water dissappearing from hot water tap in kitchen

[frippet]

Something happened last night. The water dissappeared from the hotwater tap in the kitchen (it still works fine in the bathroom). We'd turn it on, and a few seconds later, just as the boiler is starting, it would disappear.

Now it always used to be a little funny - ie you used to turn on the hot water a little bit, then just as it was getting hot, it would dissappear, but then we'd just have to turn it up a bit more, and it would be fine. From last night nothing happened when turning it up a bit more. We can hear the boiler clicking each time we turn it on, but it never really starts, as the water disappears so quickly. We've got a combi boiler.

What can it be?

 

[kevplumb]

dodgy tap

 

[frippet]

I forgot to mention - if you turn it on really quickly to full power, then it works as well. Problem is, then the water flows too quickly to heat it up properly

Is it a common thing? And can it be fixed or do we need to change the tap?

 

[kevplumb]

could try these

 

[JohnD]

Or, to my eye, these ones look better

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=11577&ts=01418

 

[frippet]

Thank you guys - you're really helpful.

Bought new thingy to replace the dodgy thingy inside the tap and it now works beautifully. And it only cost £1 in B&Q. Still think they must have made a mistake...

 

[kevplumb]

And it only cost £1 in B&Q. Still think they must have made a mistake...

too right they did

nice one

 

[JohnD]

I'm just popping up to B&Q now, maybe they've made another mistake