chateauroux boiler lock out

[Stephen19]

Hello all, I have 'inherited' this boiler and it has started red lining. I mean, it has an intermittent lock out and the red light comes on. It happens around 3-4 times each night and in the morning locks out also. Pressure is around 1 bar. I had it serviced and safety checked 3 weeks ago (all ok) but I don't think this is connected to current fault. Not sure if was working 100% before this as a new property to me.
Anyone know a good service agent for this make of boiler as I think its a bit rare over here in UK?
I spoke to the engineer who serviced it and he was saying I could be in for many 100's £'s as fault could be anything and he is too busy to come and see it right now. Naturally I am quite worried.
Thanks
S

 

[ollski]

Anyone know a good service agent for this make of boiler as I think its a bit rare over here in UK?

Its new to me, are you sure its not chaffeteaux?

 

[chrishutt]

are you sure its not chaffeteaux?

Or even a Chaffoteaux!

 

[ollski]

are you sure its not chaffeteaux?

Or even a Chaffoteaux!

How do you mean chris?...that sounds exactly the same

 

[undercover]

It'll be the gas valve. If i remember correctly, the valve has 3 solenoids and each one is prone to sticking.

 

[namsag]

I think the correct pronunciation is Pileofshite..

 

[Baxmax]

****-a-foe.......Shat-a-foe......Full of Woe....
Bonjoir

 

[Stephen19]

It'll be the gas valve. If i remember correctly, the valve has 3 solenoids and each one is prone to sticking.

Thank you Undercover. Most helpfull start. I shall search internet again for a service engineer with Chaffoteaux (!) experience.

 

[Agile]

These are common boilers in the UK and any competent engineer will be familiar with them.

They were also rebadged by Baxi as a Genesis.

There are three gas valve solenoids, the first is a safety on/off.

The second and third are to give 1/3 and 2/3 gas gas rate.

On heating they only operate on 1/3 and 2/3 gas rate, never full.

On DHW one would expect them to operate on 1/3, 2/3 and full ( but they might only operate on 2/3 and full. )

This means that if either the 1/3 or the 2/3 solenoid is sticking then the boiler will have no gas in some conditions and will lock out if it does not switch to a good solenoid before the lockout time delay of about 5 seconds is reached.

The solenoids should be replaced and they are very cheap as gas valves go but usually if you carefully clean the seals they function fine.

Tony

 

[ollski]

I may be missing something but aren't chaffoteaux a make with 79 different models under their belt?

 

[chrishutt]

On heating they only operate on 1/3 and 2/3 gas rate, never full. On DHW one would expect them to operate on 1/3, 2/3 and full ( but they might only operate on 2/3 and full. )

Not so I'm afraid. The burners fire either at 1/3 or full gas rate. To maintain flow or DHW temperature they switch back and forth between full to 1/3 gas rate.

 

[Stephen19]

On heating they only operate on 1/3 and 2/3 gas rate, never full. On DHW one would expect them to operate on 1/3, 2/3 and full ( but they might only operate on 2/3 and full. )

Not so I'm afraid. The burners fire either at 1/3 or full gas rate. To maintain flow or DHW temperature they switch back and forth between full to 1/3 gas rate.

Im a little confused now but I shall get the engineer to have a look at these solenoids and see if need a clean/replacement.
And are you saying it is 'most likely' that this is the cause, rather than any other common issue?

Thanks again guys.

 

[ollski]

Hello how have we got this far without knowing which model it is?

 

[undercover]

I've got my money on it being the Britony.

Must have fixed half a dozen in the last couple of months. Each time it was the gas valve sticking.

Agree with Chris. They fire at either full rate or a third.

 

[Agile]

I am fairly certain its 1/3 or 2/3 on heating but it may well be 1/3 and full on hot water.

However, the principle is still the same that as far as this OPs fault is concerned it sounds as if its a gas valve sticking.

I have a friend who used to work there giving technical advice but he getting a little forgetful now that he left about five years ago. He has one at home and thought that they were wonderful until it broke down and he spent most of the weekend trying to fix it!

Tony