Central Heating Issues

w00519772

I have a Potterton Powermax HE Condensing Boiler with integrated hot water storage. The model is one of the following (the instruction manual I have covers all models listed): 85, 115, 150.

There are two problems:

1) The central heating is currently switched off. However, the radiators become piping hot when the hot water is switched on (once a day for half an hour).
2) The thermostat seems to have no effect i.e. I turn the temperature below 10 degrees (to the minimum available setting) and the radiators are piping hot with just the hot water switched on.
3) One of the radiators is faulty i.e. it does not come on at all.

Could these two issues be linked? I have only noticed this recently.

The boiler had a service last year.

Pincher

Have you tried Heat Team?

Just had an engineer's visit for a Potterton Promax FSB, today.
He diagnosed the controller fault very quickly, and had the replacement controller in his van! None of that go away and get a spare part non-sense, because they are the BAXI engineers, so they carry the parts.

If you want to save money, get a Baxi Protection Plan, and claim on it later.

Make sure you tell them it's a Powermax, I seem to remember it's extra hassle.

Scrounger

Could be a stuck motorised valve (try operating manually).

By GrandadBeer65 , Hampshire

" Purchased this after noticing that our radiators were getting hotwith just hot water set on the programmer.

Scrounger

matelodave

Have a look at page 34 fig 23 of the installation manual - it sounds like the diverter valve has stuck halfway allowing both hot water and central heating.


https://www.plumbase.co.uk/documents/product/3550353


You could try removing the motor unit and operating the valve manually a couple of times - use a spanner or pliers on the spindle to free it. If the motor or gears haven't been damaged then this might cure it. Sometimes valves can seize when the heating is not being used during the summer.

w00519772

The plumber visited earlier this week. I received a quote yesterday by email:

[FONT=&quot]Call-out & diagnosis - £25.00 (this was for the work done earlier this week - £5 discount because he turned up 4.5 hours late (at 19:00) without letting me know.
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Supply of diverter valve - £175.00[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Labour to fit - £90[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Total: £290 + VAT[/FONT]

I have done some research. According to this link the diverter valve part cost ranges from £93.01 to £145.51: https://www.google.co.uk/#q=potterton+pottermax+he+85+diverter+valve I have a Potterton Powermax HE (85, 115 or 150 litre according to the documentation).

I have two questions:

1) Why do the parts prices vary so much. Which part do I need?
2) Is this a reasonable quote? The plumber who visited said he was a subcontractor for the plumbing firm in question and said it would cost "around £200", however he did say that the plumbing firm would have to confirm this.

malc_b

w00519772 wrote: »

1) Why do the parts prices vary so much. Which part do I need?

If you have the boiler serial number then maker should be able to tell you the correct part number. As for price then that will vary even if you are looking at exactly the same part. Typically there is a list price and a discount. Tradesmen will be given discount but may charge you list price making themselves more profit. Online stores will usually give you most of the discount.

w00519772

When the plumber came out he predicted I would cost around £150-£200.

I spoke to another local plumber and he quoted £140-£150 including VAT. Therefore I am confused why he is quoting so much. The model of my boiler is: HE 85 CP.

JJ_Egan

w00519772 wrote: »

When the plumber came out he predicted I would cost around £150-£200.

I spoke to another local plumber and he quoted £140-£150 including VAT. Therefore I am confused why he is quoting so much. The model of my boiler is: HE 85 CP.

Can quote any price he wants to .
Plumber A may charge more per hour he may pay a higher price for the part .
Plumber B may have a lower hourly rate .But my guess is that B is quoting labour Only .

Pincher

It's not worth their bother for a self-employed person to turn up for a tenner, is it?

More than likely, he could have replaced the synchro motor for £20, and taken 30 minutes for the whole job.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/drayton-synchronous-motor/28670

An engineer who is on salary works differently.

They have supervisors that randomly check up on their work.
With an annual plan they have no need to milk you on the parts, because it's free. I had a zone valve failure earlier this year. The Heat Team guy turned up, replaced the synchro motor, gone in 30 minutes.

A self-employed guy could have milked me for a full Honeywell zone valve replacement, just like he did you.

w00519772

After further research I believe £300 + is a reasonable quote from a reputable plumber. My boiler is nearly thirteen years old. Do you think it is worth getting a new boiler rather than getting the work done? I asked the plumber and he said do the work, however I guess he would say that.

C_Mababejive

http://covictim.org/articles/details/important-safety-alert-potterton-powermax-he-range-of-gas-boilers