Ideal Mini 24HE - Burner half lit

[Philatom77]

Hi, I'm after some advise please on my Mini HE.

I have an intermittent problem of the hot water not always getting above luke warm and then perfectly ok later that same day.

Also I have noticed that sometimes only the left bank of gas burner comes on.

I have not proved yet that these 2 events happen at the same time but I hope to link the 2 events soon.

Should it be possible for only one half to come on? If this is a fault is it one that British gas would fix or insist on a new boiler? I am waiting for it to happen more regular before a call out.

Thanks, look forward to a response.

 

[45yearsagasman]

There is certainly a fault if only half the burner lights. Your BG serviceman should be able to rectify this fault quite easily. Do not wait to call them out. Seeing this only once should be enough to alert you to the fact that something is not right, and it will affect your hot water performance.

 

[Agile]

Is it definately a 24 kW ?

That was a common fault on the 28 kW versions!

Its not always that easy to fix though. A modification was applied to later 28 kW boilers.

If its a 24 kW then its probably just a simple adjustment which is incorrect and one that any competent engineer will always do. [ But not all engineers are competent, probably 45% would not normally even check it on a service! ]

Tony

 

[Philatom77]

I believe so, the label says;
MINI HE24
NI159030705
47-348-38
VD 201610

So it sounds like this definitely a fault and not just a low energy mode.
I am happy to get BG out, just wanted to make sure there was something to report as theres £99 excess on the contract.

A bit more info.
I have had the intermittent hot water for several months, I had Gas Safe guy come out and service it and check it over last October (2012) He attempted a descale but said there was little in there so doubted it did anything. So just tried to convince me of Physics and heat rise etc, (which i knew) I also know that mains water temperature cannot change on a hourly basis. In january i noticed a flue smell from inside the kitchen, so NAtional grid came out to check for gas leaks etc and then BG man the next day. BG found a seal misplaced at the top of the flu and a trapped cable between the casing, which i assume was trapped in oct and the fumes then could come into the house. Anyway at the same time BG pointed out that the right hand burner sometimes was slow to come on, hence why I have been watching more closely now.

My only concern is that if it doesn't show the fault when BG visits it could turn into an ongoing saga at £99 a time.

 

[Agile]

Anyway at the same time BG pointed out that the right hand burner sometimes was slow to come on, hence why I have been watching more closely now.

My only concern is that if it doesn't show the fault when BG visits it could turn into an ongoing saga at £99 a time.

I dont understand how a BG engineer can see a fault and not correct it.

A competent independent would usually be cheaper than that £99. For example I would charge £15 less in my local area for example.

Tony

 

[Philatom77]

Thanks, I agree now BG should have taken the lazy RHS burner more serious. In his defence it was late on sunday and the origional complaint was the fumes and it was working all be it coming on slightly delayed on 1 start up. I had never noticed this before it was pointed out. I didn't bother to expain about the low heat as i hoped fixing the combusion may solved that.

I turned to BG after 2 poor experiences from independents, I am sure most are very good and better than BG. (I believe the same rule car garages) The 1st experience; a large local gas firm serviced it and found a broken clip on water side and simply gave it to me to find a replacement and sugested i should fit it, leaving a pipe with 1bar held by god know what. The 2nd experience is the one i mentioned from October. I found this guy through rated people. It is very difficault to find good tradesmen for anything.


Anyway, reagrding this burner problem, will it be possible to detect even if it does do it during a service call?

Any recomended Gas Safe engineers in Medway towns area, ME8? I will probably need a new boiler as some time soon.

 

[Agile]

It would usually be possible to identify the cause even if it did not do it during a visit.

Oddly I am not far from you today ( Sun ) in Sittingbourne but thats on a social visit!

But if you wished I could pop in and fix it for you! But you would need to call me. Click "Agile" for my profile with contact numbers.

Tony

 

[Philatom77]

Thanks Agile for the offer. I'm not at that stage yet, but if you are availible to work in the area I will certainly look you up. Keep you posted.

 

[Agile]

Its only a two or three times a year visit to friends in ME10 !

Otherwise I stay within the Dartford contour!

Tony