Potterton Puma 100(E) Burning smell is back!!

[Ollie_joe]

I recently needed to replace the PCB on my Potterton Puma 100(E) after it had burnt out. I understand this is a common problem with this particular model of combi boiler.

I installed the new board on Tues. This morning however, I noticed a burning smell coming from the boiler. The smell was similar the the burning smell i had noticed just prior to the original board burning out.

Could it be possible the new PCB is also on its way out after just one day?

Or could the problem be elsewhere. Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Also worth mentioning is that about a year we had a boiler repair man round to do some work and I think he replaced the fan, although i shall have to check this fact.

Regards

Ollie

 

[gavinda]

power off and start sniffin.... could be teh pump as thats related to teh board fault.

 

[bengasman]

why did you replace the pcb?

 

[gavinda]

flames from the top left corner i reckon

 

[Ollie_joe]

The mains light stopped working and the Cntral heating and Hot water both ceased. After searching through the forums I managed to diagnose the problem. The top left corner on the PCB would spark after trying to reboot it and after removing the board i noticed the corner was burnt.

A quick search through the forums identifyed the problem and offered the solution of replacing the board.

But beginning to think that the fault lies deeper than just a dodgy PCB, and perhaps could be a fan/pump issue as has been mentioned in previous threads

 

[Ollie_joe]

After checking the facts I can confirm that i was actually the Wax divertor valve which was replaced around 1 year ago.

Not sure if this is of any relevance to my new problem

 

[Ollie_joe]

Coul it be the fan. I mention this as I have notice a rather loud rattling noise recently. The noise is coming from the boiler cover but could it be the fan that is generating this noise. And the could this same fan be responsible for the burning smell we keep getting.

ANy thoughts would be much appreciated?

Cheers

Ollie

 

[Agile]

The fan is in an enclosed box and if it were making any smell it would get blown out of the flue.

It might be the pump smelling !

On the new PCB !

Tony

 

[Ollie_joe]

Is the pump easy to get and replace?
Do you think it is worth trying to fix this problem myself or should I admit defeat and call a specialist?
How much does on of these pumps usually cost?

 

[mickyg]

the fan can take out the pcb on this model. so its a possibility your pcb could be on its way out again thanks to a dodgy fan.

 

[steve32]

was the replaced p c b new potterton part or recon

 

[Ollie_joe]

I believe it is a new potterton PCB. Came in a sealed Interpart box with "genuine part for BAXI . Potterton" written on the side.

Last year after the gas man replaced the wax diverter valve he also replaced the pump. I woulkd like to think these parts last a little longer than 12 months a pop.

How can i get acces to the pump or fan to check for faults, are there any tell tale signs i should be looking out for?

 

[steve32]

sounds ok most recons are on e bay.
the most likely burning smell would come from pcb or transformer 24v on pl6.1 & pl6.2 on board I think.
turn off power drop down front unit housing pcb and check there are no leaks water dripping on connecter block will cause smelling.
while power is off have a good smell of components that may identify it.

 

[Ollie_joe]

After switching off at the mains and having a good old sniff. I have concluded that the smell seems to be more noticeable round mains area to the lower right hand side of the boiler.

A week before i replaced the PCB the fuse in the mains went. It was a 3amp fuse which I immediately replaced. This happened shortly after first noticing the burning smell.

Is it possible the burning smell could be coming from the mains power supply. I have never had this type of problem before, where a smell is coming from a mains usually it is a faulty appliance that gives off this type of smell. The boiler has been hard wired into the mains so no plugs involved.

Does this shed any further light on my situation?
Am very confused?

 

[steve32]

When you say lower right side off boiler do you mean the boiler or external ie main switch.
Yes if the screws are not tight then this can cause arcing and burn terminals.
turn off power and check terminal block screws on boiler and external switch.
and you refitted 3amp fuse.