I have a Minimiser SE which is giving me flame on flame off in 3 seconds, it lights first time but just doesn't stay lit. I admit it has not been regularly serviced - i can't remember the last time but to be honest it has worked OK to date. I think the boiler is about ten years old. So the question is given the bad reputation of these units do I (or an engineer) investigate further or before I spend any money on it look at a possible replacement and if so with what ??
Minimiser SE again.....
- Thread starter Sako
- Start date
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Whats the point of replacing it when you don't have your boiler serviced.Minimisers were problematic but once the modified gas valve kit and a 5 attempt PCB was fitted they were OK providing YOU HAVE IT SERVICED.
Rant over
Rant over
45yearsagasman you are right I have no excuse, I will wear a hair shirt and stand on the naughty step tonight.
However I appreciate your comments and if you are suggesting fixing the boiler could be cost effective then I will look into it. I had read somewhere the heat exchanger became so clogged with aluminium on neglected boilers it had to be replaced.
However I appreciate your comments and if you are suggesting fixing the boiler could be cost effective then I will look into it. I had read somewhere the heat exchanger became so clogged with aluminium on neglected boilers it had to be replaced.
That is correct about the heat exch and they are notoriously difficult to clean properly.It may be worth a go at servicing/repairing it but as is 10 yrs old a replacement may be on the cards.I wouldn't spend more than £200 on it.
Now back to the naughty step for you.That made me smile
Now back to the naughty step for you.That made me smile
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sako i agree with 45yearsgasman. I absolutly hate the minimser and a similar ideal responce. You dont want to be throwing good money away so think sensibly.
Perhaps even concider asking a company offering a fixed price repair on this boiler.
I had one doing the same before christmas, too embaressed to say how much of an afternoon i wasted on it but in the end needed to order up a gasvalve though i eventually got it fired (it was doing the same as yours) the gas valve wouldnt modulate low enough.
Ray
Perhaps even concider asking a company offering a fixed price repair on this boiler.
I had one doing the same before christmas, too embaressed to say how much of an afternoon i wasted on it but in the end needed to order up a gasvalve though i eventually got it fired (it was doing the same as yours) the gas valve wouldnt modulate low enough.
Ray
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two distinct possibilities before you change this horrible turd.
1. electrodes are are known to bend and cause poor ignition/detection.
2. gas valve can allow the burner to light and then not provide adequate pressure for full ignition. on the bottom right of the combustion case there is a metal nipple connected to a red tube. during ignition suck or blow on that nipple (i always forget which), if the burner stays lit with you artificially holding the pressure on then there is a good chance the gas valve is fecked. the diaphragm can get full of water and won't allow the correct GP to keep the burner lit. this isn't foolproof diagnosing but it has solved the problem 90% of the time for me in the past.
worth a go before you bin it if you can stomach the cost of a gas valve.
1. electrodes are are known to bend and cause poor ignition/detection.
2. gas valve can allow the burner to light and then not provide adequate pressure for full ignition. on the bottom right of the combustion case there is a metal nipple connected to a red tube. during ignition suck or blow on that nipple (i always forget which), if the burner stays lit with you artificially holding the pressure on then there is a good chance the gas valve is fecked. the diaphragm can get full of water and won't allow the correct GP to keep the burner lit. this isn't foolproof diagnosing but it has solved the problem 90% of the time for me in the past.
worth a go before you bin it if you can stomach the cost of a gas valve.
Everyone will advise you diffrently down to personal choice. Due to the technical support i get i use Aristons.
An ariston system boiler can come with a 5 year manufacters warrenty so long as its serviced yearly.
Id say get a few diffrent prices from local installers if you look down that route but id try get a boiler with a good length of warrenty for the peace of mind and whatever boilers recommended look into forums like this for general info on peoples opinions.
Ray
An ariston system boiler can come with a 5 year manufacters warrenty so long as its serviced yearly.
Id say get a few diffrent prices from local installers if you look down that route but id try get a boiler with a good length of warrenty for the peace of mind and whatever boilers recommended look into forums like this for general info on peoples opinions.
Ray
Had a guy out today and it's looking more like a replacement than a fix.
I always like to research expensive purchases, what a mine field combi boilers are !! I think there must be an element of spoiling the opposition since you can find more than a dozen 1 star slag offs in sucession for any given boiler on most of the review sites - or are they all basically unreliable ??
I can honestly say I haven't got a clue which make to throw my money at apart from it won't be at an Ideal Minimiser !!
I always like to research expensive purchases, what a mine field combi boilers are !! I think there must be an element of spoiling the opposition since you can find more than a dozen 1 star slag offs in sucession for any given boiler on most of the review sites - or are they all basically unreliable ??
I can honestly say I haven't got a clue which make to throw my money at apart from it won't be at an Ideal Minimiser !!
Ray I wasn't aware they offered that service, does it include parts and labour ?
The comments were we think an actuator valve needs replacing (which I knew) and since it hasn't been serviced for so long maybe the PCB and the gas valve. The heat exchanger is also odds-on clogged but we didn't investigate. There is a cut-out just inside the boiler front cover similar to the flue sensor on the AGA which I forgot to mention regularly "clicks" out.
The comments were we think an actuator valve needs replacing (which I knew) and since it hasn't been serviced for so long maybe the PCB and the gas valve. The heat exchanger is also odds-on clogged but we didn't investigate. There is a cut-out just inside the boiler front cover similar to the flue sensor on the AGA which I forgot to mention regularly "clicks" out.
it sounds bad Sako.
I live in Glasgow. Even if your not a customer the gas board (scottish gas here) offer a fixed price repair. Its got 3 diffrent levels the maximum is £250 and includes all parts and labour (i sometimes suggest it to get out the door) but when you phone up customer services just makesure its a fixed price repair call out as ive had some occasions where the engineers come out and give silly quotes. Most of the time the gas board win, sometimes they lose (hopefully in your case) Even comes with a years warrenty
Ray
I live in Glasgow. Even if your not a customer the gas board (scottish gas here) offer a fixed price repair. Its got 3 diffrent levels the maximum is £250 and includes all parts and labour (i sometimes suggest it to get out the door) but when you phone up customer services just makesure its a fixed price repair call out as ive had some occasions where the engineers come out and give silly quotes. Most of the time the gas board win, sometimes they lose (hopefully in your case) Even comes with a years warrenty
Ray
No worries i just hope you get sucess. I do some contracting for the gas board. Havent in the last few months but im up to speed with how they operate and if its someone i thinks honest/decent ill recommend going down that road.
Last person who has a worcester junior needed a heat exchanger and had someone out who was full of rubbish and left a silly quote thats how i stress when you book out the call makesure its on a fixed price repair. Its up to the engineers own judgement what level of repair but the max is £250 and if you get it fixed at that with a years warrenty then fair play.
Ray
Last person who has a worcester junior needed a heat exchanger and had someone out who was full of rubbish and left a silly quote thats how i stress when you book out the call makesure its on a fixed price repair. Its up to the engineers own judgement what level of repair but the max is £250 and if you get it fixed at that with a years warrenty then fair play.
Ray
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