Problem with Ideal boiler

[wipeout]

Recently, a problem has developed with my Ideal icos HE18 boiler. There seems to be 2 things at play:

1) The boiler switches on seemingly randomly when there is no demand for water from the programmer. When this happens the "burner" light is lit or flashing and the pump next to the hot water cylinder is on.

2) Occasionally, a reasonably loud grinding/banging sound can be heard from the boiler which lasts about 20-30 seconds.

Although these problems exist, the boiler is supplying hot water.

I have a few questions regarding this:

1) What sort of problem could this be? Are there any simple fixes? If not, how expensive is this likely to be to fix?

2) I have no knowledge of boilers/plumbing. Any ideas of how to find a good engineer to fix this (other than randomly looking through yellow pages or googling)? Asked a few friends/family but haven't had much luck.

Thanks

 

[45yearsagasman]

Do you have anything like these. View media item 38425 View media item 44939

 

[wipeout]

Yes, there are 2 of them in the cylinder cupboard.

These are the ones that have been fitted.

 

[CBF]

danfoss valves & an icos boiler, someone really did have it in for you didn't they

 

[45yearsagasman]

One of those valves will either be seized, or the internal microswitch is permanently closed, thus powering the boilers switched live.

Remove the head and check that the spindle moves freely by hand. You'll need a meter, and an understanding of S plan wiring to identify the faulty valve.

 

[Agile]

Or engage a competent engineer!

The grinding noise might indicate a failing pump.

Complete valves are about £80 although usually just the head or body can be changed.

Pumps are £90-£150.

Plus of course something for the engineer!

Tony

 

[wipeout]

The noise comes from the boiler and not the central heating pump, unless you mean a pump inside the boiler?

Any ideas of how to find a good engineer to fix this (other than randomly looking through yellow pages or googling, which I don't want to do)? Asked a few friends/family but haven't had much luck.