Heating yes, hot water no! Help?

[Iceblock]

My Fer falcon combi boiler has been on the blink. I got some advice here as the boiler had insufficient pressure, so I tried to add pressure via the filling loop last night, and two things happened.

I turned the valves to the filling loop, but nothing as I'm aware happened, no water sound, nothing. But when i tried to turn the boiler on, it turned on fine, and worked perfectly. When it wasn't working the pressure when off was at 0.3bar and when i turned on rose to 0.6bar, but after 5 seconds shut down.

Now I turned these valves (last night) the pressure when off is still 0.3bar, but when turned on rises to 1bar and works. But I tried to turn the valves (filling loop) off and could only turn one back to how it was. The other I just could not turn back (seems stuck?) and now if I turn the hot water tap on, after 5 secs the boiler shuts down. And a light flashes telling me the central heating is on stand-by.

If I turn the boiler back on it works again, but if I turn the hot water on, it shuts down again!

Is this something to do with this valve I could not turn off (back to how it was)? I think it's the "central heating in" valve I could not turn off/back!

Also, is there any reason why I cannot add pressure when i open the valves to the filling loop?

 

[Dan Robinson]

Sounds like you need a new filling loop for starters.

You need to get the pressure stable at about 1.5bar.

 

[Iceblock]

I think the filling loop is fine. Had troubles trying to turn both valves to it. May be the valves themselves are the problem?

 

[Dan Robinson]

The valves are part of the filling loop

 

[Iceblock]

I don't think they are on my boiler.

There are coloured valves right under the boiler to 5 different pipes. A few inches below 2 of the pipes is the filling loop which connects 2 of the pipes together. All 5 valves for each of the pipes are in a line (at the same level). If I took out the valves connecting the filling loop, I would have to remove 2 of the pipes completely, as the valves are not directly attached to where the hose is.

I hope this makes sense?

 

[Dan Robinson]

No sense whatsoever... can you post a picture?

The five valves connected to the boiler should be left as is - in-line with the pipes they are attached to.

 

[Iceblock]

I'm not at home right now, but here's a drawing of how it looks...

//media.diynot.com/117000_116458_8497_81819970_thumb.jpg

 

[Agile]

Anyone recognise that boiler just from the picture??

I would have guessed an Ariston about 2002 !

Tony

 

[Iceblock]

Sounds like you need a new filling loop for starters.

If I get someone in to replace the filling loop, how much (roughly) will I expect to pay for the repair?

 

[Dan Robinson]

Depends on their rate - in London it would be circa £90.

 

[Agile]

We would charge our £84 plus £12 for a Water regulations compliant filling loop.

But that would include a full check of the boiler.

Tony