Should I scrap Combi Boiler??????

[paulm34]

I have a Vokera 80sp combi boiler which is playing up with a number of things eg.

Running hot water goes hot and cold (boiler keeps firing up and idles)

Loss of pressure on heating gauge (it sits on nothing then goes to about 2/3 when heating is turned on)

Heating also cuts out even though thermostat says its still firing (temp 80c and cuts out)

I have looked on alot of forums about this aswell as getting 2 local engineers to come and have a look.One said it is not worth spending x amount of money you might aswell bite the bullet and get new boiler?.
The other engineer said he would replace the diaphram on diverter valve as well as pressure switch and check vessel for pressure (which im still waiting for him to get parts .

My conclusion is The diverter valve diagphram needs replacing. The domestic heat exchanger may be scaled up. which has then scaled up the main heat exchanger causing the heating to overheat( as i keep letting new water in to system to bring up pressure) . The vessel needs to be recharged and checked to see if damaged? If i am right this may cost alot of money and may be worth getting a new boiler

I have pumped the vessel up to 1bar as manual says. And it has not gone down yet . And i have also noticed the diverter valve moves the rod in out when the hot taps are turned on. Please help as im unsure what to do

 

[AndersonC]

Set a budget and get some quotes is a starter for ten in my book.

 

[kevplumb]

methinks DP may not agree

 

[DP]

On the other hand, I would say get the boiler serviced properly!!

Carry out this service everyday.

What is the point in ripping out a perfectly good boiler and replacing it with a plastic model with short life.

Some people cannot fix boilers and will be quick to suggest replacement without looking at the overall picture.

For a new boiler you MUST get the installation cleaned. Why not do that now and get the present boiler serviced so it can serve you better.

If present installation is leaking water, do you think new boiler will magically stop these leaks.

Post your loaction so a regular can contact you.

 

[Agile]

Paul, part of what you said was:-

"""The other engineer said he would replace the diaphram on diverter valve as well as pressure switch and check vessel for pressure (which im still waiting for him to get parts """

This fellow seems to have a good idea of what the problems are but you have not said whats happening about him?

I do hope that you have not had him diagnose the faults without being paid just so that you can fix them yourselves?

We make a fixed price diagnostic charge ( which includes most fixing except parts obviously ) just to avoid any posibility of anyone doing that!

Tony Glazier

 

[ChrisR]

It's hard to diagnose exactly from what we have, but it sounds like there may be very little wrong with your boiler. It will be sludged up to some extent, which is fixable and not the boilers fault.

Before you go buying a new one, do remember that the same plonkers who can't can't fix your boiler are likely to be the cheapest to replace it, and would demonstrate the same lack of ability while doing so!

 

[paulm34]

Thanks for replies No im not going to repair it my self as that would be stupid. I just checked the vessel my self as that was a simple operation to do. I am still wait for parts which was ordered from the last corgi engineer about 2 weeks ago. I could of ordered the parts my self and got them the next day off the net Its just frustating having to wait so long . I did forget to mention where the domestic diaphram is situated there seems to be white scale leaking past it onto the rod. (so i guess he is right about the diaphram) Is there any point of buying any of that descaler from B&Q to put into the system to try and see if that helps. As if the there is scale there must be some in the heat exchangers

 

[paulm34]

im located in lincolnshire

 

[Agile]

Two weeks seems far too long to have to wait for the parts!

What does the fellow say about this?

As he seems to have a good idea of the problems try to stay with him but I am suspicious of such a long delay!

We keep all these parts in stock for a same day fix!

Tony Glazier

 

[ChrisR]

I just checked the vessel my self as that was a simple operation to do.

Forgive me but I'm suspicious - did you let all the pressure off the ch system , and leave a drain open, while measuring the precharge pressure, and pumping it up? See Boiler Pressure Problems in FAQ section.
Putting a gauge on the PV with the system pressurised tells you nothing.

If the Diverter is leaking through the gland seal in the middle it needs more than a diaphragm. Not a lot more, all stock items, but...

 

[paulm34]

I released the pressure until it was down to nothing. Then i measured pressure in vessel which measured nothing. I then added 1 bar of pressure from dial on foot pump. Now the ch gauge stays around 1 bar untill ch kicks in and rises to about one and a half. As before it used to rise to between 2/3 from nothing. As know the pressure does not drop below 1 bar on gauge i assume thats fixed that . But the ch and dh still cut in and cut out. The ch temp gauge goes up to 80c and cuts out (overheating possible heat exchanger) But i think the dh may be caused by the domestic diaphram and possible blocked domestic heat exchanger, as you can hear kettle noises before it cuts out . But i'm no corgi engineer so i guess i will just have to wait untill he contacts me with parts

 

[Agile]

Dont wait until he contacts you! Call him to see whats going on!

The expansion vessel has to be pressurised to about 0.8 Bar but with the system open to the atmosphere AS YOU ARE PUMPING !

 

[paulm34]

i did ring him he said he would contact me when the parts are here He said it must be down to the easter bank holiday (Yer right) I feel that i am tied to him now he has ordered the parts. Should i give him untill the middle of next week and try someone else?

 

[Paul Barker]

some of us get bogged down in the installation work so can't find time to get out to the repairs. I just spent 10 days doing an installation I planned 5 days in my callender. Consequently I have been awol from all other work, despite having worked day and evening every day without for 10 days including during bank holiday, and as a pcc member of local church that is both incorrect and upseting.

So cut him some slack.

otoh, he can always use those parts, there are plenty of these boilers about, all with the symptoms you are experiencing, so he won't have them in stock for long.

 

[Paul Barker]

I spose for some of the guys here, who just do repairs it's easier to give a good service to breakdown clients.

In low populus areas we have to be jacks of all trades, and when we are deep in installations (which due to notification and part p situation we'd drop at a moments notice if there was enough local population to sustain us on service/ repair work) we can't just drop everything.