British Gas install unreliable components

birkee

The single valves on the old boiler, were under the floorboards leading to the airing cupboard. Mounted horizontally.

The new valve is a 2 port mid-position valve, with a spring return of the ball to close off the heating circuit when unpowered. The spring is failing to close off the heating outlet because the valve is sticking in the open position.

The system was cleaned out and protected on installation, and has been drained down again during each repair.

The same fault has been diagnosed on each failure.
How much more diagnosis can you get from this information?

Are you suggesting that I let BG just keep repairing the system at my expense, and replacing like with like each time?
If a tyre on you car keeps going down, do you just keep putting air in it at £150 a time?
Of course not ..... you get rid of the cause. BG can't seem to see any problem though, and they are quite happy to keep replacing the valve. It's all money in their pocket.
Of course, if I'm prepared to pay them £15(?) per month for maintenance, they will be even happier, but I've avoided any business with BG since they installed this boiler.

Sorry ollski, but my words you quoted in blue text, remain true. BG want to do a diagnosis first before changing the valve again,but that takes me no further forward. The cause needs resolution, NOT the symptom.
If you get chickenpox, do you cover up the spots with make-up,.... or cure the chickenpox?

grizzly1911

Why not ask a local independent guy (from recommendation if possible) to come and take a look?

BG engineers work to targets and will be looking to resolve and be out. No doubt some will take the easy option just to replace rather than look at the bigger picture.

Perhaps one of the professionals would comment on whether BG undertake any problem management activity. If I was getting repeated call outs for the same thing I would want to know why - certainly did in IT.

If the independent guy is willing guy turns up something else you could always; look to redress from BG for added expense.

You are certainly unlucky if the valve has been replaced so often.

Daft question - but the valve is mounted the right way round isn't it/ wired correctly? Just a thought.

ollski

The single valves on the old boiler, were under the floorboards leading to the airing cupboard. Mounted horizontally.

Oh so when you say single valve do you mean 2 x 2 port valves ie an 's' plan system?, if so is the bypass closed?

The new valve is a 2 port mid-position valve, with a spring return of the ball to close off the heating circuit when unpowered. The spring is failing to close off the heating outlet because the valve is sticking in the open position.

Is that because it is being electrically held in mid position or mechanically?, if you turn off the power supply to the whole heating system or unclip the head does the motor then return on the spring to the hot water only position?

The system was cleaned out and protected on installation, and has been drained down again during each repair.

The same fault has been diagnosed on each failure.
How much more diagnosis can you get from this information?

Well it is the first mention of the system being cleaned!

Are you suggesting that I let BG just keep repairing the system at my expense, and replacing like with like each time?
If a tyre on you car keeps going down, do you just keep putting air in it at £150 a time?

No but I would check I was not unwittingly driving over a bed of nails before threatening the tyre manufacturer or garage.

Of course not ..... you get rid of the cause. BG can't seem to see any problem though, and they are quite happy to keep replacing the valve. It's all money in their pocket.
Of course, if I'm prepared to pay them £15(?) per month for maintenance, they will be even happier, but I've avoided any business with BG since they installed this boiler.

No but I am suggesting fault is proved before blame is apportioned

Sorry ollski, but my words you quoted in blue text, remain true. BG want to do a diagnosis first before changing the valve again,but that takes me no further forward. The cause needs resolution, NOT the symptom.
If you get chickenpox, do you cover up the spots with make-up,.... or cure the chickenpox?

birkee

ollski wrote: »

The single valves on the old boiler, were under the floorboards leading to the airing cupboard. Mounted horizontally.

Oh so when you say single valve do you mean 2 x 2 port valves ie an 's' plan system?, if so is the bypass closed?

The new valve is a 2 port mid-position valve, with a spring return of the ball to close off the heating circuit when unpowered. The spring is failing to close off the heating outlet because the valve is sticking in the open position.

Is that because it is being electrically held in mid position or mechanically?, if you turn off the power supply to the whole heating system or unclip the head does the motor then return on the spring to the hot water only position?

Valve is mechanically held in mid position. Power off doesn't change it.

The system was cleaned out and protected on installation, and has been drained down again during each repair.

The same fault has been diagnosed on each failure.
How much more diagnosis can you get from this information?

Well it is the first mention of the system being cleaned!

Would have thought this was self evident, as the boiler system was completely replaced.

Are you suggesting that I let BG just keep repairing the system at my expense, and replacing like with like each time?
If a tyre on you car keeps going down, do you just keep putting air in it at £150 a time?

No but I would check I was not unwittingly driving over a bed of nails before threatening the tyre manufacturer or garage.

If a new replacement tyres keeps going down, why would you blame the tyre manufacturers? It would clearly be the valve or the wheel itself. Or in this case, the quality of the valve, or the installation.

Of course not ..... you get rid of the cause. BG can't seem to see any problem though, and they are quite happy to keep replacing the valve. It's all money in their pocket.
Of course, if I'm prepared to pay them £15(?) per month for maintenance, they will be even happier, but I've avoided any business with BG since they installed this boiler.

No but I am suggesting fault is proved before blame is apportioned

??????. Valve or installation. One or the other. Valve doesn't seem likely does it? They would soon be driven off the market.
Leaves two options. The valve is not up to working in the current environment, or the current environment should not have been used for the valve installation.
Take your pick. BG's or BG's fault?
Both causing valve failure.

Sorry ollski, but my words you quoted in blue text, remain true. BG want to do a diagnosis first before changing the valve again,but that takes me no further forward. The cause needs resolution, NOT the symptom.
If you get chickenpox, do you cover up the spots with make-up,.... or cure the chickenpox?

Had to add something here to include quote.

ihateyes

grizzly1911 wrote: »

BG engineers work to targets

The engineers do work to targets....
One of them being a recall to the same house within 10days of last visit goes against their targets.

birkee

Then that begs the question, why did 4 calls in 14 days to repair the same fault, not trigger a reaction?

grizzly1911

birkee wrote: »

Then that begs the question, why did 4 calls in 14 days to repair the same fault, not trigger a reaction?

Probably did the engineer lost some or all of a bonus pot or got had a talking to.

Either way doesn't resolve your problem.

Still think you need to get someone independent to have a look at it. Bashing BG doesn't seem to be achieving much. Not saying let them off the hook though.

birkee

grizzly1911 wrote: »

Probably did the engineer lost some or all of a bonus pot or got had a talking to.

Either way doesn't resolve your problem.

Still think you need to get someone independent to have a look at it. Bashing BG doesn't seem to be achieving much. Not saying let them off the hook though.

To date, 4 independants have had a look, and ALL have quoted for replacing the valve with a Honeywell. Not ONE has any idea why the valve should keep failing.
One suggests the vent is in an odd place, but is not sure, and another thinks that air may be getting in the system, allowing the valve to dry out and causing sticking.
Personally, I think that if air was getting into the system, then the pump (just below valve) would be cavitating and making a noise.
Another is suggesting ripping out the BG installation, and fitting a new boiler.

So, six BG engineers and four independants so far of no help.
Think that's enough don't you?
New boiler installation coming up?

Thanks BG! :mad:

ihateyes

birkee wrote: »

To date, 4 independants have had a look,

Thanks BG! :mad:

!!!!!!...... still bashing BG after 4 independents dont know either.

bengasman

birkee wrote: »

To date, 4 independants have had a look, and ALL have quoted for replacing the valve with a Honeywell.

If an engineer tells you the valve needs replacing with another one, there really is no reason to get somebody else to look at the same thing.
Any particular reason why you think it is ok to waste people's time by getting them around whilst you have no intention of letting them earn some money by actually doing the job?
Very rude.