New boiler: Viessmann?

[giblets]

but my unit is nearly three years old and last week was the first service I had on it, in the hope a clean out might cure the F4 fault!

And people wonder why their boilers break down when they can't be bothered to have them serviced.

I bet they don't do that with their new cars.

 

[stroller133]

I seriously doubt that the not having it serviced has contributed to this problem, as it appears to be a common problem. The Corgi registered engineer, who installed a different system for us in a previous home, failed to see the problem anyway, so how he could have prevented it in previous years. In fact he said the system was in good condition internally.

And on the subject of car servicing, it it wasn't for resale value I would just change the oil and check the car myself. In my experience I get fleeced for servicing (probably just an oil change) and when something is actually wrong with a car, the 'experts' can't find anything wrong it and I get fobbed off with the computer says verything is fine!

I do now regret not servicing the boiler, but NOT for any mechaical reason. If it had been serviced I might have had a case to insist Viesmann put right their badly designed/built system. Of course it is not in too bad shape it less than three years old. Now its getting older I would probably get it looked at every 18 months or so.

 

[Agile]

I do now regret not servicing the boiler, but NOT for any mechaical reason. If it had been serviced I might have had a case to insist Viesmann put right their badly designed/built system. Of course it is not in too bad shape it less than three years old. Now its getting older I would probably get it looked at every 18 months or so.

You dont seem to have read that you have to have the boiler serviced at the end of the FIRST year to qualify for the second year warrantee cover.

Now the warrantee is three years extended to FIVE years when fitted by a Viessmann approved installer ( like us! ).

However, to qualify for that FIVE year warrantee its essential that the boiler is serviced EVERY YEAR !

The failure of the ignition unit would not be prevented by a service but if I was called to a Viessmann then I would replace the ignition unit if it was not black.

Tony

 

[stroller133]

The failure of the ignition unit would not be prevented by a service but if I was called to a Viessmann then I would replace the ignition unit if it was not black.

I can now see the point of a service from a specialist on the Viessmann as it seems not many engineers are familiar with them. Those that are, like yourself, would see that the ignition unit was a type that would develop a fault later on, and a suppose could have had it changed at the first year service whilst still in warranty.

Do you know if the F4 fault caused by the Ignition unit/PCB can cause the boiler to run differently when it does start? Over the last few weeks the boiler doesn't "seem so smooth" - can't really describe it any other way.

Over the last week or so when using the hot water it heats on a high level, then the temp display goes up to 90 degrees(don't believe it this hot?) and the burners turns off for a few seconds, but doesn't come on quick enough to prevent the water at the tap/shower being cold for a few seconds. Usually at the set point on hot water the temp is a constant 50-55degrees. The central heating is also coming on for several short bursts to heat the house up to the setpoint rather than 1-3 longer spells.

I hope this will be sorted by the F4 repairs, but will still be better to have it start all the time even if the operation is not as finely tuned as it should be. Another thread has suggested that turning up the temperate dial would cure this, but as it as worked fine on these setting so far, this seem a bit of fudge.

Any one have any ideas?

 

[Agile]

The F4 fault only affects the boiler at the start up stage and has no effect once its running.

Just to be difficult, there are several start up problems but they all give rise to the F4 fault code.

It is really a very minor issue because once the ign unit goes black the overall reliability is back to normal.

If your hot water goes hot/cold thats an indication of a partially blocked plate heat exchanger. Did your servicer check this with a thermal survey? The central heat "bursts" implies that the max heat output has not been set to match the system. Again did your servicing engineer check/reset this?

To get the best from any boiler it really is necessary to get a professional who understands how boilers work.

Tomorrow I am going to sort out a messed up boiler where the nupty CORGI installer spent an hour on the phone to the tech help and was still unable to get it set up properly.

Before engaging a boiler installer ask to see their flue gas analyser! Did your servicer use one to check your boiler?

Tony

 

[Homesafe]

I am an approved installer for Viessmann and can offer a 5 year guarantee on fitting these boilers.

I have been fitting viessman 100 and 200's exclusively for the last 2 and a half years and have fitted over 40, you want a list of the faults?

1. Faulty ignition blocks (giving F4 faults) both gray and black units

2. Faulty PCBs (giving F4 faults)

3. Perforating expansion vessels in less than the 2 year warranty

4. Splitting elbows on aqua blocks causing floods and electrical component damage, Viessman reluctantly admitted that they are now replacing all these at the services!!!

5. Faulty diverter valves, I had 2 go down within 24 hours of fitting them!!

6. Splitting ruber hoses from heat exchanger - floods!!

7. F5 faults on fans, sticking flaps

And most worrying of all!!!

8. Condensate falling onto heatproof pad in main he, causing it to crumble, fall onto burner and crack and split the burner within a year of installation.

I have had a 135% callout for repairs on those in guarantee along with 2 other companies in my area.

