sound in radiators, pump constantly on?

ih8stress

Hi
I've been having problems for a while now. When I switch my c/h off, the pump used to stop after about ten minutes. Then it started to take 2-3 hours at times.

I've had the boiler serviced, and some trv's fitted in the meantime. The plumber thought it was something to do with the pump and is trying to get hold of Baxi to query it but I'm still waiting .....

For the last two nights there has been a constant whoosing sound in the radiators, even though the heating is off. Is this the pump constantly on?

The boiler is a Baxi Solo 3 PFL Range model, fitted in 2005.

I can post photos of the upstairs cylinder, controls etc if required. (I'm hopeless at technical details though).

ormus

switch the boiler off at the switch properly. ie (isolate it from the mains).
and see if the noise carries on.

gas4you

The pump is controlled by the boiler pcb and it is fairly common to get the fault you have and often the pcb needs replacing.

Doing as ormus suggests, for around 60 seconds may reset the board, but I doubt it.

ih8stress

Hi, sorry for the delay in replying. Had to post quickly as visitors arrived just as I was finishing it, then I've been doing some last minute shopping, tea etc.

The 'noise' actually stopped for the first time in 2 days at dinnertime, after I'd had the heating on for about 2 hours and switched it off. Hurrah.

Ormus: I switched the boiler off at the mains and yes, the noise did stop instantly (and the gushing sound in the radiators seemed to cease, though not had a chance to check this properly).

Thank you SO much. Can I just ask, if I get the constant noise again after the heating is off, will it be alright to switch the boiler off at the mains (as long as I've left it for about 20 mins for the pump to finish working)? And is it okay to keep it switched off at the mains if needs be?

I won't be using the timer at all, just switching the heating and water on and off manually.

Gas4you: Thank you for verifying ormus's suggestion. Can I ask you what the boiler pcb is, and how costly it would be to replace it.

Many thanks to both of you.

gas4you

pcb = printed circuit board, the heart and main control of the boiler. Professionally fitted would be around £250 ish

roger196

Does this boiler have a frost stat fitted? This keeps boiler going when room temperature falls so low that system freezes up.

thescouselander

gas4you wrote: »

pcb = printed circuit board, the heart and main control of the boiler. Professionally fitted would be around £250 ish

Or, if you are competent - significantly less when you source the parts off the t'interweb and do it yourself. I replaced the PCB on our Ideal boiler for £50 - I also managed to fix the old one which was handy.

ormus

as above.
pcb can vary from 50 - 250 quid.
150 quid being typical.

disconnecting all the connections on the pcb, and then reconnecting it.
that often works for various makes of pcb.

ih8stress

Well, after behaving itself since my last post the pump has decided to play up again (I knew it was too good to last).

I tried switching the power off for a minute but it only stopped whilst the power was off.

I don't fancy a sleepless night, so if the pump keeps running tonight, is it safe for me to switch the power off whilst I am in bed, and switch it back on when I get up? (The central heating timer will be off anyway).

Thanks.

hobbledehoy.

ih8stress wrote: »

Well, after behaving itself since my last post the pump has decided to play up again (I knew it was too good to last).

I tried switching the power off for a minute but it only stopped whilst the power was off.

I don't fancy a sleepless night, so if the pump keeps running tonight, is it safe for me to switch the power off whilst I am in bed, and switch it back on when I get up? (The central heating timer will be off anyway).

Thanks.

You will soon come to realise that the only way to stop it is to switch it off all of the time when not needed.
It will not improve with time.

You will have to change the PCB to resolve the matter either now or later.

This is a common fault as the PCB is the 'brains' behind the sytem.

My system looks like something that NASA designed and fitted!!

Having said that, the PCB in that went kerput after 6 years - replaced by contractor - £575!!! Guaranteed for 12 months.

If it goes again, the whole system (8 years old) is coming out and it will be replaced with something a little simpler to maintain!!

ih8stress

Thanks, hobbledehoy. I just wanted to check that it was safe to switch it off temporarily.

I realise that I will need to get this replaced but £150 - £250 quoted by ormus and gas4u is alot of money to me. Yours costing £575 is even more scary:eek:

No doubt if I don't get it done 'sooner rather than later' it will affect the boiler even more............ can someone confirm/deny if this is the case?

Thanks