Hi all,
Hoping someone can provide me with some direction please?
First, some background:
(Worcester Boiler - 28CDI, 3 years old)
My Central Heating is working fine and my mains water pressure is fine (on average above 2 bar). Not in a hard water area..
BUT my hot water flow is very poor, and the main problem is that upstairs, the shower (and sometimes, but more rarely, the bath) does not provide consistent hot water.
The kitchen basin tap does provide constant hot water, though the flow is poor. The upstairs bathroom basin tap does provide constant hot water usually but sometimes not at all..The bath tap does provide hot water but this is not always constant. So the main problem lies with the shower, but also sometimes the bath. When running the shower (mixer, non-pumped), sometimes the boiler does not come on at all. Other times, it takes a few minutes and then kicks in, and other times, it comes on straight away. When the boiler does come on, hot water does come out of the shower (or bath if directed) BUT, it does not remain hot, and the boiler does not remain on. After (usually) a few minutes (but sometimes not so many minutes), the boiler just switches off and the water obviously runs cold. It does usually start again though after about 30 seconds or so, but sometimes longer (again, this time can vary).
It's very tricky to explain the fault, as the fault itself (or it's symptoms) are inconsistent.
I have been searching through the forums to find advice given to folk with similar problems (although I've not found any yet with the exact same problem) but many folk advise that it's a problem with either the diverter valve or less often, the heat exchanger.
I have contacted Worcester on two seperate occasions, and both times were advised that the problem is with the heat exchanger they believe. When asked if it was likely to be the diverter valve, they were quite sure it wouldn't be.
So, I'm in a predicament because of the conflicting info, but trust you experts out there are the ones in the know..
I have a friend who is a plumber, though not a specialist by any means in boilers themselves, who is willing to help swap out the necessary faulty part. He has taken a look at the boiler but after checking the water inlet filter (which was sparkling clean and clear) was stumped... We looked at the diverter valve assembly after reading something related on the forum - they were referring to the possibility of air in the diverter valve (or diaphram) - so is it possible/necessary to 'bleed' the valve - and if so, how is this done - there are two bolts - one which looks as though it's just bolting the assembly, and the other has a flat-head groove that looks like it could be the one.. So is this an option - worth a shot??? (Could not find any literature on the diverter valve and it's workings).
Appreciate any advice that you guys could provide in order to save me swapping out the wrong part and wasting at least the 100 quid for the part !
Oh, and one last question, if it is the heat exchanger that needs replacing - is it the water-to-water heat exchanger?
Many thanks in anticipation of a constant hot shower!
Hoping someone can provide me with some direction please?
First, some background:
(Worcester Boiler - 28CDI, 3 years old)
My Central Heating is working fine and my mains water pressure is fine (on average above 2 bar). Not in a hard water area..
BUT my hot water flow is very poor, and the main problem is that upstairs, the shower (and sometimes, but more rarely, the bath) does not provide consistent hot water.
The kitchen basin tap does provide constant hot water, though the flow is poor. The upstairs bathroom basin tap does provide constant hot water usually but sometimes not at all..The bath tap does provide hot water but this is not always constant. So the main problem lies with the shower, but also sometimes the bath. When running the shower (mixer, non-pumped), sometimes the boiler does not come on at all. Other times, it takes a few minutes and then kicks in, and other times, it comes on straight away. When the boiler does come on, hot water does come out of the shower (or bath if directed) BUT, it does not remain hot, and the boiler does not remain on. After (usually) a few minutes (but sometimes not so many minutes), the boiler just switches off and the water obviously runs cold. It does usually start again though after about 30 seconds or so, but sometimes longer (again, this time can vary).
It's very tricky to explain the fault, as the fault itself (or it's symptoms) are inconsistent.
I have been searching through the forums to find advice given to folk with similar problems (although I've not found any yet with the exact same problem) but many folk advise that it's a problem with either the diverter valve or less often, the heat exchanger.
I have contacted Worcester on two seperate occasions, and both times were advised that the problem is with the heat exchanger they believe. When asked if it was likely to be the diverter valve, they were quite sure it wouldn't be.
So, I'm in a predicament because of the conflicting info, but trust you experts out there are the ones in the know..
I have a friend who is a plumber, though not a specialist by any means in boilers themselves, who is willing to help swap out the necessary faulty part. He has taken a look at the boiler but after checking the water inlet filter (which was sparkling clean and clear) was stumped... We looked at the diverter valve assembly after reading something related on the forum - they were referring to the possibility of air in the diverter valve (or diaphram) - so is it possible/necessary to 'bleed' the valve - and if so, how is this done - there are two bolts - one which looks as though it's just bolting the assembly, and the other has a flat-head groove that looks like it could be the one.. So is this an option - worth a shot??? (Could not find any literature on the diverter valve and it's workings).
Appreciate any advice that you guys could provide in order to save me swapping out the wrong part and wasting at least the 100 quid for the part !
Oh, and one last question, if it is the heat exchanger that needs replacing - is it the water-to-water heat exchanger?
Many thanks in anticipation of a constant hot shower!
