No/low pressure on Potterton Puma 80e combi boiler

dannyJ · 31 Jul 2006

I've had to remove 1 of my radiators in order to plaster a room, and in doing so (apart from getting me and the floor very wet) have managed to stop the hot water from working.

I blead the air out of this one before removing it but haven't touched the others. I realised I maybe should have blead all of them but I'll put it down to ignorance and pure novice factor for now?!

I have since replaced the radiator and the lock-out light on the boiler comes on after about 5 seconds after turning on the hot water. Ater resetting it the same happens. The pressure guage (black hand) reads next to zero. I take it the red hand is some kind of maximum?

Any advice on best thing to do next would be greatly appreciated.

Vic Spanner · 31 Jul 2006

Try here, Its under the F & Q sticky //www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=38904[/url]

dannyJ · 31 Jul 2006

Cheers, I'll give it a go tonight!

dannyJ · 31 Jul 2006

Well I did find the presure valve and increased the pressure but left the valve in the on position some how and managed to blow the heat exchanger.

Called out a local plumber, nice enough bloke, he offered a replacement for around ₤450 but he recommended replacing the boiler for a new, better, more efficient one for ₤1200 all in.

My Puma 80e was installed in 1998 but i've only lived here 2 years.

In your opinion, is it worth replacing the heat exchanger?

cheers.

Agile · 31 Jul 2006

I would be very surprised if you have really have "blown" the heat exchanger!

There are usually many second hand ones available for about £60. For example we have two in stock! Would take about two hours to fit so about £120 labour.

Its your choice, about £200 or less to repair, or what I think is £1200 to replace it with a condensing boiler. But that may be a very budget replacement but if you choose that make sure its power flushed or at least fully guaranteed against dirt in the system. It will be about 15% more efficient which is very important with gas prices doubling every three
years.

Tony Glazier

ChrisR · 31 Jul 2006

DO tell us how the diagnosis of a "Blown" heat exchanger was made, we're all ears!

dannyJ · 1 Aug 2006

Sorry guys, didn't think you'd be on line last night!

I have to confess to leaving the pressure valve in the ON position ($hit) which in turn knackered the heat exchanger (so he said). He did take off the inner front cover and there was water dripping from the exchanger and it did look quite black but I wouldn't know what a broken heat exchanger looked like??

Oh and the electrics were tripped due to the leaking water over the front panel.

So he turned off the gas and hot water supply which was good of him and he didn't charge (he lives and works round corner from my house).

What d'ya reckon?

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No/low pressure on Potterton Puma 80e combi boiler

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