Problems with a Vokera Linea (24?) combi boiler (surprise!)

[Coldfish]

I have a Vokera Linea combi boiler. Don't think it has ever been properly looked after. Now that I try to switch the central heating on it is causing me problems again. It is okay on just hot water, but on the heating the pressure keeps dropping (from 1.5bar to 0bar in a day or two). It makes a sound like it is ticking over, but does nothing else, except sometimes turns flashes 04 (code for insufficient pressure/flow) and takes quite a few goes, and putting it back to hot water only for it to restart. Have turned Rads on, thermostat up high and water temp dial on boiler up high, but it still refuses to heat any rads. Any ideas on what the problem might be and how easy it is to fix it.

Boiler is about 9 years old - what is their lifespan - presuming frustrated boiler users don't throw them out of the window first?

Would i be better off replacing it with something decent?

Help would be very much appreciated.

Coldfish (that's how i feel without heating!)

 

[GPlumb]

Its either your expansion vessel thats busted or the system is full of air

The vessel will needed re pressurized or replaced. Read the the wiki/FAQ

 

[gas4you]

Are you saying that when the heating is on the gauge goes to over 3 bar quickly then loses pressure, or that the pressure drops from 1.5 bar regardless?

If the first then as advised you need to check the EV, see FAQs, if the latter the PRV may be passing, check 15mm discharge pipe for dripping outside, or you may have a leak on the system somewhere.

These are an average boiler and I would expect it to be about 2/3rds through its life span at present.

 

[nickso]

.

These are an average boiler and I would expect it to be about 2/3rds through its life span at present.

carp, best non condensing combi ever made. love them

 

[gas4you]

The ones around my way are always going wrong, I'm not that impressed

Or was that a sarcastic comment as they are easy to fix nick?

 

[Agile]

If they are fitted to a clean system and the knobs are treated like delicate plastic then they are very reliable without any inherent faults.

Apart from broken knobs, all the faults I have ever had to fix on them are the usual dirt related problems.

Tony

 

[Paul Barker]

Yes I agree with Tony. Early ones had the bad sit gas valve which stuck but sit sorted that and more recent boilers fitted with the better valve.

Occasionally vokeras need a thermister.

the gland in the horisontally orientated motorised diverter valve suffers from dirt in system water. this boiler is not alone in this design mistake.

Pretty good boiler well worth repairing.

 

[gas4you]

Loads of pcb's. pressure switches, non return valves, the list goes on

 

[nickso]

The ones around my way are always going wrong, I'm not that impressed

Or was that a sarcastic comment as they are easy to fix nick?

didnt think you would agree with me, but then i dont agree with your vaillant fetish

any boiler on a dirty system is prone to problems of some sort.


honestly what i regularly change on lineas round here are thermistors and the odd heat exchanger or gas valve pcb otherwise they need nothing. piece of **** to take apart, nothing is difficult or more than 40 mins of work.....if its not the best it has to be in the top 5 at least.

oh the fan/venturi are prone to blocking but thats a service thing.

 

[gas4you]

My Vaillant fetish has since disappeared

I will only fit them now if I am specifically asked for one by a customer.

 

[Terrywookfit]

My Vaillant fetish has since disappeared

I will only fit them now if I am specifically asked for one by a customer.

Have you "Upgraded" to Saunier Duval?

 

[DP]

Flowmatic was the BEST. Very hard to kill (even on a dirty system). Lineas use lightweight materials.Have seen main HE leak and HWHE burst.

 

[Agile]

Have you "Upgraded" to Saunier Duval?

Saunier Duval are still Vaillant owned!

At least vaillant have decided to stop selling them! Pity someone did not stop selling them 20 years ago!

Tony

 

[nickso]

Flowmatic was the BEST. Very hard to kill (even on a dirty system). Lineas use lightweight materials.Have seen main HE leak and HWHE burst.

the h/e leaks on the flowmatic too, virtually all vokeras for that matter.

i like the flowmatic but its a bit of an antiquated design compared to the linea, thats hardly a surprise of course.