Potterton Performa 28 boiler problem

[steeeve1984]

Hi, I've got a Pottern Performa 28 boiler, which is 3.5 years old.

Over the past few weeks it has not always been firing up, and is now at a point where it is really hard to get it on...... when i turn the heating on or put on a hot tap I can hear the boiler try and start, and through the little window (that shows the burners) I can see the pilot come on and then die out.

The fault light that flashes on the boiler always used to be the 'flame failure' fault but last couple of days the fan/flue fault light is coming on as well.

I have changed the flame sensing electrode and the sensing lead but it hasn't made any difference.

Anyone got any idea what it could be?

 

[twgas]

quite possibly suspect flue/air pressure, RGI teritory

 

[Rob]

There's no pilot light. The whole burner should light.

Does the flame lift off? Or does it continue sparking and just drop out?

Does the fan always run?

edit. see above ^^

 

[Agile]

You have already changed components within the combustion chamber.

Thats normally something which should only be opened by a competent person, that means CORGI.

For safety reasons the advice would be that you should get a competent CORGI to diagnose the fault and check the safety of your boiler.

Tony

 

[steeeve1984]

Rob - yes the burners light up on the left hand side but then just die down.... and the fan doesn't always work.

That's probably why the fan fault light sometimes comes on as well as the flame failure light......

anybody know any CORGI engineers in or around Sheffield that come come and look at the boiler for a non extortinate rate?

 

[weargas]

sounds daft but check your gas is turned on fully at the meter.

 

[Agile]

If you have a gas cooker you could see if the lit burners change size when you try to light the boiler.

If it did then there will probably be a problem with the regulator at the meter. They change them free!

Tony

 

[steeeve1984]

Hi, right just checked the gas meter and the gas is definitely turned on fully. Also done the check with putting the gas hob on and then turning the boiler on (well trying anyway) and they didn't change at all.

Also blead my rads.........still no luck! Hopefully getting a plumber in to look at it in next day or so

 

[Agile]

Also blead my rads.........still no luck! Hopefully getting a plumber in to look at it in next day or so

You might be better off with a boiler engineer rather than a plumber!

Tony

 

[steeeve1984]

plumber/boiler engineer....same thing lol.....

my mates dad is an engineer for British Gas so he's hopefully poppin round after work to diagnose it properly.

 

[Agile]

plumber/boiler engineer....same thing lol.....

my mates dad is an engineer for British Gas so he's hopefully poppin round after work to diagnose it properly.

You may not think so but there can be a lot of difference!

Your mates dad can probably diagnose the fault but if he repairs it then thats contrary to his employment contract and they are told they will be sacked. ( Although I think that would not stand up in court if it was not for a BG customer. )

Tony

 

[steeeve1984]

What's with all the red tape?

If BG didn't charge stupid prices then they would get more business.....anyway he's coming round tonight.

The guy also runs his private company which he has people working for him, so wonder where he would stand on that front!

 

[Agile]

The guy also runs his private company which he has people working for him, so wonder where he would stand on that front!

In that case I suspect he may be a contractor to BG rather than an exployee.

The BG fixed price repair at about £200 is often very good value when an expensive part is required.

Tony

 

[nickso]

What's with all the red tape?

If BG didn't charge stupid prices then they would get more business.....anyway he's coming round tonight.

The guy also runs his private company which he has people working for him, so wonder where he would stand on that front!

they have massive overheads.

if he has his own company he is a contractor not direct labour.

 

[steeeve1984]

Well the guy came round, and he changed the 'pressure release switch' (think that was the name of the part)....it connects to the flue??

Anyway, it worked fine for that night but has since stopped working again. When I've spoken to him again he seems to think it can only be the PCB but as these are really pricey I'm reluctant to buy one and it not be that!

Does anyone else have any idea what it could be?