Vaillant HW problem

CaptainDarling · 11 Oct 2009

Hello, model number reads VUW GB 242E

We seem to be having a HW problem, happened twice now, im sure once with, and once without the CH being on - both times have been when wifey was in the shower

didnt believe her the first time

Hot water ran for a while then cut out, left the tap running but it didnt re-ignite. Stopped the shower and re-opened the kitchen tap and it fired up, slowly reduced flow and it cut out, then re-fired, reduced the flow again and it cut, opened the tap fully and it didnt re-ignite. Noticed there is a part that in the boiler that normally raises up and down stayed down

I have no idea on the age of the boiler, and we have lived in the house for two years with no problems (so far

) so im guessing a service should be done anyway?

Any help, advice or a prod in the right direction would be appreciated

CD

twgas · 11 Oct 2009

Sounds like it may be the hot water diaphragm

superdupergasman · 12 Oct 2009

yeah, diaphram or a dicky servo valve

bengasman · 12 Oct 2009

CaptainDarling said:
Hello, model number reads VUW GB 242E

We seem to be having a HW problem, happened twice now, im sure once with, and once without the CH being on - both times have been when wifey was in the shower...

It does sound like the problem is somewhere near the diverter/flowswitch, but hard to tell exactly what without seeing it when the problem occurs.
When is your wife having her next shower?

CaptainDarling · 12 Oct 2009

When is your wife having her next shower?

didnt think it was that kind of forum!!

Assuming the diaphram is the cheapest to start with, are these problems i can fix myself, of do i need to get the help of a local CH guru?

CD

bengasman · 12 Oct 2009

Diaphragm only needs manual dexterity, and mechanical "feel" for things. If you can service a simple car, or change the brakes, you can probably do this.

CaptainDarling · 12 Oct 2009

I should be qualified then, last job i did on my car was bearing change - devil of a job!

Would a manual show procedure and location etc?

CD

mickyg · 12 Oct 2009

its this bit here. Look under boiler. View media item 14953
there are f pipe connections and a screw on the top holding it in. the arrow is pointing to the valve which you use to isolate the water.

bengasman · 12 Oct 2009

Manual won't show you how to change the diaphragm, but if you can work out where it is, the process of changing it is not that complicated in most cases.
Isolate mains water as well as ch water.
drain
remove valve
open it (make sure you somehow mark which way the various bits came out, some things can go in either way, but will only work one way)
exchange wubber
re-assemble.

Agile · 13 Oct 2009

Last one I went to had two of the screws seized solid.

Tony

bengasman · 13 Oct 2009

Not a problem for a car mechanic, Good quality scredriver with undamaged profile, and of course the right size and model.
Push firmly into screwhead, bulge the hardened muscle, and if needed you add some incantations.

Agile · 13 Oct 2009

It was so well seized that it would have been likely to shear off.

I have very strong wrists.

Since the boiler was still working I did not want to risk damaging it and intended to replace whole.

Tony

kevplumb · 13 Oct 2009

orrible screws if they don't want to move

CaptainDarling · 13 Oct 2009

Cheers for the help everyone

CaptainDarling · 20 Oct 2009

Update!!

Fitted the new diaphragm today, signs were not good that this was the cause as it was dated 05 and looked in good condition.

Just watched the boiler control panel as i ran the HW, the light next the the tap symbol flickers then fails to light if the boiler fails to fire - any ideas what this points too?

Cheers

CD

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Vaillant HW problem

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