Viessmann parts support is virtually non existent, their customer service is appalling, I was told after a brand new boiler failed on the diverter valve that they had none left in the country!!!!

ssooo you dont recommend them then

 

[stroller133]

If your hot water goes hot/cold thats an indication of a partially blocked plate heat exchanger. Did your servicer check this with a thermal survey? The central heat "bursts" implies that the max heat output has not been set to match the system. Again did your servicing engineer check/reset this?

Thanks for your really helpful comments, I think when the chap did the service he must have inadvertently changed some settings. I am doubtful about heat exchanger, I think the cold water is caused by the burner turning off as it thinks the water is too hot, the digital display reads 90 degrees, when it usually reads about 50. Unless the blocked heat exchanger could cause this? A possible temp sensor fault?

I think I should wait for the Viessmann engineer to come and fix the F4 ignition faults and then contact a local Viessmann expert to come and do a thorough service & optimisation visit, I imagine going through Viessmann could be expensive.

Thanks for your advice

 

[Agile]

Most Viessmann service engineers are independent and can work directly for you if required.

A blocked plate HE allows an increased differential across the plate. You can even feel them yourself although a contact thermometer is better.

Tony

 

[stroller133]

I can see what you mean now, the engineer who came and changed the PCB & Ignition module explained it to me and showed me an old one out of his van.

 

[gasmark]

I am an approved installer for Viessmann and can offer a 5 year guarantee on fitting these boilers.

I have been fitting viessman 100 and 200's exclusively for the last 2 and a half years and have fitted over 40, you want a list of the faults?

We fitted about 350 of Vitodens 100/200 in our housing stock and have experienced some of the same issues GasFreak. We eventually had to stop fitting them.

1. Faulty ignition blocks (giving F4 faults) both gray and black units

2. Faulty PCBs (giving F4 faults)

If I'm remembering correctly, we had quite a lot of issues with faulty ignition blocks which would blow the PCBs, and then had a host of problems getting replacement parts.

7. F5 faults on fans, sticking flaps

We are still having problems with this. Tenants turn off boiler whilst away. Return home to no H/HW. Bloody flap (the oddly named jemisclapper) stuck. End up replacing.

Viessmann parts support is virtually non existent, their customer service is appalling, I was told after a brand new boiler failed on the diverter valve that they had none left in the country!!!!

We had a particularly had time getting Viessman to admit to the injector/PCB problem and an equally hard time getting replacement parts.

Quite a list of errors, I would like to know if you have fitted any of the new range of viessmann vitodens 100?
I have recently started fitting the new 100 range after speaking to the tech rep at a breakfast morning i checked out the boiler and asked other engineers about said product most said the same about the old product i went to Telford to get my 5 year guarantee and fitted my first one of many (35 so far this year) all has been good and i will continue to fit this product. I also offer the weather comp with these boilers.

 

[Dms56]

I have been fitting Viessmann Boilers since June 2007 and apart from the grey ignition blocks and a couple of Pcb's (old 100 models) I've had very few problems. I have fitted loads of the new 100 Range and have never had a fault. My son and I have attended the Viessmann Training Centre and gained their 5 Year Warranty guarantee. I have rung the Viessmann technical helpline and warranty hotline and have never been disappointed.

I have fitted nearly every make of gas boiler in the last 42 years and we all know the New "A" Rated boilers rely heavily on modern electronics and at some stage something will go wrong, the secret is know your boiler, get to know your rep (a phone call from him will source any part or sort any problem very quickly) .

 

[JohnD]

I have a 100 Compact, how can I tell if it is the old or new kind, and why is the new one better?

 

[Dms56]

The new Viessmann 100 compact is not out yet, the old model is a very good boiler.

 

[gasmark]

The new Viessmann 100 compact is not out yet, the old model is a very good boiler.

Viessmann are bringing out a new compact which i have seen at the training centre in Telford. It has had some great improvements including the much welcomed air vent to the heat ex also it will now fit in a kitchen cupboard with also the option of weather comp (2 pipe system ) I look foward to putting it through its paces.

 

[Nudge77]

Hi All

I had the Viessmann Vitoden 100 30kw version installed about 12 months ago. I was told by the engineer who installed it that they were great boilers. I have had the Diverter valve/cartridge replaced 3 times already so that equates to 4 failures of the same part within 12 months. The 2nd time i had it replaced the engineer that installed it told me to phone Viessmann and ask them to replace the new style valve with the old style as there was a common failure rate with the new style valves. This valve also failed and i am beginning to think that this problem is just going to occur over and over again until the warranty runs out and i have to start paying for them to be replaced. I have noticed that on the occasions it's failed is when the boiler has not had the central heating turned on for a while but i'm not sure if this is anything to do with the problem or it's just coincidence. The latest valve replacement was today 21/7/09 and i had someone sit in for me whilst i was at work. They have got it going again but this time they did not leave any proof of repair as they have done in the past so i don't know what version of the valve they have used ?. I am going to phone the engineer who installed the system tomorrow and get it's 1st service and see what he makes of it all. The occasions i have had to phone Viessmann they have been very helpful so far. I do have a five year warranty as the engineer who installed the system is an approved Viessmann installer. Any other suggestions though would be appreciated.