GLOW WORM ULTIMATE 60FF BOILER

[marvin_the_martian]

Can anyone help me with some problems we seem to be having with the above boiler.

The boiler was installed into a new property in 2001. Didn't have any problems until we fitted a new outside tap six months after we moved in and had to turn off the water supply. After that some of the downstairs rads did not heat up, but decided it was a problem we could live with.

No more problems until last Thursday when realised that the heating was not firing. The only way could get it to fire was by switching on the Hot Water Advance switch on the wall control panel and even then it was only warming the upstairs radiators and two of the downstairs radiators (there are 6 downstairs in total).

Last night partially drained the system and let the air out. This seemed to sort out the problem as heating was firing again independently and warming all the rads (with the exception of the ones that weren't working before) and hot water was working.

Woke up this morning and now have no heating or hot water - any ideas of what the problem could be or how to fix it?

 

[ChrisR]

Two problems at least, You should't have to hit the "hot water advance switch" to bring the CH on, and it shouldn't make any difference anyway. Then you probably have air locks and sludge blockages in the system stopping rads working.

If it ain't broke don't fix it. Yours is broke. Would need to check valves, electric connections, flow from header tank into system - or is it sealed? Then try balancing rads.. etc..

 

[emyace]

Can anyone help me with some problems we seem to be having with the above boiler.

The boiler was installed into a new property in 2001. Didn't have any problems until we fitted a new outside tap six months after we moved in and had to turn off the water supply. After that some of the downstairs rads did not heat up, but decided it was a problem we could live with.

No more problems until last Thursday when realised that the heating was not firing. The only way could get it to fire was by switching on the Hot Water Advance switch on the wall control panel and even then it was only warming the upstairs radiators and two of the downstairs radiators (there are 6 downstairs in total).

Last night partially drained the system and let the air out. This seemed to sort out the problem as heating was firing again independently and warming all the rads (with the exception of the ones that weren't working before) and hot water was working.

Woke up this morning and now have no heating or hot water - any ideas of what the problem could be or how to fix it?

Can anyone help me with some problems we seem to be having with the above boiler.

The boiler was installed into a new property in 2001. Didn't have any problems until we fitted a new outside tap six months after we moved in and had to turn off the water supply. After that some of the downstairs rads did not heat up, but decided it was a problem we could live with.

No more problems until last Thursday when realised that the heating was not firing. The only way could get it to fire was by switching on the Hot Water Advance switch on the wall control panel and even then it was only warming the upstairs radiators and two of the downstairs radiators (there are 6 downstairs in total).

Last night partially drained the system and let the air out. This seemed to sort out the problem as heating was firing again independently and warming all the rads (with the exception of the ones that weren't working before) and hot water was working.

Woke up this morning and now have no heating or hot water - any ideas of what the problem could be or how to fix it?

 

[emyace]

Good morning Forum members. I'm aware that the original thread is old but in our case, the similarity is that the Glow worm boiler (model unknown) was installed in 2001 when our house was built. I've just joined the Forum so I was looking for some assistance.
This morning, the water and central heating came on (timer). Now that I want to put the Advance Heating and Hot Water on, nothing is happening, the boiler is not firing up, I cannot see the pilot light.
I've done the initial check as per British Gas, all in order. I've bled all the radiators, no air there & clear water running. I've contacted a Corgi Engineer who lives nearby, away on a job and going on holiday tomorrow. Phoned another one, waiting for a call back.
Could anyone help me? Any suggestions? Your response and views would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance, emyace

Can anyone help me with some problems we seem to be having with the above boiler.

The boiler was installed into a new property in 2001. Didn't have any problems until we fitted a new outside tap six months after we moved in and had to turn off the water supply. After that some of the downstairs rads did not heat up, but decided it was a problem we could live with.

No more problems until last Thursday when realised that the heating was not firing. The only way could get it to fire was by switching on the Hot Water Advance switch on the wall control panel and even then it was only warming the upstairs radiators and two of the downstairs radiators (there are 6 downstairs in total).

Last night partially drained the system and let the air out. This seemed to sort out the problem as heating was firing again independently and warming all the rads (with the exception of the ones that weren't working before) and hot water was working.

Woke up this morning and now have no heating or hot water - any ideas of what the problem could be or how to fix it?

 

[45yearsagasman]

You'll not get much help with so little info on your part.

 

[DaveHerns]

I don't think there is a pilot light in a 60FF .Are you getting power to the boiler? Has the fuse blown in the FCU supplying boiler? Pump running? Clock on timer still working?

 

[Agile]

So when was your boiler last serviced?

Tony

 

[emyace]

Thank you all for your response.

Peter, sorry for not giving detailed info, I wrote all I knew.

Tony, the boiler was serviced about 2 years ago.

DaveHerns, I don't know the model of the Glow Worm (no manual to look at) but there is a pilot light. There is power going to the boiler. The boiler is firing and we now have plenty of very hot water. The radiators are cold despite the fact that the Advance Heating is on a timer at the same time as the hot water heating. Would you say the pump is not running? The clock on timer definitely works.

 

[DaveHerns]

I'm not a pro but a DIYer and an Ultimate 40FF owner. If you have hot water but no heating I'd be looking at the room thermostat and the 3 way valve if you have a conventional system. If you pull the bottom cover off your boiler isn't there a label with model number etc?

 

[emyace]

Thanks Dave for your input.

The room thermostat is usually on 18 degrees and tried higher and lower. I could hear two clicks so I think that's working. I opened tge bottom cover and could see a sticker 40 in red, does that mean It's Ultimate 40? Where could I find the 3 way valve? In your boiler, where is the pump situated? I'm wondering whether or not the pump might not be pumping hot water through the system?

 

[DaveHerns]

You should find your 3 way valve near the pump. You can normally feel if the pump is running. The room thermostat may be clicking but I'm guessing the switch contacts inside could still be defective. Have you got a multimeter to test it ?

 

[emyace]

Good morning DaveHerns. Thanks for your suggestions.
I could see the 3 way valve which is near the tank in a cupboard but could not find the pump. Could it be in a hidden cupboard under the tank?
How do I check if the Drayton thermostat is defective? If only I could find that pump and a multimeter to test?
I'm learning in the dark! Any advice or suggestions are much appreciated.
An engineer (nearby) phoned to tell me he will phone next week to let me know when he could come.

 

[DaveHerns]

You're going to need electrical fault finding skills to fix your fault. I'm sure there is a fault finding chart on this forum or on google . My mum's heating was not responding to the thermostat last week and I changed the 3 way valve actuator on the off-chance and fortunately it did the trick. I suppose your pump could be anywhere near the boiler or the tank. Are there any wires leading from the wiring centre to give you a clue?

 

[emyace]

Thank you DaveHerns. I'll have a go.