Boiler not firing up for central heating

elainem10

I have a vokera boiler which has not really been used over the last couple of months. I tried to turn on the central heating today and it wouldn't come on. The boiler ignites ok if I turn the hot water on but won't work for the heating (if I turn both on, the boiler ignites and heats up the water but the radiators don't heat up).

Does anyone know what the problem could be? I don't want to call an engineer out if its something simple I'm not doing.

Thanks

sugarwalsh

We just had the smae trouble after the heating being off all summer. Try the water pressure and bleeding the radiators? Or just thump it....

Browntoa

could be the diverter valve stuck or the diaphragm damaged

http://www.diyfaq.org.uk/plumbing/combi.html

Absolutely

Check the pressure. The water level may need a top up. Mine needs to be just above 1.

If it wasn't at that level, the boiler wouldn't work.

Rikki

Do you have a room thermostat and if so is it set too low for the heating to come on?

elainem10

The water pressure was low but I topped it up this morning and it still won't come on. I've checked the radiators are all turned up and I've tried bleeding them. Might try the thumping it option next

Chunks

Think Browntoa in probably on the right track. If the rads haven't been on for a while the motorized value may be 'stuck' in the 'hot water on' position.

This is the type of thing to look out for - mine's near my hot water tank:

http://www.ephcontrols.com/res/downloads/B32_DDatasheet.pdf

Depending on the type of value you have, you might have a manual override (lever on the side of the unit). Moving the lever will manually change the valve position - thereby freeing it - hopefully. Try this first and post the result.

ormus

what model boiler is it?
older types have a motorised valve which often sticks.
see below:

new combi types have a diverter valve inside the boiler.

david39

We have a Vokera and it does this occasionally.

I've always solved it the same way I solve many electronic gadget problems, including routers and Sky boxes. Switch off at the mains, wait 60 seconds and then switch on again.

It may not solve your problem but worth a try and cheaper than a call-out. Ours needs this treatment about twice a year.

elainem10

Its a mynute 28 e. Is that one that would have a motorised valve or a built in one?

Chunks

Appears that you do have an external motorised valve. You cannot mistake them (see ormus' post) as I said, mine is near my hot water tank....