Boiler woes

[Marf]

Right, the pilot light on my boiler keeps going out.

Last December it keeled over and I replaced the thermocouple(didnt fix it), which then pointed to the gas valve, which was replaced and its been tickety boo ever since.

About a week ago I noticed the pilot light had gone out, lit it again without a problem, the next day it goes out again.

Each time I relight the PL it sparks into life just fine, but will then just randomly go out. Seems to be related to either when the timer trips the boiler on, or after using up the water in the tank.

I've been told it could be down to air in my system and I should bleed my radiators, has anyone had a similar problem?

[Dave^]

what's the make and model?

i'm guessing by the fact it has a pilot, it's about a gazillion years old...?

[Marf]

Dinosaurs are younger.

Its a Potterton Flamingo 40.

[Dave^]

chances are it's 'just' the thermocouple.... they can last anywhere between 5mins and 5yrs.....

best bet's to get someone in who knows what they're doing..... or better still, get the whole boiler replaced.....

[Marf]

Dave^ said:

chances are it's 'just' the thermocouple.... they can last anywhere between 5mins and 5yrs.....

If it were the thermocouple, surely the pilot light wouldn't be able to establish itself and then stay lit?

Dave^ said:

best bet's to get someone in who knows what they're doing.....

I'll probably have to

Dave^ said:

or better still, get the whole boiler replaced.....

Wish I could afford to do that

[dirkgently]

I would look for a blockage in the pilot assembly or low gas pressure, as it would appear that as the main burner is ignited the pilot is being starved of gas.

[Dave^]

t/c can be intermittant..... just before they fail completely.....

when the main burner ignites or extiguishes, it can cause the pilot flame to 'wonder' off the sweet spot of the t/c, causing it to drop out....

has it been serviced lately/at all?

may just need the pilot burner cleaning out etc....

[Marf]

Dave^ said:

has it been serviced lately/at all?

may just need the pilot burner cleaning out etc....

Not that I know of, I dont think the guy who fitted the new gas valve/thermocouple serviced it. Then again I dont even know whats involved in a service

[Dave^]

it depends who's doing the service to be honest...

British Gas MAY just stick a flue gas analyser into the flue and see if it's burning ok, if it is, they'll just do basic safety check and bill you a small fortune....

if it's not burning correctly, they'll strip it down, clean everything out, put it back together, do the safety checks, and bill you a large fortune....

you're better of with a independant company (IMO), there are even a few on here, so there may be one or two in your area....

[Marf]

I guess I'll bite the bullet and call someone out, an expense I didnt need this month!

[Toodle Pip]

Marf said:

I guess I'll bite the bullet and call someone out, an expense I didnt need this month!

I have a Worcester Bosch boiler and always use them for servicing and repairs. Fixed price, reliable service. I see Potterton do something similar. Give them a ring, you might be pleasantly surprised.

[Marf]

Toodle Pip said:

Marf said:

I guess I'll bite the bullet and call someone out, an expense I didnt need this month!

I have a Worcester Bosch boiler and always use them for servicing and repairs. Fixed price, reliable service. I see Potterton do something similar. Give them a ring, you might be pleasantly surprised.

Cool, thanks for that, I'll see what they say.

[Marf]

Spoke to Potterton, they won't deal with my boiler as its too old

[Marf]

OK all sorted, the thermocouple had failed, £40 for the callout and the part. Happy with that

[Dave^]

glad it was a cheap(er) fix for you

[Marf]

Yeah I'm relieved. The old thermocouple was a bit charred, he said the pilot was a bit fierce so that could have killed it, fitted a new one, turned down the pilot a bit, jobs a good'un.