Worcester 12/14 heatslave....Can't trace fault!!

[BeyondBoilingPoint]

Hi everyone, I've been trying to solve my boilers refusal to start for almost 2 weeks now and I've reached the end of the road (and my patience!!)

It's a worcester heatslave 12/14, it has previously had several undiagnosed lockouts, usually solved by either just pressing the reset button or by switching off for a minute then back on, it would then work unhindered for a while, it has been serviced 12 months ago, but has always been somewhat temperamental!

We returned from a fortnight away, to find the boiler had decided to totally give up (despite both hot water and CH selected to off)

Through elimination the issue seems to be something to do with either the motor or oil pump.

I've noticed that the motor will not turn the pump (just buzzing noise and relay clicks), but with the pump removed the motor and drive assembly spin just fine. The oil pump is brand new, so is the little plastic coupling from the shaft to the motor.

Obviously fuel will not reach the nozzle, but the mains feed is fine and the pump is fed, just no pressure and not turning, but all works well when shaft is turned manually, as oil is pushed out of the bleed valve.

I'm really at the end of my tether now and everyone is sick of cold/bucket showers! I'm one step from reaching for the lump hammer!

New parts are as follows:- plastic drive shaft coupling, oil pump and solenoid, electrodes, electrode transformer, nozzle, nozzle holder check valve and the photocell.

The small gauge pipe from the pump to the nozzle holder is clear also. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[adlplumbing]

lets me get this right, you been repairing oil parts your self
are you an engineer?

 

[Agile]

Sounds like you prefer to blindly change parts rather than call an engineer?

Whilst changing parts does your motor have an external phase shifting capacitor? If so have your measured it?

I think there are about five engineers on Anglesey and a few more in Bangor!

Tony

 

[oilhead]

Are you sure you have the correct drive dog? Could be that when the pump is clamped into the motor that it is jamming up the drive coupling. They are not all the same, different motors take different couplings.

 

[slapper]

Are you sure you have the correct drive dog? Could be that when the pump is clamped into the motor that it is jamming up the drive coupling. They are not all the same, different motors take different couplings.

+1

 

[Boilerman2]

+2 (But change the Capacitor as well)

 

[oilboffin]

Have you checked the oil pressure in the pump is is set to the right pressure then make sure the pump is set centrally and not too tight. If it's too tight it can slightly distort pump bearing which will make it hard for the motor to turn the pump I've found this a few times

 

[BeyondBoilingPoint]

lets me get this right, you been repairing oil parts your self
are you an engineer?

No, I'm not an engineer, and whilst I understand the importance of proffessional oftec engineers, I'm also bright enough to understand how easy it is to replace one part with a new one!

Let's be honest, with an oil boiler, if you have a good degree of understanding of what you're looking at and what you're doing, then replacement of parts is not exactly difficult.

Sure, for more complex work or for things that would require specialist tools, gauges etc, then yes I would pay an engineer, but I'm not going to waste my hard earned money paying an engineers call out and labour rates to do a straightforward swap of parts...And unless I'm missing the point, isn't this a D.I.Y site?

After all, you don't have to be a mechanic to do basic work on your car do you?

 

[Boilerman2]

Sure, for more complex work or for things that would require specialist tools, gauges etc, then yes I would pay an engineer, but I'm not going to waste my hard earned money paying an engineers call out and labour rates to do a straightforward swap of parts...And unless I'm missing the point, isn't this a D.I.Y site?

Well that paragraph will have p****d of just about anyone on here who could possiby help you !! (most oil service engineers give help and advise on here for NO REWARD!!!) we do not need you making stupid statements like that rubbing our nose in it!! so just remind me why i should help you any further??........nope can't think of a single reason Good luck Byeee!

 

[BeyondBoilingPoint]

Thanks for the info so far chaps!

 

[oilboffin]

Let's settle down stop feeling upset please. I'm only too happy to help anyone and I don't feel p.....ed off at all if some one is struggling and needs help it only helps our professional image if we pull together and help one another let's keep calm and carry on best of luck sorting out your problem

 

[oilhead]

The Lord helps those that help themselves, but having been given some practical advice, the OP appears to dismiss the suggestions.
Yes, it is easy to swap parts. If a motor mechanic tells me the control unit on my sar is goosed, it is easy to swap it, but without the specialist knowledge and sometimes equipment, you can replace an awful lot of parts before you get it right.
A £1 drive coupling is not a lot to gamble on, but if you don't know what you're looking at to start with, you can waste an awful lot of money.
Take off the oil pump and spin the motor by turning the fan. Replace the pump and try again. If it is stiff, and you know the pump is free, then the simple solution is what has been suggested. If you are confident that this is not the problem,
You say that if you understand what you are looking at, replacement of parts is simple. You obviously DON'T know what you are looking at, as the photocell, electrode, electrode holder etc have no relation to the motor spinning.

 

[BeyondBoilingPoint]

Sure, for more complex work or for things that would require specialist tools, gauges etc, then yes I would pay an engineer, but I'm not going to waste my hard earned money paying an engineers call out and labour rates to do a straightforward swap of parts...And unless I'm missing the point, isn't this a D.I.Y site?

Well that paragraph will have p****d of just about anyone on here who could possiby help you !! (most oil service engineers give help and advise on here for NO REWARD!!!) we do not need you making stupid statements like that rubbing our nose in it!! so just remind me why i should help you any further??........nope can't think of a single reason Good luck Byeee!

First of all, apologies! I certainly did not intend to annoy anybody here, but I do think you've misunderstood what I meant.

I was merely saying that I'm capable of doing basic work on the boiler, which includes changing parts, but anything more complex (which would undoubtedly require a trained oftec engineer), Then I would not attempt to do myself, because I wouldn't have the specialist tools or knowledge.

I never mentioned that you were doing this for a reward, nor would I expect you to, I have however, on previous occasions, paid out handsomely for an engineer to come and do the basic tasks that I've done so far, and have learnt to do myself, from both looking at the boiler and from the essential advice on this and other forums.

The simple matter of the fact is that I can no longer afford to pay someone to come and do the basic work that I'm able to do myself....This is surely why these excellent forums exist isn't it, to share knowledge and encourage/help with D.I.Y?

Why would I be rubbing your nose in it, and what exactly is 'It'? I really do feel that you've misinterpreted what I've put there, because I'm merely saying that I cannot afford to pay labour charges for things that I can do myself, surely there's nothing wrong with that and I'm pretty certain most people would say the same with regards to paying for any work that they are able to do themselves....I'm afraid in this day and age, every penny really does count.

I'm sorry if you feel my statement was 'Stupid', but I hope that I've explained what I meant here, because I certainly meant no offense to anyone and am sorry that you somehow read than into my previous post.

 

[BeyondBoilingPoint]

You say that if you understand what you are looking at, replacement of parts is simple. You obviously DON'T know what you are looking at, as the photocell, electrode, electrode holder etc have no relation to the motor spinning.

Thanks very much for your useful advice, much appreciated.

But I feel I must say that I DO know that the photocell, electrodes etc have nothing to do with the motor spinning, they were merely replaced because the glass on the photocell was damaged and the ceramic insulator on one of the electrodes was found to be severely cracked, therefore preventing it sparking.

Thanks again though.

 

[xr4x4]

Holly crap...


Have you checked or changed the capicator????!!!