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[Sir Tigger KC]

It's my Mums! 

Its a conventional system with a 20 year old Potterton Profile boiler, which packed up and couple of weeks ago so Mum had the plumber out and he fitted a new PCB and all was good. 

However, now the central heating isn't coming on either with the timer or manually, but the boiler fires up fine for the hot water! 

Any thoughts lads?    TIA

UPDATE: I think it might be the 3 way valve sticking as it was in the mid position and I pressed the button underneath and the lever moved to H and the boiler fired up!  I'll give it a squirt of WD and will see how it goes!    Although thinking as I type, the boiler should still fire with the valve in the mid position? 

[joff]

3 way valve stuck closed/ hot water only

[Sir Tigger KC]

Thanks Joff, must type faster!    I've had a fiddle with that and it's come on. Ta! 

[Kevin Wood]

Those 3 way valves are pretty crude when they work at all, so worth keeping an eye on it in case it plays up again.

They often suffer the same issue as the Omega's central locking motors - knackered microswitches. Mine actually use the same type.

Oh, and the Potterton PCBs suffer due to poor construction and 85^oC capacitors mounted just under the gas burner! But, they are a very easy DIY fix with a soldering iron, so if it goes wrong again..

[4x4]

Depending what valve it is,you might be able to just get the motorised head,but usally they start weeping around the spindle,so might be worth replacing complete valve,and if doing your self get the correct number of wires.

[Terbs]

Yes..I got a motorised head and just replaced that on mine, had no trouble since

[Sir Tigger KC]

Oh, and the Potterton PCBs suffer due to poor construction and 85^oC capacitors mounted just under the gas burner! But, they are a very easy DIY fix with a soldering iron, so if it goes wrong again..

I replaced the PCB about 3 years ago so yes they don't last long, but the old one that I pulled out is still kicking about somewhere so I'll dig it out and have a looky see!  Thanks for the tip Kevin! 

I'll have a look at the 3 way, I've got a feeling that I took the motorised head off a few years ago and squirted it with WD.   

Changing the motorised head sounds good, as no need to drain down! 

[joff]

Looking at your location I'm thinking chalk build up in the valve. 

[The Sheriff]

Those three way valves don't seem to last long at all. Ours is a siemens, which I thought would be a reasonable make, but it usually starts playing up every three years or so.

[Kevin Wood]

Oh, and the Potterton PCBs suffer due to poor construction and 85^oC capacitors mounted just under the gas burner! But, they are a very easy DIY fix with a soldering iron, so if it goes wrong again..

I replaced the PCB about 3 years ago so yes they don't last long, but the old one that I pulled out is still kicking about somewhere so I'll dig it out and have a looky see!  Thanks for the tip Kevin! 

I'll have a look at the 3 way, I've got a feeling that I took the motorised head off a few years ago and squirted it with WD.   

Changing the motorised head sounds good, as no need to drain down! 

Happy to give you a hand refurbing it next time I'm down your way. I have a stock of the capacitors somewhere.

[TheBoy]

Did they let you keep the old PCB?  As you can refurb that easily enough - in the case of Potterton, its usually a combo of poor components and poor build quality.  Will save you the best part of £200 every time.

Mine, touch wood, has been reliable since I've remade most of the shit soldering.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Yes, I'm sure I have the PCB that I replaced a few years ago somewhere, when I got lucky and found a new one on ebay for £25! 

I hold you to that offer Kevin thanks, that's gotta be worth a pint or two of Palmer's best gutrot ale! 

[Kevin Wood]

I hold you to that offer Kevin thanks, that's gotta be worth a pint or two of Palmer's best gutrot ale! 

I'm starting to get used to it, actually. Reminds me of my home brew.

[Sir Tigger KC]

I hold you to that offer Kevin thanks, that's gotta be worth a pint or two of Palmer's best gutrot ale! 

I'm starting to get used to it, actually. Reminds me of my home brew.

I expect your home brew is far superior!    Have you tried 'Tally Ho' yet?   

[Kevin Wood]

I hold you to that offer Kevin thanks, that's gotta be worth a pint or two of Palmer's best gutrot ale! 

I'm starting to get used to it, actually. Reminds me of my home brew.

I expect your home brew is far superior!    Have you tried 'Tally Ho' yet?   

Probably. Memories are a bit vague.

I did happen across this place a few months back http://www.bottle-inn.net/  ..aaand they were having a beer festival! God knows how many beers they had on, but I decided it would be rude not to try some of them.  Was a bit wobbly when mrs. KW decided it was time for her to take me home.