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Boiler trouble!

first78
first78 Posts: 1,050 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
I've been having trouble with our boiler for the past month now. It's an Ideal Mini combi boiler and we had it installed in 2006.

The problem is that when I go to turn it on it makes the noise like it's starting up but it doesn't actually ignite it just keeps making the start up noise over and over (a bit like when you start a car and it turns over but won't start).

I've got Homecare 400 with British Gas and have called them out twice in the last month and have got them coming for the third time today. They haven't done anything on their last visits other than remove the front cover of the boiler and it just seems to be a fluke that it eventually starts. The guy who came last time said he had no idea what the cause of the problem was and that it may be that we need a new boiler (which I don't want to do as we're moving house in the next 6 weeks!).

Can any boiler experts out there shed any light at all on the problem please?

Comments

  • Premier_2
    Premier_2 Posts: 15,141 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 4 January 2011 at 12:47PM
    The user guide can be found here
    http://www.bhl.co.uk/uploads/article1473/Ideal%20Mini%20HE%20C%20Combi%20Boilers%2024,28,32%20User%20Guide.pdf

    Page 2 shows an ignition lock out light (E). Does that not come on when the ignition has failed? The guide explains how to relight the boiler if it has.


    You can find the full installation manual here
    http://www.bhl.co.uk/uploads/article1473/Ideal%20Mini%20HE%20C%20Combi%20Boilers%2024,28,32%20Manual.pdf

    Page 51 has a number of LED fault indications tabelled. I'd have thought one of these would apply if the boiler fails to ignite.

    Following pages have a fault tree that may help.

    I suspect either the pcb is failing or more probably the electrode is failing or requires regapping.


    As for the engineer who has no idea and who's solution was to propose a new boiler, ensure you ask for a different engineer next time (unless he's prepared to supply & fit a new boiler as part of your cover)
    "Now to trolling as a concept. .... Personally, I've always found it a little sad that people choose to spend such a large proportion of their lives in this way but they do, and we have to deal with it." - MSE Forum Manager 6th July 2010
  • first78
    first78 Posts: 1,050 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Well I had 2 engineers come out this time and they found a fault with some electric board in the boiler so they'll have to come back with a new part tomorrow.

    They left me with a brand new little electric heater as I have no other source of heating in the house.

    Relieved that they have finally found out what is causing the boiler to fail.
  • magicuk
    magicuk Posts: 27 Forumite
    maybe get them to change the air preassure switch as well as ive had that a few times on that boiler!
  • hippey
    hippey Posts: 849 Forumite
    I had a similar problem on a Baxi, turned out to be the electrode, engineer cleaned it up and now works a treat!
    These are my thoughts and no one else's, so like any public forum advice - check it out before entering into contracts or spending your hard earned cash!

    I don't know everything, however I do try to point people in the right direction but at the end of the day you can only ever help yourself!
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