Hot Water Problem/Advice.

JayCee

When running hot water, from any tap within the house, some days it runs fine, but on other days it runs hot for 5 or 6 seconds, then gradually cools within a few seconds and runs very cold, for about 5 or 6 seconds, before heating up again and constantly repeating this cycle, meaning that you can only get a very cool bath.

My boiler is a Potterton Suprima and runs with a Gledhill Boilermate 2000 Storage System.

I recently replaced the flap valve in the WC Cistern and the problem started that night. I was wondering if an air lock somewhere in the system could have appeared whilst the water supply was switched off and this is causing the problem, or maybe the timing is just a coincidence.

Any advice on what the problem could be and how to resolve it, would be very much appreciated.

Thanks.

paintpot

Hi

I posted a thread recently about a Gledhill boiler mate. Is the 2000 the boilermate III?

The problem I had was a blocked cold feed due to sludge and it was similar problem. If you take the front panel off the boilermate, there are lots of lights. If you have the manual there is a troubleshooting guide which tells you what all the lights mean but it took me a while to figure out! It might give you a clue but if it is the cold feed the troubleshooting guide didn't tell me that was the problem.

In my experience, regular plumbers/boiler engineers are not very familiar with Gledhills and when I tried to book an engineer directly through Gledhill I found that they have gone into administration. Not sure if anything has changed on that front.

I don't know where you are based in the country but if you let me know I may be able to recommend somone to you as I have an expert Gledhill engineer now and he is actually coming out again on Tuesday re another problem. Otherwise, be very careful as you may call someone out who hasn't got a clue.

JayCee

Thanks Paintpot,

Not too sure about the Boilermate III, it only says Boilermate 2000 on the front. The house is only 6 years old, but the previous owner never gave me a manual.

I know what you mean about the specialist nature of Gledhill's. I had a heating problem last winter (turned out to be the circuit board on the Potterton) and I asked a work colleague, who was a heating engineer to trade and he told me that he had never seen a Gledhill and wouldn't know where to start.

Where I stay is probably a long shot, but I'm on the outskirts of Glasgow.

paintpot

Hi

Sorry, he doesn't go up that far although he covers a fair patch.

Have a look at this link. See if anything seems relevant. It might give you a clue and I think there's a link to a manual too.

I'm not an expert by any means but due to the problems I had with mine (it's actually not in my own house but a rental property I own, I came to understand it a little better!)

I now have what appears to be a sensor gone causing a central heating problem. I'm not a fan of them I have to say!

See if the pump is functioning (mine is a III) and has two pumps on, one for the water and one for the central heating I believe. Also, check to see if the tank is warm, mine has 10 lights on, all 10 lit, means the water is hot, and the lights reduce dependant on the temp but whilst it said it was hot and all ten were lit, the tank itself did not feel hot.

That's about as much as I can say but the link might help further.

http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=24742

paintpot

Oh and have a look at this link too:

http://www.angier.co.uk/david/2006-06-11-more-boilermate-problems

Link to manual

http://www.gledhill.net/pdfmanuals/User%20Instructions/BoilerMater2000non-switch%20User.pdf

JayCee

Thanks again Paintpot.

Links are very useful. First thing I noticed was that the settings on my Boiler should always be be at Full. Mine were only just beyond half way, so I have adjusted them. Result is that instead of going from Hot to Cold, water now goes from Hot to Very Very Hot. At least I can now have a hot bath, but with a 6 year old daughter, I'll have to do something about the temperature fluctuation, to prevent her from scalding herself.

paintpot

Glad it was useful to you. Yes, I do remember that was the first thing I checked about the max setting on the boiler but it was correct. I do seem to recall that on the boilermate III you "might" be able to change the temp of the water stored. I'm not sure but have a check of the manual as I believe yours is different to mine. Glad you've had some joy anyway. There's nothing worse than cold water! The water is very hot indeed in my rental house but they are two adults so not the same concern you have.

Good luck!

JayCee wrote: »

Thanks again Paintpot.

Links are very useful. First thing I noticed was that the settings on my Boiler should always be be at Full. Mine were only just beyond half way, so I have adjusted them. Result is that instead of going from Hot to Cold, water now goes from Hot to Very Very Hot. At least I can now have a hot bath, but with a 6 year old daughter, I'll have to do something about the temperature fluctuation, to prevent her from scalding herself.