BAXI BARCELONA PROBLEMS

[heathrobinson]

I have had my boiler 4 or so years and after some lock out teething problems it worked ok up until recently when it died and all it does is show a green light and no fan etc. Manual says it is likely to be the Control PCB at £130. I have read postings in this section over the past few months and have noted a lot of problems with this boiler which have made me reconsider trying to get it fixed.

The burner also looks a bit ropey - anyone know how long these are expected to last?

There is also a bit of a leak on the top flow pipe (the one with the flow switch)

I think that I have been fairly lucky so far as the only bits I have replaced is the electrode kit.

I have also noted a design fault with the 24v cables coming back fromthe transformer, these are only single insulated and both have had the insulation melted down to the metal on the side of the boiler casing.

Some people have mentioned the life of the PCB's due to the high temeratures in the casing, mine might have lasted longer due to me leaving the outer casing off as the boiler is located out of sight.

Should I cut my losses now?

 

[Agile]

These have not been one of the most successful models and also one which really needs annual servicing by someone who understands the boiler.

Its difficult to advise you! It really needs a competent boiler engineer who does not do installations to assess it objectively!

Baxi do fixed price repairs in some circumstances and it could be that you would be better with their service but check just what it covers first if yuo have multiple faults.

Tony Glazier

 

[gazthepottertonengineer]

If the boiler is only 4 years old it would cost you £220 and that includes all parts even if its external to the boiler and VAT and you get a years Warranty for that as well

the problem you are describing does sound like the flow switch to me check your pump is working as well

 

[gstens baxi]

Has the water leaked on to either the thermistor or o/h stat as i have come across similar symptoms.

 

[Gasman1015]

It really needs a competent boiler engineer who does not do installations to assess it objectively!

Tony Glazier

Now your talking BO****KS.

 

[Agile]

Oh Dear! I was clearly wrong to suggest you need a competent engineer.

You obviously need an incompetent engineer who does not know how to diagnose faults on boilers.

You should also make sure his main business is installing boilers so he has a vested interest in saying your 4 year old boiler is beyond repair and that you should pay him £2000+ to fit a new one for you.

Tony

 

[ollski]

Yes sorry Tony but you've lost me too on the non installation engineer, most of the most knowldgeable guys I know make a living from installations because repair work is too much hard work to earn a living from with intermittent problems, parts orders, recalls, filling a days work etc. I know you tread the forums for self promotion for your business, but sometimes....just too much.

 

[Gasman1015]

Oh Dear! I was clearly wrong to suggest you need a competent engineer.

No, just wrong to infer that anyone who does installations is not competent to repair boilers.

You obviously need an incompetent engineer who does not know how to diagnose faults on boilers.

Now, you are being facetious.

You should also make sure his main business is installing boilers so he has a vested interest in saying your 4 year old boiler is beyond repair and that you should pay him £2000+ to fit a new one for you.

Don't judge others by your standards.

How many service engineers replace unneccesary parts to hike up the cost of more than a new boiler or advertise a no fix, no fee and then demand a diagnostic charge.

I never charge a penny to diagnose a fault, can you say the same, and no I don't add it to the repair.

You seem to make a habit of rubbing people up the wrong way on many forums, ARGI included.

 

[Agile]

Last wednesday I went to help a lady who had called someone to repair her five year old boiler. He told her she needed a new fan and they were difficult to get. He went to his van and came back with an opened Baxi box and said he had found a new fan. The boiler worked and he charged her £350 which she paid.

The boiler stopped after 10 hours and she called him back. His mate came and told her the wiring loom had "gone" and was £100 and it would be better to get a new boiler which they could fit for £2000.

She called me. I found the original fan had been refitted but the real fault, a dirty venturi had not been fixed.

In London because travelling is so time consuming we have to make a diagnostic charge. We always charge a fixed price of £84 inclusive of everything except parking. If any parts are required then they are fitted free but are of course chargeable at the list trade price. We operate a no-fix no-fee but always diagnose the fault otherwise we dont get paid.

If we did not charge for diagnosis, everyone would call us to diagnose free and then get an fit the part themselves.

Tony

 

[meldrew's_mate]

Leaks from the top flange are not uncommon, it's a o-ring seal and they're a pretty tight fit, the fixing screws are designed to be used as jacking aids, but I'd advise getting some new ones as they may burr on jacking.

The burner is extremely fragile, have only known them to break when mishandled during service, causing big bang ignition - you'd know if you had it!

Boiler temp is not an issue unless the inner door seal is faulty, in any case the PCB is well away, it's just unreliable!

As for the transformer lead melting, this leads back to the inner case door seal. A new tranny is not wildly expensive, which is saying something for Baxi


If you feel up to repairing it don't forget to have the system properly cleaned and inhibited or you will regret it