BG Homecare

LoopyLil_2

1st of all sorry if I am posting in the wrong forum bit.

Well, we have BG Homecare400. We have had faults with our combi boiler since last Tues. 1st engineer came out and decided that the electrodes needed replacing. Within half an hour of him leaving the boiler faulted again. Called BG and was given an appointment for an engineer last Fri between 1 - 6. After no engineer telephoned I called BG at 5.55 to see if he was on his way to be told, 'he is held up on a job and wont be coming out to you today' I was annoyed, not at the engineer being held up, but at the lack of communication. If I was called and told earlier that he wouldn't be able to make it then fair enough. Anyway he called on Sat morning and he decided it was a part that needed to be ordered and he would be back on Monday to fit it. He came on Monday and fit the part he had ordered. Monday night, a big thud was heard as my daughter filled the sink with hot water. At the time she didnt know where the thud had come from. Tuesday I switched the heating on, all was well. The house got warm and the thermostat turned the boiler off as it had reached the desired temp. About 20 mins later I ran the hot water, nothing. The boiler would not fire up. So I ring BG again, and they gave me an appointment for today 8 - 1.

(Tues night the boiler fired up after a few hours of not working, big bang heard again, sounded like someone had kicked the boiler.)

At 12.55 today I had heard nothing from the engineer so I rang BG to be told, 'he will get to you today, he is just running a little late, 30 mins late' Fine. 20 mins later I was called to say 'oh he can't get to you today, next appt is a week today' What the hell happened in 20 mins to do a complete turn around?? Again, I am annoyed that I have been let down at the last minute. I appreciate they are busy, really I do. But I am now left with a boiler that emits a massive thud that scares me and works as and when it feels like it. I can't smell gas and the pressure is fine.
They wouldn't give me any info as to what the thudding noise could be. So I am stuck, there's no smell of gas, pressure is fine, should I not use it? OR risk using it, sit there waiting for a bang and then think that the kitchen is going to explode?!

Sorry for ranting, I am just so bloody annoyed at the lack of communication. Is it worth me going through with the complaints procedure?

LoopyLil_2

Just had the boiler working for an hour, all of a sudden there was a noise which I heard mainly from outside where the flue is, it sounded like a shotgun boom. What can this noise be caused by? Does anyone know? needless to say I have turned the boiler off now and it will stay off.

ollski

make / model ??

LoopyLil_2

sorry, it is an ideal response

ollski

Ah right it's usually caused by ignition problems. Normally failing ignition unit, but just as likely to be blocked fins on the heat exchanger. Had one similar recently where the restrictor washer had fallen out of the fan air intake aswell giving the same symptoms as low mains gas pressure. I'm afraid there are so many things that can cause these hateful things to pack up it's pretty tricky to offer you very much advice. I think the weather and christmas parts supply may conspire against you but make clear to bg that you have a genuine urgent call ie no other form of heating and / or a vulnerable customer (young / old)

LoopyLil_2

thank you ollski, i did tell BG that we have no heating/hot water but its no use. They even told me I shouldnt use the boiler as it continuing to go BOOM!
They are adamant that we are not a high priority case so I will just have to wait til next Thursday. Lets see if they manage to keep that appointment.

Thanks for replying

gas4you

These can have the heat exchanger leak and the water gets onto electrodes and stops the boiler firing.

Although you are not getting much help from BG at the moment, be glad you are with them, as not many engineers, mtself included, will tougc them.

You could try calling BG and saying that unless they can come sooner you will get Ideal in and send the bill to BG.