Pilot light goes out after switching on heating

littlemoney

I have a 28 year old floor standing Potterton Kingfisher CF 60 boiler, old I know but up till now it has given me no problems so if it ain't broke don't fix it. I use the boiler all year to heat the water and at the weekend I switched on the central heating. All the radiators warmed up and then went cold. When I checked the boiler I found the pilot light had gone out. I relit the pilot light and the same happened twice more.

I know the system is old but is there any chance it is repairable. I have four pipes coming out the back of the boiler, I believe it is gravity fed hot water system and I know I can't have radiators with hot water don't know if this makes any difference to the problem. Sorry but I don't know anything about central heating and I am hoping other forum members may be able to give me some advice.

If I opt for or need a new boiler, will all the radiators and pipe work have to be replaced as well. Is there any way I can find more information about the my choices and options if the boiler is not repairable e.g. what sort of system should I have, best boiler makes etc. or do I have to blindly follow the advice of the plumber.

Sorry for all the questions but this is something I know nothing about and I am trying to learn so I can make informed choices. Thanks.

sebastianj

You will find that the thermocouple is faulty. it will cost about £15 to purchase and a little commonsense to replace. If you are not good in using tools then don't do it. Gas fitter may charge an arm and a leg.
sebastian

WestonDave

I'd agree with the above diagnosis - the thermocouple tells the boiler that the pilot light is lit so its safe to keep supplying gas to it - when it fails the boiler thinks its not lit so shuts off the gas supply for safety. A reputable engineer should charge little more than a call out especially if you describe the problem and give the make/model so they can bring the part.

tlh858

That boiler and others like it have very little to go wrong.

It is very likely that the fault can be fixed quickly and cheaply.
It is exceptionally unlikely that you need a new boiler.

The solution - find a local RGI to repair the fault.
Attempting to fix it yourself is not the answer.

littlemoney

Thanks sebastianj, WestonDave and tlh858.

I was seeing a very large bill and a long wait for heating. You have all given me hope. Yesterday I left a message with a person suggested by neighbour asking if he could phone me with a view to servicing my boiler but he has yet to call me back. I don't know if this means he is busy and doesn't want any more work or he is away as it is half term holiday.

Hope he phones me soon even to say he doesn't want the work as it is not very warm but at least I know I need to try and find someone else.

The trouble is you hear about all the cowboys out there and I am worried I will end up with a cowboy as I don't know anything about boilers and would be totally in the hands.

gibson123

I got excellent advice on these boards - basically use an engineer that stays close to your home. I got an engineer that lives 3 streets away, and instead of a replacement for my 20+ year old boiler, he did a thorough service and the boiler is back working perfectly well, just under £100 is what it costs.

booty40uk

Why do yo all seem to think its the thermocouple? Hot water fine. Heating, pilot goes. Hmmmm.

squeekswhenwalking

not necessarily thermocouple, pilot jet may need cleaning, does pilot flame constantly envelop thermocouple?

littlemoney

squeekswhenwalking wrote: »

not necessarily thermocouple, pilot jet may need cleaning, does pilot flame constantly envelop thermocouple?

Is it the thing that looks like a short piece of metal that the flame of pilot light engulfs. If it is that then I think the pilot light flame is more behind the metal thing than it used to be. I seem to remember that the flame used to engulf the thing that sticks up and it used to glow quite red but now it is not so red.

Sorry for my poor non technical description but I hope it is enough for someone more knowledgeable to reply

gas4you

littlemoney wrote: »

Yesterday I left a message with a person suggested by neighbour asking if he could phone me with a view to servicing my boiler but he has yet to call me back. I don't know if this means he is busy and doesn't want any more work or he is away as it is half term holiday.

Did you make it clear in your message that your boiler has broken down?

If I get left a standard message then it can take me 2-3 days to call back this time of year.

littlemoney

gas4you wrote: »

Did you make it clear in your message that your boiler has broken down?

If I get left a standard message then it can take me 2-3 days to call back this time of year.

No I didn't. I just asked if he could phone me with a view to doing a service. Should I phone again and explain the problem when I leave another message tomorrow morning.