Baxi sparking on flame sensor - Engineer refuses to call Baxi

[longhousefree]

Hi, I have a Baxi Megalfo Compact which has been locking up with an E133 code. Each time the engineer comes over (about 8x visits now) he takes the cover off and we both stand looking at the thing firing up. Every time I point out the sparks jumping across from the black insulation jacket of the flame sensing electrode to the metal mounting point and suggest "that's weird" should you call Baxi tech support to see if they've seen that before.

But the engineer has another approach, just keep replacing parts. So far we've had new: spark ignition electrode, gas valve, flame sensing (electrode and cable) flame chamber earthing cable. Nothing's changed.

Has anyone seen this before? Any ideas? It feels like there's a huge voltage going down the flame sensing cable the spark is jumping a 4mm gap.

 

[bernardgreen]

Does this "engineer" have a GasSafe registration ? If he hasn't then calling Baxi could land him in trouble if they ask for his registration details.

 

[CountryFan]

Why don’t you call, Baxi? Ask them for a fixed price repair?

 

[kidgreen61]

I once came upon one with that problem, previous idiot had got flame sense cable mixed with ignition cable

 

[JohnD]

Have you been paying him for each futile visit?

 

[longhousefree]

We're on a contract, which has been mainly for servicing but now something has gone wrong it feels like they're not addressing the problem just wildly changing things without getting tech help from the experts. We've had lots of call outs - they've changed all the things listed above. I'm a bit bored of resetting the boiler. Thought I'd ask here to see if I can steer them in the direction of a solution. Thanks for any advice.

 

[longhousefree]

This is the current setup - took a pic on the last visit. The lead cap colours look ass-backwards to every Baxi I've seen online. I don't have a pic of where the leads are connected.

 

[CountryFan]

Thought I'd ask here to see if I can steer them in the direction of a solution. Thanks for any advice.

Sorry but we’re limited as to what we can give out, whether you think it’s to pass it on or not, if it’s out there for anyone, then anyone could use it and do a boiler repair bringing diynot into disrepute. Could you ask for another engineer?

 

[Hairymelon]

I think you’re correct. As I recall the red lead is usually on the right and the spark electrode is on left.you need to be gas registered to take off the combustion door remember

 

[CountryFan]

I think you’re correct. As I recall the red lead is usually on the right and the spark electrode is on left.

I thought this, but not 100%. If you search that boiler, there’s a photo where both sides are red/orange.

 

[Hairymelon]

I would have thought , if I’m right , that t wouldn’t work at all.

 

[Hairymelon]

Yep spark electrode is on the left with the earth tag and should have the black cap.

 

[longhousefree]

Thanks for the heads up, I'll get him back in next week and gently cough "could the cables be plugged in the wrong way round!!"

 

[Razor900]

Much as we aren't supposed to suggest the OP opens the boiler up here can't do much worse than this fitter can he??

 

[JohnD]

We're on a contract, which has been mainly for servicing but now something has gone wrong it feels like they're not addressing the problem just wildly changing things without getting tech help from the experts. We've had lots of call outs - they've changed all the things listed above. I'm a bit bored of resetting the boiler. Thought I'd ask here to see if I can steer them in the direction of a solution. Thanks for any advice.

The contracts manager, or the business owner, ought to be concerned about his profits being eaten away by incompetent parts-slinging.