Should have said. It has a new pump fitted and wash flushed out 2 years ago.
Thank you Dave

Some years ago my boiler stopped firing. Took a bit of diagnosing, but it turned out to be one (of 2) solenoids on the gas valve had gone open circuit. Worth checking that, easy enough with a multimeter.

 

[Beemandave]

Some years ago my boiler stopped firing. Took a bit of diagnosing, but it turned out to be one (of 2) solenoids on the gas valve had gone open circuit. Worth checking that, easy enough with a multimeter.

Thanks for this . I can't help but feel it is something like this that is causing the problem

 

[fixitflav]

Thanks for this . I can't help but feel it is something like this that is causing the problem

Found this link which might help.

Potterton Profile gas boiler

Potterton Profile gas boiler. A quick tour plus things to check if yours seems to have stopped working. By Mike the Boilerman

www.miketheboilerman.com

 

[fixitflav]

I checked what I could and found the fuse blown on the pcb (1 amp I think). I called a plumber who fitted a new board.

A new board seems like overkill. Didn't anybody try replacing the fuse?

 

[CBW]

So did the electrician check motorised valves etc?

 

[ianmcd]

I may just try one more go but I am a bit worried about throwing good money after bad on an old boiler.

Which is exactly what you have done by employing idiots, PCBs dont trip fuses so a waste of money replacing it, an electrician should never be allowed near a boiler unless adding controls so more money wasted and as far as the valve that turns the heating up and down, god only knows what that is, get a proper experienced engineer in who knows what they are doing, most will suss that in 30 min, say where in the country you are and someone on here might be able to recommend someone for you

 

[Beemandave]

So did the electrician check motorised valves etc?

No he said he would only check the external wiring as the original/plumber engineer said it was electrical, he found nothing wrong. Update just had someone recommended with a good reputation.

 

[ianmcd]

There is no point even thinking about a new boiler till you get to the bottom of this, the problem is most likely outwith the boiler, on the controls side

 

[Beemandave]

Found this link which might help.

Potterton Profile gas boiler

Potterton Profile gas boiler. A quick tour plus things to check if yours seems to have stopped working. By Mike the Boilerman

www.miketheboilerman.com

This is great thank you

 

[Beemandave]

Update is a heating engineer was recommended and has been and the fan is burnt out (smoking) new one is being ordered.

Thank you all for the help and assistance