Ideal Classic FF240 boiler firing up but not fully

Joined
22 Nov 2019
Messages
9
Reaction score
3
Country
United Kingdom
Hi guys,

I have attached a pic of the issue.

Could do with some advice please. Apologies in advance for long post.

Boiler was making a horrible sound which sounded like 2 live wires connecting. When this noise started the flame would reduce massively and tilt to the left as you look in the view glass.

I called out a Gas Safety Engineer last week to try to resolve the issue. He used the tester thing but was unable to source what was causing the issue but did a minute soldering of a 'dry joint' to the PCB board. He said that he couldn't work out what the issue was as it was not happening when he was there and was intermittent. I showed him videos I'd taken of the boiler flame dropping when the noise started. He didn't think it was the gas valve as the noise was intermitten and his tester didn't pick up any issues but said it cost about £270-£300 to replace and fit.

I paid him his charge for the job and was optimistic that the boiler would be fixed.

The boiler continued to make the noises which he told me to ignore but then seemed to settle down and despite the flame reducing and veering to the left, would kick in again. The horrible noise also stopped but the flame continued to do its thing.

Problem now is that I have no hot water or heating as for the past x3 days, the boiler will fire up but the flame is only part of the flame and again veering to the left and the flame will not kick in fully. The horrible noise has gone as well.

I need some pointers please re what the issue could be so I am prepared because I don't want to be hit with another high charge. I don't have issues paying providing it gets fixed.

I've contacted Ideal Classic for some advice re what could be causing the issue and they said they didn't know what it could be as it is an old boiler.

It is literally like the boiler is not firing on all cylinders. Could it be a blockage causing this? Do you think a service and cleaning of the part where the flame by a Gas Safety Engineer may do the trick? Or do you think it may need a new part? I've had a look at the help guide of the manual but am struggling to work out the solution as this issue is not listed as a potential problem. I have searched online but again this issue is not coming up where the flame is part on.

I know this may sound silly but as a female, I am nervous and worry I am going to get ripped off by Engineers who know that I don't know much about boilers. I also don't want to be constantly spending money on repairs and call-out charges.

I have a timer control which is placed near the tank and immersion heater. I have tried both the timer mode and constant mode to see if it may have been related to that but it definitely isn't.

I will appreciate any advice that I can get please.

Thank you.
 

Attachments

  • 20191116_173151.jpg
    20191116_173151.jpg
    62.4 KB · Views: 343
Last edited:
Sponsored Links
You have one of the most reliable and easiest boilers to work on ever made, tell us your post code and hopefully someone on here will be able to sort it for you, I know what the fault is but site rules prevent me from telling you , not a big deal for a competent gas engineer that wont need what you call a tester
 
Hi ianmcd,

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it.

I don't feel comfortable giving my postcode on a public forum but I live in Staffordshire.

I respect that you can't tell me what the fault is but could you give me an idea of what sort of price bracket I'm looking at to resolve the issue please so I can brace myself if am going to take a hit, lol.

Thanks
 
Just a quick update. I now have a full flame on in viewglass. The part flame came on initially and then I heard a click click sound come on as though it was trying to ignite the flame. It did this a few times and the full flame came on. I thought I'd update you, ianmcd, just in case it may change the outcome.

Thank you
 
Sponsored Links
Completely understand the post code bit but as you have said you are in Staffordshire maybe someone on here could recommend someone, sorry the site rules do not allow us to give advice on these things, not a big job, but sorry I never give price advice on here , hopefully someone else that is in your area will jump in and help you out, if they are members of the CC I am happy to tell them what the fault is
 
ianmcd - Thank you so much for getting back to me and being so honest about things. Your advice and input is very much appreciated
 
It really just needs a proper service by someone that knows what they are doing, not someone who will just poke a flue gas analyser in the flue , a full strip down service will sort your problem, no parts needed, call Ideal and ask if they could do it, that way you will get a guarantee, but a decent RGI would sort your problem very easily
 
I did ring Ideal and they said they didn't know what the issue could be and because of the age of the boiler, they wouldn't consider coming out.

I am waiting for my friend to pass me a couple of numbers for Gas Safety Engineers he has used in the past who he rates as decent. I will show whoever turns up your posts.

Btw, that tester thing that was used by the Engineer was used on both the pcb board and the gas valve part and I think it had an lcd screen so it could give some readings. Should have asked him what it was.

I probably shouldn't confess this but in frustration I tapped the gas valve bit a few times and the pcb board cover with a wooden spoon handle earlier this week when it stopped working and last night cos I was tearing my hair out. Bizarre thing is that both times the following day, the boiler started working. I made sure that my carbon monoxide detector is in the kitchen though! I won't be doing it again though as it is not the remote control that you tap when the batteries are low, lol.

I really can't thank you enough for being so kind to respond back to my posts
 
He was using a multi-meter , which is the correct thing to do so sorry for thinking it was a FGA, too many rely on FGA readings these days
 
You're the expert in your field and you know what other things gas engineers use nowadays, so need to apologise at all.
 
Hiya guys,

Apologies for late reply. Been a busy day.

Cheshire is a bit away from my neck of the woods - Stoke-on-Trent.

Thank you though for the offer and the recommendation
 
Update -

I am getting a new boiler. This one has totally died on me. Long story but it is what it is.

RIP Ideal Classic.
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top