new Vaillant ecotec plus 824 causing chaos

[sairse]

I live in a top floor flat which is about 14 years old. Our glowworm boiler was erratic in relation to hot water but worked fine for heating - all 6 radiators got hot very quickly. We got a vaillant ecotec installed last week. The system wasn't power flushed as part of the installation. Once the boiler went in, we had hot water but only the bedroom radiator worked. The plumbers then drained the system and put temperature control valves on 5 of the radiators. Now 5 radiators heat up but only if the valves are on full. The hall radiator doesn't heat up at all (this is the one without an adjustable valve) The hot water went off yesterday with a f22 message. From info I found on here, I managed to increase the pressure to 1.1 bar but it won't go any higher. The plumber is making noises about us needing new radiators though maybe a power flush might sort it. I am skeptical as 2 weeks ago, I had 6 radiators that worked very well. Does anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Dan Robinson]

It is microbore pipe work?

Copper?

Plastic?

Was the system flushed at all?


Bunnies don't like dirty systems.

 

[St0rmer66]

And to rub salt into the wound, your installer putting your new boiler onto a dirty system has pretty much voided your warranty!

 

[sairse]

The pipes are copper. As far as I know the pipes weren't flushed but the water that came out when it was drained was black. It sounds like we will need a power flush but we are dreading the thought of new radiators as we can't afford it.

 

[Gasguru]

1 Bar cold pressure is perfectly adequate for the majority of properties....ignore anyone who advised higher.

The radiators may just require simple balancing...see the FAQs

The water resistance through the new boiler is probably considerably more that the previous model...so if the system (pipework etc) is a little blocked that may be the reason it no longer works...the pump is insufficient to cope.

 

[Agile]

It is part of the procedure for installing a new boiler to cleanse the system.

Were they cash only cowboys?

You talk as if you have no control over them at all.

Why did you choose them to install your new boiler ( badly ) ?

Tony

 

[sairse]

They are definitely not doing the job on a cash in hand basis. This is the first time I have had to sort out a new boiler and I've not yet paid them the full sum. I am royally hacked off that having had to sort out £4k plus vat for the job inc scaffolding and roof works given the location of the flue that they didn't clean out the system.

 

[gigz]

Get a magnaclean or similar fitted as well, i would say its a must on new boiler installs.

 

[sairse]

They have fitted a magnaclean.

 

[picasso]

Dont panic just yet, it might be something silly that has been overlooked, give then a chance to sort out the problem before thinking about changing rads ect.