Boiler fault finding

[jimcorrigans]

Hello everyone,
I am a Newbei so if I break any rules it will be by accident, just let me know.
I am looking for some advice from this fountain of knowledge. I am forced into changing direction with my career, for the past 40 years I have been installing and the knees have had it. I am thinking of specialising just on boiler repair and servicing but I lack expertise. I know the basics and can eventually repair a boiler (usually with the help of the manufacturer’s tec help line). I know there are manufacturers training courses but I feel I need to learn a lot more first. So can anyone recommend some good (how to repair a boiler type) books and training courses.
Many Thanks

 

[diverdee]

ring all the boiler makers they all do courses specializing or general.prices vary most around fifty pounds upwards for day courses. combi awareness ect and all supply loads of literature plus freebys to keep

 

[Agile]

There is a Mr Combi training in Bedford. A few people have found it useful.

ARGI try to arrange some manufacturers courses with free attendance.

Some people when they get older find it difficult to learn new tricks.

Tony

 

[nickso]

Some people when they get older find it difficult to learn new tricks.

Tony

modesty?

 

[fitz1]

ive not been in the game very long and find that i doubt my own diagnostics , yet ive repaired every boiler ive come across that was financially repairable.

 

[jimcorrigans]

ring all the boiler makers they all do courses specializing or general.prices vary most around fifty pounds upwards for day courses. combi awareness ect and all supply loads of literature plus freebys to keep

I didn't realise manufacturers done more general courses, I will ring some today. Thanks for that.

 

[jimcorrigans]

ive not been in the game very long and find that i doubt my own diagnostics , yet ive repaired every boiler ive come across that was financially repairable.

I think you have hit the nail on the head when you talk about doubting your own diagnostics, if you work within a larger organisation you can use your workmates as yardsticks and pick thier brains when you are in a jam, you would soon know if you are good or bad at the job. When I think back over the years I have repaired lots of boilers successfully so maybe I am not as bad as I think I am although combis are quite complicated and I know I need to learn a bit on these. I always worry when I have to replace a £150 PCB only to find out that the boiler still doesn't work. It hasn't happened to me yet but I am sure it will. Is there a 100% way of testing a board?
Thanks for your post

 

[jimcorrigans]

There is a Mr Combi training in Bedford. A few people have found it useful.

ARGI try to arrange some manufacturers courses with free attendance.

Some people when they get older find it difficult to learn new tricks.

Tony

I am going to give this guy a call today, I will keep you posted. The "Old dog new tricks" bit caused a shudder, Wasn't col Sanders of KFC fame 65 when he started. The famous McDonalds was started by a wrinkly and when you look at all the degrees being awarded to OAP's by the Open Univertisy I think I am in with a chance so I wont give up just yet, but I get your point and thanks.

 

[Agile]

I only say "some people" !

Of course some people can learn new things up to their death in their 90s.

BUT others find new things difficult as they get older! A friend's father flew Lancasters bombing Berlin during the 1940s. He then flew comets and other planes for BA but later found flying 747's when he was over 50 years old as rather "stretching" him so he retired at 54 !

Yesterday, I was talking to a friend who had been on a Mr Combi course and he said he didn't feel he had learnt anything useful.

Tony

 

[diverdee]

most important is have the manual for it and use it.most boilers have a sequence follow this when testing all these have to be proved to the pcb. as a norm it is the pump first has the flow switch proved ? then fan has the air switch moved over ? (unless is a modulating gas valve can have no air switch) then has gas valve opened ? and then ignition this proved via thermo couple or ionisation sensor follow this routine ca save a lot of time and money

 

[jimcorrigans]

most important is have the manual for it and use it.most boilers have a sequence follow this when testing all these have to be proved to the pcb. as a norm it is the pump first has the flow switch proved ? then fan has the air switch moved over ? (unless is a modulating gas valve can have no air switch) then has gas valve opened ? and then ignition this proved via thermo couple or ionisation sensor follow this routine ca save a lot of time and money

I have read a few manuals and they don't really make it transparent what the sequence is, unless I am missing something. Would you say that sequence you have suggested is for the majority of combi's?

 

[jimcorrigans]

I only say "some people" !

Of course some people can learn new things up to their death in their 90s.

BUT others find new things difficult as they get older! A friend's father flew Lancasters bombing Berlin during the 1940s. He then flew comets and other planes for BA but later found flying 747's when he was over 50 years old as rather "stretching" him so he retired at 54 !

Yesterday, I was talking to a friend who had been on a Mr Combi course and he said he didn't feel he had learnt anything useful. Tony

Of course you are right about slowing down when you get older but when we are young we spend our time chasing too many rabbitts and take our eye off the ball.
A bit disappointed to hear about mr combi, I think I will look towards the manufacturers courses. Thanks for your help Tony, really appreciated.

 

[diverdee]

am 48 n must get 50 calls a week from the younger lads on faults which includes new boilers as well as the old ones .you never to old to learn just got to concentrate more lol. the principals always the same just methods differ

 

[jimcorrigans]

what is your best tip on boiler repairs?

 

[lagunaglen]

My best tip is to get a list of all boiler manufacturers and call them when its not an obvious fault.
You may have to wait between 2- 20 mins but they are usually very useful. To save time have cover on pcb off and combustion cover removed so you can start testing what they ask you to with the multi meter.
Where i work we never have a manual left with boiler and by the time ive fired a laptop up i can have found fault with techs help, its what they are there for.