Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: tunnie on 14 January 2013, 12:18:00

Title: Boiler woes again
Post by: tunnie on 14 January 2013, 12:18:00
So getting issues again, good news is from last time it that it does hold pressure. Since last issue, few months ago now? I opened the water tap to raise pressure to around 1.1 BAR. Its stayed constant at this level, hardy dropping at-all.

But as its got colder & colder, its becoming harder to start. In some cases I switch the heating on to half heat, you here it start to pressure up & see the spark trying to ignite the gas. It does this for around 10 seconds or so then stops, failing to light. Switch it back off, try again 15 seconds later or so and it does actually spark up and its lit up.

This morning however, its refusing to start, its even triggering the lock mode thing. Which I have to reset if I want to try again, manual says with lights I have its the same error:  Lack of burner ignition.

I should really go on a course, as I'm too scared to touch anything relating to the boiler.  :(  :-[
Title: Re: Boiler woes again
Post by: aaronjb on 14 January 2013, 12:33:17
Low(er) gas pressure due to everyone in the area/building having their heating on causing a borderline burner to be too weedy to start, maybe?

Since it's trying to start I'd think that only really leaves the burner & gas valve as potential culprits..
Title: Re: Boiler woes again
Post by: tunnie on 14 January 2013, 12:42:31
Low(er) gas pressure due to everyone in the area/building having their heating on causing a borderline burner to be too weedy to start, maybe?

Since it's trying to start I'd think that only really leaves the burner & gas valve as potential culprits..

Hmmm thats a good point, 1935 building. Around 55 flats, so quite possible. Cooker is gas that appeared to run ok for my bacon sarnie  :D

Think i've been trying to light it too often, safety lockout now won't reset like it normally does.
Title: Re: Boiler woes again
Post by: aaronjb on 14 January 2013, 12:44:58
A good gas man should be able to check the gas pressure (and pressure drop etc) with a manometer in two minutes, to rule that out..

Not entirely sure how you'd check the gas valve was opening, though, besides hearing it work if it's audible  :-\
Title: Re: Boiler woes again
Post by: Kevin Wood on 14 January 2013, 12:55:55
Gas pressure should be Ok as the building will be supplied at mains pressure and each flat has an individual reg. that drops down to appliance pressure at the meter, I would assume.

More likely to be that:

The jet supplying the pilot light has become partially blocked.
The gas valve supplying the pilot is sticking, or an electrical issue or interlock means it's not being activated.
The electrodes between which the spark jumps are knackered, too far apart or not aligned with the pilot burner.
The wire to the spark electrodes is arcing on something and causing a weak spark.
Condensation has made the spark insulator damp.

Given that you can see a spark of sorts, I'd say more likely to be the first 2 or 3. :-\

Kevin
Title: Re: Boiler woes again
Post by: tunnie on 14 January 2013, 13:12:40
Gas pressure should be Ok as the building will be supplied at mains pressure and each flat has an individual reg. that drops down to appliance pressure at the meter, I would assume.

More likely to be that:

The jet supplying the pilot light has become partially blocked.
The gas valve supplying the pilot is sticking, or an electrical issue or interlock means it's not being activated.
The electrodes between which the spark jumps are knackered, too far apart or not aligned with the pilot burner.
The wire to the spark electrodes is arcing on something and causing a weak spark.
Condensation has made the spark insulator damp.

Given that you can see a spark of sorts, I'd say more likely to be the first 2 or 3. :-\

Kevin

Given issues of it working sometimes, but not others (almost behaves like trying to start an old car) wonder if it is sticking.

Anything I can do, other than call someone out?  :'(
Title: Re: Boiler woes again
Post by: TheBoy on 14 January 2013, 13:25:24
I'd say eith no/insufficient gas, or its not sparking in right place. The safety measure in the boiler prevent further attempts, obviously.

Not sure if your boiler would have a pilot.

So I'd clean up the jets, and ensure the "spark plug" is correctly gapped, and correctly positioned.
Title: Re: Boiler woes again
Post by: tunnie on 14 January 2013, 13:26:53
I'd say eith no/insufficient gas, or its not sparking in right place. The safety measure in the boiler prevent further attempts, obviously.

Not sure if your boiler would have a pilot.

So I'd clean up the jets, and ensure the "spark plug" is correctly gapped, and correctly positioned.

Easier said than done, I don't know where to begin  :-[
Title: Re: Boiler woes again
Post by: Kevin Wood on 14 January 2013, 13:29:03
Google for a service manual to download. Service procedure will be explained in detail, and adjusting the electrodes will be part of it. :y
Title: Re: Boiler woes again
Post by: feeutfo on 14 January 2013, 13:42:09
Was about to say, when was it last serviced?


Good to hear its holding pressure though. :)
Title: Re: Boiler woes again
Post by: Elite Pete on 14 January 2013, 14:21:01
Give Tyrone a call ::)
Title: Re: Boiler woes again
Post by: Elite Pete on 14 January 2013, 14:21:29
Give Tyrone a call ::)
Title: Re: Boiler woes again
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 14 January 2013, 17:51:31
Sounds like you need to put the jump leads on it Tunnie!  :)
Title: Re: Boiler woes again
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 14 January 2013, 18:16:19
Another boiler thread that makes me wonder, am i asking for trouble by changing my 30yo inefficient boiler that just sits there and works  :-\ It doesnt get ignition problems, the pilot light burns 24/7 
Title: Re: Boiler woes again
Post by: Abiton on 14 January 2013, 18:39:40
Another boiler thread that makes me wonder, am i asking for trouble by changing my 30yo inefficient boiler that just sits there and works  :-\ It doesnt get ignition problems, the pilot light burns 24/7

Almost certainly. IIABDFI.
Title: Re: Boiler woes again
Post by: paul.77 on 14 January 2013, 21:05:42
what make and model is the boiler?
Title: Re: Boiler woes again
Post by: Steve B on 14 January 2013, 21:12:38
had this problem 2 weeks ago on a combi that has only been in our house for 4 years boiler man came out and cleaned out the combi boiler condensate trap. it was blocked with sludge.they are suppose to do it on every service but never do so it gets blocked.
Title: Re: Boiler woes again
Post by: tunnie on 14 January 2013, 21:29:24
Thanks all. To answer a few questions:

It's a Biasi M96 Combi
Not serviced in 2.5 years since I moved in
Got the service manual

The manual is good, however I'm just too nervous to touch it. Feeling a bit like when I started out on car DIY work, easy when you know how but it's taking those first steps.

Had to admit defeat and call British Gas  :(  :-[ got them coming tomorrow. Part of the deal is a yearly service, going by the above it's something these need.
Title: Re: Boiler woes again
Post by: Rods2 on 14 January 2013, 22:12:20
It might be a problem with your gas regulator, but BG should be able to check that or a frozen condensing overflow or it might need draining / cleaning.

BG should be able to sort it, like Vauxhall main dealers, they are well known for the quality of their engineers.  ::) ::) ::) ::)

What has just flown past the window. Is it a bird? Is it Superman? No, it's Tunnie fixing his gas boiler!  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D