URGENT: baxi boiler breakdown

mr_accountant

My Baxi boiler has broken down. Basically when i switch on the hot water and/or central heating the boiler does not switch on, all you can hear is a click.

When it was working you could hear the noise of the boiler switching on.

I have looked at the instructions with the boiler and have tried starting the pilot light, which it does, then as soon as I release the on/off button (after 30sesc) the pilot out goes out, therefore i think the problems lies here.

In the information it states it could be a faulty thermocouple or a defective power unit. I have replaced the thermocouple but the pilot light still goes out when i release the on/off button.

So is the faulty power unit theory correct, if so where is it located.

I would be grateful for and help and advice

caveat_emptor

The pilot light will heat the flame failure device (is this your thermocouple?) which opens a small port in the gas valve and allows gas to come through to the pilot and enables the gas valve when the button is released. It won't need electrical power to do this, the pilot will remain on with the power off. If the flame fails then the gas valve won't open.
Have you replaced the flame failure device or something else?

mr_accountant

caveat_emptor wrote:

The pilot light will heat the flame failure device (is this your thermocouple?) which opens a small port in the gas valve and allows gas to come through to the pilot and enables the gas valve when the button is released. It won't need electrical power to do this, the pilot will remain on with the power off. If the flame fails then the gas valve won't open.
Have you replaced the flame failure device or something else?

i think the ffd is the thermocouple. i have posted this elsewhere and they too mention the gas valve, is this a big job?

mr_accountant

albertross wrote:

try holding the button down for much longer, to heat the thermocouple up, it sometimes works.

how much longer should i keep it pressed for, albertross?

Well, had one of those corgi 'experts' down this morning after spending time refitting the thermocouple lead (tc lead) which i already fitted correctly, he then called somewhere for advice! Then he concluded the tc lead and pilot jet should be change just in case the new tc lead was faulty (fair enough), but if this was not the problem then it is the gas valve, cost of gas valve £270+ vat + labour :x

So now im freezing, and don’t know where to turn, by any chance is it worth changing the pilot jet and if so how do i get to this part


Many thanks

caveat_emptor

mr_accountant wrote:

how much longer should i keep it pressed for, albertross?

Well, had one of those corgi 'experts' down this morning after spending time refitting the thermocouple lead (tc lead) which i already fitted correctly, he then called somewhere for advice! Then he concluded the tc lead and pilot jet should be change just in case the new tc lead was faulty (fair enough), but if this was not the problem then it is the gas valve, cost of gas valve £270+ vat + labour :x

So now im freezing, and don’t know where to turn, by any chance is it worth changing the pilot jet and if so how do i get to this part


Many thanks

You don't say which Baxi, but you can get spares from a number of online suppliers https://www.mjtcontrols.co.uk or Google for others. Wouldn't have thought a gas valve would cost £300. You can fit yourself if you have the the right tools etc.
You could remove the gas valve to see that there are no obstructions to the pilot gas flow before buying a new valve.
If the gas valve fails it's normally the solenoid but this wouldn't explain why the pilot doesn't stay lit.
Normal safety precautions apply.

Cardew

caveat_emptor wrote:

You can fit yourself if you have the the right tools etc.
You could remove the gas valve to see that there are no obstructions to the pilot gas flow before buying a new valve.
If the gas valve fails it's normally the solenoid but this wouldn't explain why the pilot doesn't stay lit.
Normal safety precautions apply.

I thought I read somewhere that it is now illegal to work on gas fittings unless you are Corgi qualified - even in your own house.

Does anyone know for certain?

tonyp2020

mr_accountant wrote:

i think the ffd is the thermocouple. i have posted this elsewhere and they too mention the gas valve, is this a big job?

By other places do you mean

http://cgi.www.a1-gas.co.uk/index.html?http://cgi.www.a1-gas.co.uk/cgi-bin/www.a1-gas.co.uk/bbmat.cgi

If not try searching the message board at the site for your boiler model, and if you dont find anything, post a question. The more information you supply, the better the answer usually.
Good luck.

caveat_emptor

Cardew wrote:

I thought I read somewhere that it is now illegal to work on gas fittings unless you are Corgi qualified - even in your own house.

Does anyone know for certain?

Don't know for certain but you're probably right. But faced with a CORGI expert fixing a problem by trial and error at my expense or doing it myself, I know what I'd do.

Cardew

caveat_emptor wrote:

Don't know for certain but you're probably right. But faced with a CORGI expert fixing a problem by trial and error at my expense or doing it myself, I know what I'd do.

Agreed.

A BG fitter once was honest enough to admit to me that was exactly what they did as in some cases as it was not always possible to diagnose the fault.

mr_accountant

just an update

Basically the clown who wanted £270+ fitting +vat for the gas valve was told where to go.

A proper boiler engineer came round and had a look for free, it was indeed the gas valve and the charged £60 for the gas valve and £60 for fitting which was a bargain.

Also on a separate note I had been looking to fit a gas line to the kitchen for our gas cooker, (currently using electric) and he fitted a gas line to the gas cooker for £60, whereas others wanted more than £150. This man is a genius!

So looks like a silver lining to every cloud.

caveat_emptor

Thanks for the feedback. You found a diamond geezer!