combi-boiler problem

Glad · 4 December 2005 at 3:58PM

we have a potterton combi-boiler,
last night we noticed the heating hadn't been on but it was too late to worry,
today we have the following; pilot light but heating isn't on and water isn't hot, I know we'll have to call someone out tomorrow but has anyone any ideas what it could be??

moneysavingplumber · 4 December 2005 at 4:06PM

Is it a Potterton Puma? If so, it's probably the MCB (modulating control board), but it could be any of the following also: fan, air switch, gas control valve. The last MCB I replaced on one of these was about £65 plus VAT if I remember rightly. The engineer can usually check where the board has blown as they tend to blow at the same points, often leaving a black mark and sooty 'transformer' smell.

iluvmylexus · 5 December 2005 at 12:03AM

i have had dozens of problems with my potterton puma, it could be the diverter valve that diverts hot water from the central heating system to the hot water taps, it could be the safety valve in the boiler cutting in too soon to stop the boiler overheating, (mine does this all the time because apparently the pipe from the boiler to the rads is too small) when the house is cold , dont turn the thermostat up too high at first, or the boiler will cut out as it overheats. try switching it off and pressing the reset. you might have to switch the power off at the mains too.
also check th guage to see that the pressure hasnt dropped. if this happens you will need to let more water into the system

Glad · 5 December 2005 at 11:23AM

thanks for the help so far, it is a potterton puma, I've tried turning off the power and relighting it, pilot light is on, boiler is fired up (I can hear it) but no heat and no hot water !!!

jobbingmusician · 5 December 2005 at 11:33AM

Pump? I had a boiler once with pilot light on and no heat or hot water. The plumber told me how to fix it over the phone, as follows.

Find the pump (big round thing, on mine). There is a screw in the middle. Twiddle this, as sometimes it gets stuck and then the pump gets stuck.

Sorry this isn't a very good explanation, but hope it helps.

Glad · 5 December 2005 at 2:33PM

just had someone to look at it, it's the fan, he got it running for 5 mins then it went again,
he is going to charge £125 for the fan and £25 labour

BNU_2 · 5 December 2005 at 2:53PM

jobbingmusician wrote:

Pump? I had a boiler once with pilot light on and no heat or hot water. The plumber told me how to fix it over the phone, as follows.

Find the pump (big round thing, on mine). There is a screw in the middle. Twiddle this, as sometimes it gets stuck and then the pump gets stuck.

Sorry this isn't a very good explanation, but hope it helps.

Our pump is unpredictable too. No problems with hot water, but each year when we switch from Water Only to Heat & Water we have to wrap the pump in something soft and hit it with a hammer every few hours until it starts up, but then it is OK for the whole of the season - not very scientific I know - but it is all the plumber did when we had him out the first time! I expect it is only an airlock?

jobbingmusician · 5 December 2005 at 3:16PM

Glad wrote:

just had someone to look at it, it's the fan, he got it running for 5 mins then it went again,
he is going to charge £125 for the fan and £25 labour

Did he leave whilst it was still working, or is the proposed £125 for a new fan?

The labour sounds like a bargain, but I would see if you can google and find out what the fan is likely to be costing him, just to check.

If he's already left, you're not going to pay for a repair that hasn't worked, are you :rolleyes:

combi-boiler problem

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