Glow Worm Fuel Saver F (Wall mounted) - No pilot or HW

[Mano'Kent]

Please help!!

I have come across Drew's post and we have a similar problem with the same boiler. We have a gravity fed system.

Following a loud banging noise yesterday (in either the pipes or the boiler itself) the pilot light and hot water have gone off. We've had the CH off all summer. I have checked the fuse and everything seems fine there.

I can also now hear a faint banging/ dripping sound when I put my ears next to the boiler and the HW cylinder but it's hard to tell exactly where this is coming from.

Also, I realise that we will probably have to call out a Corgi guy but before I do so - is this boiler a Combi or a traditional type boiler? I note that the other forum member thought that it was a combi but I'm not so sure??

Many thanks,
Dan.

 

[fitz1]

did it only do this when you turned the heating on. has it been heating the hot water o.k.

 

[Mano'Kent]

Thanks for coming back to me. The HW and pilot went off during its usual programme and we heard banging earlier in the week. Until yesterday the HW was fine. We haven't needed the CH so far but I tested it after the HW went off - it made no difference.

Just looking for info before calling in an engineer as I don't think it's a DIY job.....

Thanks,
Dan.

 

[fitz1]

does this boiler have a permanent pilot.

 

[Mano'Kent]

Not sure. I believe that it is permanently on - well, until now?

I have just found a works report from 2001 which says that the boiler was fitted when the house was built (approx 1986) and it is a Y plan circuit (aka a conventional system).

Dan.

 

[fitz1]

check the pump is working

 

[Mano'Kent]

Hi again. I've just been up to have a look and touched the pump and it is red hot!! I've switched off the CH/HW and will wait for the pump to cool down before checking again.

Is this a likely problem for these symptoms?

 

[fitz1]

try turning on and tapping it with hammer. it maybe just jammed.once on undo the big screw in the middle of the head and see if its turning .

 

[Mano'Kent]

Hi tried tapping it - nothing. Also tried turning off CH+HW and undoing the screw at the front and water dripped out of the back of the pump???

It'll definately be a job for the experts but I just want an idea of what it could be so that I don't get stung....

 

[fitz1]

keep heating on and undo screw. small amount of water will come out. see if the spindle is turning. it does seem like your pump is problem.

 

[Agile]

Its a very simple job which I am sure you can manage to free it up with a flat screwdriver.

Let it cool down and read the FAQ here for instructions on freeing a pump.

Then relight the pilot light and you will have hot water and heating as normal.

Good to book a routine service sometime though.

Tony

 

[ChrisR]

They do NOT have a permanent pilot. It lights it when it needs it.

But they DO have a reset button, which, if the pump stopped could have popped out if the boiler overheated. Probably underneath the boiler, on the left, brown button which is floppy all the time, but makes a click when you push it in if it needs it.

Pumps run hot when there is water running through them, and corblimey hot when there isn't!

 

[Agile]

Not sure. I believe the pilot is permanently on - well, until now?

In that case ( if Chris is right ) then the owner was wrong!

Its amusing that we usually know more about boilers that the people who live with them! Just as well that does not extend to their wives!

Tony

 

[Mano'Kent]

The owner is quite possibly wrong!

I have checked the pump and I couldn't see a spindle turning and does get hot quickly. It was dripping from the front of the pump as well as the back. Since unscrewing the screw in the middle of the pump and switching off the CH/HW have noticed some whurring/ ticking sounds coming from the pump. However, nothing when it's swtched on.

BTW where is the reset button on the boiler as I cannot see it? There is a thermostatic control knob on the (front bottom left). When I adjust this nothing happens??

 

[Agile]

Have you spun the pump as explained in the FAQ ???

Have you looked along the front edge just underneath the boiler for the o/h reset button? Usually a rusty brown colour? Might have a cap to cover it up WITH A SLOT to undo it with?

Can anyone remember exactly where the o/h reset is?

Tony