Eurolock cylinder on upvc door not turning: recurring problem. Problem with mechanism?

[Phil12]

Hi,

I replaced a eurolock cylinder recently (had to snap it) after the key wouldn't turn anymore and the lock wouldn't lock. The lock was in the open position, but I couldn't lock it (absolute minimal turning movement in the key) and the key was not coming out (not broken off), so I also couldn't insert a key completely from the outside.

I replaced the cylinder with a new Yale cylinder (10 yr warranty), and the lock worked fine for a few weeks. I had opened up the first broken cylinder out of curiosity and found that one of the pin springs was twisted. I had assumed that was the problem, but this morning my son unlocked the door and now the problem seems exactly the same. He was also the one who had opened the door when it first broke. I suspect he pushed the door handle down and then unlocked it, rather than pushing it up to unlock.

I am wondering if there is something wrong with the lock mechanism? I would have expected that you don't immediately mess up a cylinder or lock if you unlock in the wrong way as my son may have done. Or could I have overtightened the cylinder screw perhaps when I installed it? Could that cause such an issue?

Any help appreciated before I go into a long cycle of replacing cylinders...

Cheers!

 

[Scally-Ho]

It is a two key cylinder or single key with a turn button?

 

[Phil12]

It's a key from both sides. The key is inserted on the inside and won't turn or come out, so I can't insert a key from the outside either.

 

[Phil12]

I have snapped the cylinder again. The outside half of the cylinder was again messed up, the part that didn't have the key in, but I think this is because of the force used in snapping it (I had to snap it from that side), so probably this was the same on the first cylinder. I couldn't see any other damage. Still wonder if the mechanism is faulty, or is it "normal" for the lock to jam somehow if it unlocked while pushing the handle down rather than up? If so, would there be another way to free it up again if this happens rather than snapping the cylinder?

Thanks

 

[bigsegs]

those euro cylinders just fit into a lock case that the tooth on the cylinder operates.. Theyre hollow obviously and the force needed to snap a cylinder out can easily deform the lock case, causing the 'tooth' to get stuck in the 'non neutral' position.. you may have noticed you cant remove the key unless its in 'neutral' (either vertical or horizontal depending on the type of key), so you may need a new lock case. I recommend getting a upvc capable locksmith because if its a composite or a std upvc door, they need to be adjusted properly to work correctly, or may even be 'bowed', especially if its dark coloured outside and white inside and the suns been on it.. it puts pressure on the locking mech and eventually something has to go pop... half the time your locked out, or in, until you have to break something...
If youre well capable, check things like door alignment to frame, gaps the edges, smoothness of operation when lifting the handle, adjustment of appropriate keeps if not... be careful if you dont know what your doing because some of the lock keeps have tiny little grub screws locking the adjustment in place which have little tiny nuts on the back, that will dissappear into the frame if you take the grub screw completely out while its in place... have the strip gear out all the way up the door (lockcase, cams, shoot/hook bolts), examine the lock case for damage (likely, listen for rattles, the insides are made of chinese pot metal aka chineseium) and order a replacement gearset..