Ideal Combi Boiler problems

[nellyb]

Have an Ideal Combi boiler which is about 4-5 years old and has been regularly serviced. About two months ago it started playing up. Basically what happens is that the boiler will be running and will cut out for no apparent reason. When I say it cuts out, it still sounds like it is running but is not firing up when for instance you turn a hot water tap on and the temperature guage on the front drops right down. To get it going again, I just switch it off and on again and it works fine. It's just a pain when you're undressed in the shower upstairs & have to come all the way downstairs to switch it off & on!

We called out the company who fitted it/serviced it and in total, in the past two months they have been back 8 or 9 times as the problem has not been rectified. Not been very up on boilers, I'm not sure exactly what they have done with it each time. I do know that they have replaced a pressure switch and on their last visit replaced a thermistor (sp?) but still the problems continue.

We've been charged for the callout and also for the pressure switch (about £80 & £55 respectively).

I'm now beginning to lose patience not just down to the fact that I've paid out the money without having the problem rectified but also because of the number of days I'm having to wait in for the engineer to come. When he does come he does a bit of head scratching and readily admits he has no idea whats wrong with it.

So my question(s). Does anyone have any idea what could be wrong with it ( the engineer says he's rung 'Ideal' who couldn't really suggest much!). What do you think I should do about the company who've been coming out to it....am I entitled to ask for a refund? Who should I ask to come and try to repair it (Ideal, British Gas, Independent engineer?)

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[kevplumb]

model

 

[Agile]

Quite simply you need a competent engineer and it makes little difference who he works for.

Finding one may be more difficult and thats where word of mouth comes in. A personal recomendation is always best.

However, you are not helping us to help you. You have not said where you live or even what boiler model you have or who fitted it.

I am sure that I could correctly fix your boiler on just one visit but then I specialise in repairs and not installations. Your installer may not be ( or rather is not ) very good at repairs.

It can be difficult to reclaim costs spent on repairs with a firm who just fit parts in the hope of finding one which solves it. We call them "parts changers" and they can be very expensive for the owner.

Better just to get someone else and warn your friends about the others. It could be that they are very good at installations and just out of their depth with repairs. We do repairs on behalf of some installers like that.

Tony

 

[nellyb]

Sorry, at work at the moment so can't get model details but will post later. I'm based in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

I think the main point I'm getting at is, is it reasonable that they've been out to it so many times and not managed to identify the problem. If I got another engineer to look at the problem, would they be likely to have the same problem identifying the fault?

I'm loath to name the company on here if that's ok

Cheers
Neil

 

[gas4you]

Sounds like you have a Mini C24 or C28, possible relay on pcb sticking

 

[Agile]

C24/C28 were made from 2002 onwards so could be an early one.

Whatever it is I expect its the APS or system flow switch dropping out.

Lets wait and see if she confirms there is a rapid green flashing when the fault occurs.

Tony

 

[nellyb]

Yep, guys, it is a mini C28 and when it goes out, the green light does flash indicating a fault. Can anyone narrow down this fault now?

 

[nellyb]

bttt...any help would be appreciated.

 

[Agile]

I expect its the APS or system flow switch dropping out.


It has a built in diagnostic feature. Inside there are a further two lights on the left which if exposed can be made to indicate what the boiler thinks is wrong.

One would assume the previous engineers used this facility ???

Tony

 

[nellyb]

Thanks for that Tony. The problem is that the fault has only been happening randomly and the engineer who has been has only seen the fault actually happening once. I think it's probably like someone said earlier that this company are good at fitting the boilers but don't have a clue when it comes to repairs.

I've got a mate who has recommended a good engineer to me so I'll get him to come and have a look.

Thanks for all the replies in answer to my problem.