Vokera Excell SP80 - Pressure Issues

[johnson293]

Had a search around and cant find an answer to this, so here goes...

We have a Vokera Excell SP80 combi boiler, about 12 years old now.

Earlier this week, had the hot tap running and the boiler seemed to be making a 'chugging' sound as the water flowed, and was heated.

Checked the pressure guage and it seemed a bit low (just under 1 bar) - so I opened the pressure top up valve (not sure of the tech term) and topped it up to about 1.5 bar.

Few days later, i noticed the pressure outlet outside was dripping, so checked the pressure guage and the pressure was up abour 2.5 bar.

So have used the pressure release to lower it (red knob underneath, turned until it clicked) and the pressure was back down to 1 bar - but the outlet outside was and still is dripping.

Have had issues with this before when the pressure was too high, and after using the release valve, the pressure kept dropping after topping up, even though the knob had clicked after each turn. Eventually aftre much trying with the relase knob, the pressure eventually maintained itself. However, the dripping outside is a new thing which has only strated since I raised the pressure this week.

Can anyone shed any light on what this may be?

Could it be the pressure release knob not closing off properly, and need replacing, or is it likely to be something bigger?

Cheers for any advice.

 

[kevindgas]

it will cost you £5 for technical advice on this boiler

 

[kevplumb]

Could it be the pressure release knob not closing off properly, and need replacing, or is it likely to be something bigger?

is it dripping outside

So have used the pressure release to lower it (red knob underneath, turned until it clicked) and the pressure was back down to 1 bar - but the outlet outside was and still is dripping.

naughty naughty

change or clean the prv

 

[johnson293]

A further search via Google brought up this thread...

//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=107832

A couple if replies on there suggest that turning the pressure relief valve (the read one which only turns one way then clicks) isn't necessarily a good thing, as it doesn't always reseat or close properly, thus dripping from its outlet.

So it looks likely that the PVR may need cleaning or replacing?

Quite happy to pay an engineer to sort it, but having watched too many episodes of 'Rogue Traders' I don't want to be charged for loads of other things, if it is just the PVR that needs sorting.

 

[bellairaphon]

u say the pressure rises.

first check is the filling loop is it attached check to see if its not passing with the valve closed remove the hose n see if water is still passing through the valve from the cold water supply. now if not u need to check your expansion vessel situated at the back of your boiler. if u can look over the boiler u will see a valve like you would on a tyre remove the cap and press the screed valve does air come out?? if so then that will be ok if you notice water then the vessel is faulty and needs replacing. if nothing comes out attach a pump prefereably with a gauge now open the pressure release valve so it stays in the open position then pressure the vessel upto 1 bar roughly 20 pumps on a foot pump with a single barrel. then close the prv repressurise the system put the c/h on and take not of the pressure gauge. sometimes u can get some dirt under the seating which will cause the prv to pass they can be stripped and cleaned and 9/10 work fine afterwards.