Problem with boiler

fred funk }{

Looking for a bit of help folks.

Im having a problem with my boiler, it's a ferroli. The problem is that when it starts up it will go back to standby mode after a minute or two. It's the same whether I switch the heating or the water on. I have checked the stat to make sure it wasn't lowered down accidentally. Thanks.

DGOBS

Which Ferroli? Tempra?

If its staying in standby then sounds like an external control problem, time clock etc, or is it giving you any flashing indicator? What's the water pressure on the gauge?

Need a bit more detail to help you

fred funk }{

DGOBS wrote: »

Which Ferroli? Tempra?

If its staying in standby then sounds like an external control problem, time clock etc, or is it giving you any flashing indicator? What's the water pressure on the gauge?

Need a bit more detail to help you

Thanks for the help DGOBS.

The only flashing indicator is the green stand by light. It's a Tempra and the pressure is just a bit over 0 but I think it's normally around that but I could be mistaken.

EDIT: It was working perfect until last night, never had a problem before.

DGOBS

Which indicates standby, so not external demand for heat, time clock or controls seem to be the issue.

fred funk }{

DGOBS wrote: »

Which indicates standby, so not external demand for heat, time clock or controls seem to be the issue.

When I turn the timer on it starts up for a minute or two then turns off, would that mean its more than likely the stat?

DGOBS

hmmm, seems a bit odd, when you 'starts up' does it actually fire?
if so, could be an internal stat, a stuck pump etc, but you will need an RGI out to
check into this one for you as you can't do it yourself

fred funk }{

Yeah it fires up, I can hear it burning. I'll check again when I get home. Thanks for the help.

fred funk }{

OK Update.

I was mistaken before. The hot water is working fine and stays on but the heating cuts off shortly after firing up.

DGOBS

Is it a combi? Instant hot water? (Modena not a Tempra) make and model?

If a Tempra, sounds like the mv in your hot press is faulty (and not wired with interlock)

fred funk }{

No, no instant hot water. Sorry DGOBS but what's the 'mv'?

DGOBS

Motorised valve, under the boiler or in your hot press

fred funk }{

Found it. The light turns on when the heating is switched. Correct? No noise from it at all.

DGOBS

Small handle On the side, move and lock into the manual position and retry heating, if it works chances are the valve needs replacing

fred funk }{

Tried that. It doesn't stay on manual, am I to hold it over until I know the heating is on?

DGOBS

Will stay on manual, it hooks into it.
Or unclip or unscrew valve head from
The pipe work and turn the valve underneath to open position

fred funk }{

I clipped onto manual and the heating is working. Couple of questions, what exactly does that pump do? And roughly how much does it cost to replace or is it something I could do myself.

Thanks again, you've been a great help.

DGOBS

That valve opens up the water pipe work to your central heating from the boiler, as it wasn't opening and is not wired via interlock then the boiler fired with nowhere to shift the heat to do came up to temperature in a minute.

The valve is mounted via a clip or 2 screws depending on the make, if you can do some electrics it's pretty easy to replace, turn off power, remove and disconnect wiring, bring to local plumbing shop and get exact replacement.

fred funk }{

I'm sure I can manage that. Fair play to you for the help, I owe you one and I'll let you know how I get on.

DGOBS

Most welcome

hillviewfarm

My daughter has a problem with her heating. Her boiler is trying to start up but it doesn't catch (if you know what I mean). There seems to be oil in the tank because when she bled the boiler a lot of oil came out. Any ideas? She has had problems with this for a while as it has been burning upto 40 euro of oil in a few days and she uses it sparingly? Any ideas on what it could be or what she should do. All suggestions welcome!

dpofloinn

From what you describe it sounds like someone tried to bleed the boiler via the pressure adjusting screw and messed up the pressure which is now letting in more oil than is required for burning,which in turn has messed up the oil to air ratio so it is burning dirty which is blinding the photocell so I think the best solution for you is to get an OFTEC tech out to service the boiler and set it back to right

shane0007

Is the boiler going to lock out, i.e. you have to press the reset boiler to restart the ignition sequence or is it just continuously purging (you can just hear the fan) and not attempting to fire?

hillviewfarm

Hiya,

sorry don't know what purging is. It is going like trying to start a car but it never starts. Does that make sense? Also, it is burning an awful lot of oil. 250 Euro in 3 weeks and it was on about 2/3 hours a night, used sparingly. thanks

shane0007

hillviewfarm wrote: »

It is going like trying to start a car but it never starts.

Sorry and I'm not trying to be smart, but if it never starts how does it burn oil? Is the burner actually firing and the system heating up?
Is it firing, then stop firing, then firing and so on but never going to lock out?

hillviewfarm

No problem. It is not firing, that is the problem. It is in my daughters and she has had nothing but problems with it. Her landlord said that there is nothing wrong with it. She thought that she was out of oil but when she opens the screw to bleed it, the oil gushes out. Does that make sense?

shane0007

It is not an oil supply issue.
Is it going to lock out, i.e. you have to press the red reset button to restart the ignition sequence or is it doing what I previously described?

K.Flyer

hillviewfarm wrote: »

No problem. It is not firing, that is the problem. It is in my daughters and she has had nothing but problems with it. Her landlord said that there is nothing wrong with it. She thought that she was out of oil but when she opens the screw to bleed it, the oil gushes out. Does that make sense?

If its using excessive amounts of oil and at the same time not firing properly, you really need to get an Oftec to look at it.
It would not be possible to advise you on making adjustments to the boiler pressure / air settings unless you have the correct equipment and know how to use it (its a bit like trying to give someone a haircut over the phone).
The Oftec will set it up properly, advise you and give you a report (for your landlord?).