Ignitor burnt

cirks · 30 Aug 2012

Just discovered we've no hot water. Boiler is Potterton Promax 24 HE Plus Checked the obvious things like boiler/water pressure etc. They're fine and no error codes on boiler. So, tried a reset and the boiler fan starts up but no ignition. So, moved to next step of investigation (after some Googling and dismissing condensate trap etc) and took front cover off and found the following
As you can see, the ignitor looks burnt. There's white powdery stuff in the boiler case (from the ignitor?) and I'm not sure about the condition of the top of the door/boiler shell)
[img]http://thumbsnap.com/s/4Y49SrdQ.jpg[/img]|http://thumbsnap.com/4Y49SrdQ

[img]http://thumbsnap.com/s/B1W0NM1l.jpg[/img]|http://thumbsnap.com/B1W0NM1l

[img]http://thumbsnap.com/s/ROeVWslp.jpg[/img]|http://thumbsnap.com/ROeVWslp

Can someone suggest root cause possibly? I'll obviously get a GasSafe person to do whatever's required but would welcome some info. Probably not related but recently had new bathroom fitted so water off at different times and boiler drained down etc - Megaflow system too.

Many thanks in advance

stardanny · 31 Aug 2012

Hi.

Combustion product leaking from heat exchanger seal.

Switch off and do not use the boiler till you get the gas safe man in. It will required a service.

Dan.

cirks · 31 Aug 2012

Thanks Dan.
Someone coming later today to look but at least I could give a heads-up as far as parts etc!

Agile · 31 Aug 2012

It definately needs a combustion seal and a new ignition unit.

This is what can happen if you dont get your boiler serviced regularly.

Its apparently a common fault on that model.

A DIYer should not be opening the cover on that model!

Tony

cirks · 31 Aug 2012

wrists accordingly slapped

Cover off is the furthest I was going with it.

This all serves us right for having "get boiler serviced" on the whiteboard in the kitchen for too long now and not getting around to getting it done

cirks · 5 Sep 2012

Thanks for previous advice - I now need a bit more!

The igniter and seal have been replaced and boiler serviced. However, it now seems to fire up, fan cut in etc and then it all cuts out again after a few seconds. The plumber spoke to Potteron (he's more of a Worcester man etc) and they recommended adjusting the gas valve. This he did and the boiler was sitting perfectly at 20mb and worked fine. Unfortunately, it failed to fire up again this morning and there are the same "start then stop after around 3 secs" symptoms.
The plumber will be coming back but for those of you who know this boiler or can comment on the possible cause, I'd appreciate your help/input.

Thanks

Agile · 5 Sep 2012

There can be many causes and I hope he has a flue gas analyser to set it up properly?

Looks like a big ipad with tubes going to the boiler ???

Did he check the electrodes?

Tony

cirks · 5 Sep 2012

Very good questions - ones I can ask him when he returns. Unfortunately, I wasn't around while some of the servicing/checks were being done. I know the guy well so I don't have an issue with asking him. I'll update here asap.
Thanks again

rojaca · 14 Sep 2012

can I state for the record that faulty combustion door seals are not a common fault on this model at all.

cirks · 14 Sep 2012

rojaca said:
can I state for the record

Please do - and you did

rojaca · 1 Oct 2012

hi cirks. as your other post has been locked, could you tell us what the outcome with your boiler was in the end, if it has been rectified at all.

cirks · 1 Oct 2012

Hi - yes, pity the other post was locked - seemed to me a more sensible thing to do was for mods to remove the offending post rather than prevent me giving any update!

Anyway, the dad of a lad I coach came round to check over the flue and see what the issue was (he is a gas safe boiler man too!). Potterton were talking rubbish and the flue was absolutely fine. However, the brand new gas valve that they fitted hadn't been set up properly and was overgassing by around 100% - It was quite interesting seeing the figures on the iPhone app when looking at the gas meter and usage!
Anyway, cutting a long story short, everything adjusted correctly, and boiler fired perfectly and (hopefully not tempting fate) has been fine ever since.

Thanks for your input and interest shown.
J

Agile · 1 Oct 2012

So did he set it up with the flue gas analyser?

cirks · 1 Oct 2012

rojaca · 2 Oct 2012

humble pie required by me then. really doesn't say much about the attending engineer! really rather embarrasing. can only say that I couldn't imagine one of our engineers not knowing how to set up a g.v! ducking fimwit!

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Ignitor burnt

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