Ideal FF240 "clicking" noise for pilot

[lupage80]

Hi,

About two weeks ago (in the coldest weekend of snow this year!) my fan decided to pack up on my Ideal Classic FF240 boiler. Had a RGI come around, install a new fan and service the boiler.

The problem is that now the boiler will sometimes take up to one minute to fully ignite the burners. I can hear the fan come on and the pilot lights and this is what causes the intermittent loud ticking noise, but for some reason the burners dont ignite immediately. The ticking continues until the burners are fully ignited. Never had this problem before and can only assume that something has changed since the fan was fitted.

Anyone got any ideas on what it could be or how to solve?

Thanks,

 

[bobw1956]

gas valve solinoid is on its way out,unfortunately you can not get the solenoid separately for this gas valve,its a new gas valve

And it,s just a coincident,nothing to do with the fan

 

[lupage80]

If the boiler has been lit for a while then i do not have this problem when putting the heating back on, it appears to be the first time that the heating is put on for that day. Do you still think its the solenoid? How much would a new vavle cost to replace?

Could it be that something is blocked as the RGI cleared alot of dirt out when he changed the fan?

 

[45yearsagasman]

gas valve solinoid is on its way out,unfortunately you can not get the solenoid separately for this gas valve,its a new gas valve

The the last thing I would be looking to do is fitting a new gas valve. Get your man to service the boiler correctly, including the pilot assy(which requires the main burner removal) and also the HT lead is routed correctly and take it from there.

 

[lupage80]

thanks for the response. No i wouldnt be looking to do that myself at all as im not gas safe registered.

just wanted an idea of what it could be and potential costs. Also happy to call the RGI back out if it is maybe because of something that was not done properly last time, but if thats the case then wouldnt want to pay for it, if that makes sense.

So you think that maybe he did not proerly service it and muck has got in the pilot assembly?

 

[45yearsagasman]

All I'm saying is that a well serviced boiler should not display the symptoms that yours does. Make of that what you will.

 

[bobw1956]

My money is still on the main gas valve solinoid,as poster has said,"pilot is lit"

 

[lupage80]

Yes Bob you're right the clicking noise is coming from the pilot flame clicking on and off until the burner is fully lit. Could this mean that potentially the gas valve may be blocked and that is why it takes a while to open up?

Why does this problem only occur first thing in the morning and why does it come on straight away if the boiler is warm after it has been on an hour or two previously?

 

[45yearsagasman]

The pilot may well be "lit" but the main solenoid will not open until correct sensing has taken place and only then will the main solenoid open. The clicking continuing indicates a pilot / sensing fault. Before throwing a gas valve at it, get the pilot / ignition /ht lead checked. Gas valves on these rarely "block up" and are very reliable. Hey but what do I know?

 

[rcoverson]

If theboiler hasbeen serviced and thenthe problem gas began chances are its a lose connection to cant remeberof handif it is a flame detection probe. More likely a termocouple been damaged or if the burner assembly was serviced, connections there.

 

[lupage80]

thanks for the replies, will get onto to RGI and see if he can come back to have a look for possible loose connections and properly check the pilot/ht lead

 

[Agile]

I agree.

Its a single ignition/detection electrode and the resistance from tip to PCB must be low.

Gas valve is fine.

Annoying design means pilot assembly has to be removed to check it.

Tony

 

[geoff@cetltd]

The pilot may well be "lit" but the main solenoid will not open until correct sensing has taken place and only then will the main solenoid open. The clicking continuing indicates a pilot / sensing fault. Before throwing a gas valve at it, get the pilot / ignition /ht lead checked. Gas valves on these rarely "block up" and are very reliable. Hey but what do I know?

well, at least you've learned a new word - "sensing"

well done

 

[45yearsagasman]

The pilot may well be "lit" but the main solenoid will not open until correct sensing has taken place and only then will the main solenoid open. The clicking continuing indicates a pilot / sensing fault. Before throwing a gas valve at it, get the pilot / ignition /ht lead checked. Gas valves on these rarely "block up" and are very reliable. Hey but what do I know?

well, at least you've learned a new word - "sensing"

well done

You know what they say about sarcasm being the lowest form of wit, well you've just reached it

 

[nmg196]

Did you ever find the cause of your problem? I've got the exact same thing on the same boiler. I've also recently replaced the fan assembly a couple of months ago but now I've got the clicking problem you describe. Usually it fires up OK but then sometimes the flames go out for a couple of seconds and then immediately relight. I'm not sure the solenoid is holding the valve open permanently? If it was, I'm not sure the gas would go out...

I will call in a 'proper man' for this one, but I like to have an idea of what the problem is so I don't get ripped off for a fictitious problem or have the usual issue of a GSR person saying that I need a whole new boiler (as happened when the fan jammed - which I fixed myself for the cost of the £50 part).