Potterton Fireside 51 problem.advice req'd

[amichaelglg]

This back boiler was fitted back in 1972 ! Had to re-light the pilot light today - which was ok and is on. When we turned the heating for it to fire up nothing was hapenning initially - you could hear the clicking as we switched it off/on. Anyway we left it on (there was low level humming noise) for while and it did finally come on after 5 minutes, but it appears to be on low flames. Normally it starts of a low flame for a few seconds then kicks into full power with a lot stronger flames and bit more noise. That dos not seem to be hapenning.
It's on low and quite. The rads are warming up & water is getting warmer, but obviouslsy slowly.
I know there are still certain parts available to buy, but don't know what part is the possible suspect one and whether it is for sale. I'm guessing it's some kind of phase control where it switches from slow to fast - whether it's the gas flow not been regulated to flow faster or an electrical problem -- well, I'm guessing - I'm no expert.

Does anyone know or dare I say have experience of these ancient, but yet simple boilers ?

 

[expertgasman]

Gas Multifunctional control - softstart (valve)

 

[expertgasman]

Available :

GAS VALVE V4400 Standard 240Volt V4400 (B/P)*

 

[amichaelglg]

thanks for that. I presume the two posts above refer to one and the same thing.

Do you think it is something a DIY person can replace of reasonable compotence ? Or will I need to call in a 'specialist' ?

£127 quid delivered it appears.

 

[expertgasman]

thanks for that. I presume the two posts above refer to one and the same thing.

Yes, indeed

Do you think it is something a DIY person can replace of reasonable compotence ?
NO

Or will I need to call in a 'specialist' ?

yes

 

[namsag]

These originally had the red and white push button gas valve but some over the years got converted to grey push button valves.
Both valves do the same job but there is quite a diffence in price

 

[amichaelglg]

Well I can only see the red and white ones for sale.

Is that the expensive or cheap ones ?
Either way I cannot see anyone selling the grey ones.

If they both do the same job I obviously want the better quality ones - ones that should last.

 

[amichaelglg]

well surprise surprise I have found the same part on another web site for about £67 !

 

[namsag]

And that is 1/2 or 3/4 if its 3/4 does it come with 3/4 to 1/2 bushes

 

[amichaelglg]

even more surprised - I've found it on another web site for £31+del - includes vat - blimey what's going on with these huge variations on price ?

namsag - sorry you've lost me, but I haven't the foggiest whether it is half or 3/4. Either way am I right in saying when the existing one is taken out that may have the 3/4 to 1/2 bushes and they can be re-used? if it doesn't surely they are cheap and easy to get a hold of from any local plumbers merchant ?

And I would need 2 - if i need them ? I want to make sure I have everything otherwise I'll be calling an engineer to fit only to find he still needs to get further parts.

 

[amichaelglg]

can someone tell me if these are want I ned to buy ?

hxxp://www.screwfix.com/prods/62776/Plumbing/Brassware/Comap-Brass-Bush-x-Pack-of-2

 

[expertgasman]

can someone tell me if these are want I ned to buy ?

hxxp://www.screwfix.com/prods/62776/Plumbing/Brassware/Comap-Brass-Bush-x-Pack-of-2[/QUOTE][/i]

Link not workin - for me anyway

 

[amichaelglg]

ops, sorry address has hxxp instead of http.. here it is corrected.

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/62776/Plumbing/Brassware/Comap-Brass-Bush-x-Pack-of-2

Would I need two packs or just the one (as there are 2 in a pack) ?

LATEST: I pressed the off button on the boiler. Relighted the pilot again and voila all is working well again as it should. Part has alreeady ordered just in case it plays up again.