Glow Worm 30HXI Not Firing Up

[gadgetic]

Hi Everybody

Our boiler has decided not to fire up at all. It had been starting up intermittently over the last few days, but now nothing except some ticking noise every few minutes.

When it was firing, the fan sounded like it was fluctuating as was the burner. Sometimes the burner would go out but the igniter would kick in and everything would start up again.

I have had a local plumber round, he has checked all the usual things, the pump is working fine, there is water in the header tank, burner has been opened and cleaned. He tried running without the thermistor and flow meters but still the same problem, it just wont fire up now. I have also disconnected the condensing pipe and put boiling water down it to clear it up as it is snowing right now, but still no luck!

Any ideas from anybody?

Kindly

Gurpreet

 

[mdr128]

I've had two similar problems with a similar boiler. On both occasions it was simply dust/dirt getting into the fan motor. On the first occasion a simple hoover out did the job. The second time I had to squirt a bit of WD40 in.

I couldn't be sure that's your problem too from your description, but it's very easy to try! Good luck.

 

[gadgetic]

hi mdr128

i think you may be on to something with that...unfortunately I think getting to the fan or the fan motor is beyond me, as I think it requires disconnecting the gas valve and getting to it from the side which means a lot of work considering its in a kitchen cupboard!

I have a british gas engineer coming tomorrow morning, so I think I will just have to leave it in his hands. I did rush home to try your method so I could save the money but I think I should leave it in more capable hands.

I do think you are right though, as I just tried to start now and listened very carefully for the fan, it seemed like it was just about to go, then died, the dust wold explain the intermittent starts and none starts.

Will let you know the cause of the problem after tomorrow.

Kindly

Gurpreet

 

[gadgetic]

hi mdr128

The british gas engineer refused to look into the fault due to general appearance of the boiler.

Which to be fair is not that bad, the only problem to note, was when the boiler was fitted the vertical flue was not sealed correctly on the roof, and in the first couple of years, water got through and caused some erosion in some parts, but nothing very major. He also cited lack of access to the electrics to the boiler, this is because the boiler is in a kitchen cupboard, I did ask him that arent they meant to be installed in cupboards, and I even offered to pull out my jigsaw and make whatever hole was necessary.

He checked everything with his computer could not find any faults with the pcb or other electronics. Finally he said that he called his boss, told him the scenario, he said not to go ahead and refund my money. Suggested we should get a new boiler.

Now I am stumped to get a new boiler... or shold make one last ditch attempt and get someone out to clean the fan?

Kindly

Gurpreet

 

[mdr128]

That kind of response is frustrating beyond words, so many people seem to have become jobsworths recently, no one prepared to take even the smallest risk to help someone out.

Ho hum, if it were me and you're already resigned yourslef to buying a new one I'd defintely have one last go at fixing it. Still, I guess you just want it sorted. Hope you've got some other way of keeping warm, cheers, mdr.