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[Debs.]

The frost's split the boiler casings & the pump

  Oh, dear-Lord!

[CaptainZok]

What is this central heating thing of which you all speak?

[Raymienets]

Is this the vent pipe freezing issue?

Apparently gas board have had hundreds of call outs regarding condensing boilers freezing, Had to get plastic pipe cut to stop the leak as it was frozen and was just returning back into system.

[ianu]

Is this the vent pipe freezing issue?

Apparently gas board have had hundreds of call outs regarding condensing boilers freezing, Had to get plastic pipe cut to stop the leak as it was frozen and was just returning back into system.

.. so going back to the Op - is this a common or real rpoblem to be aware of with these types of boiler ? What's the solution - is there a specific fitting spec that avoids the problem ? :question

[Shackeng]

Actually, I've just noticed that my boiler keeps losing pressure and appears to have developed a slight leak from the pump area. Could be the relief valve, which sits atop the pump, but I'm not sufficiently competent to get involved, so I guess a call to Vokera is in order (followed by a huge bill.  )

If your leak is from a valve connection, it may just require a   fitting tightening, but if the leak is via the relief valve outlet. it is almost certainly a piece of debris lodged under the valve seat. Operate the safety valve several times (it should have a lever to allow this) and this should flush the debris out. This is a very common fault. HTH

 

[Nickbat]

Actually, I've just noticed that my boiler keeps losing pressure and appears to have developed a slight leak from the pump area. Could be the relief valve, which sits atop the pump, but I'm not sufficiently competent to get involved, so I guess a call to Vokera is in order (followed by a huge bill.  )

If your leak is from a valve connection, it may just require a   fitting tightening, but if the leak is via the relief valve outlet. it is almost certainly a piece of debris lodged under the valve seat. Operate the safety valve several times (it should have a lever to allow this) and this should flush the debris out. This is a very common fault. HTH

 

Oooh, thanks! I'll try that tomorrow! 

[TheBoy]

Is this the vent pipe freezing issue?

Apparently gas board have had hundreds of call outs regarding condensing boilers freezing, Had to get plastic pipe cut to stop the leak as it was frozen and was just returning back into system.

.. so going back to the Op - is this a common or real rpoblem to be aware of with these types of boiler ? What's the solution - is there a specific fitting spec that avoids the problem ? :question

There is no specific issue with these, if fitted correctly, as per manufacturer's recommendations.

The issue is the (vast majority - I'm sure there must be a good one somewhere, though I've never seen one) fitters are wholly incompitent. That CORGI Gas Safe certificate doesn't mean that the fitter has any ability to fit a boiler, just that they can spell their name, and have paid the trade body an annual fee to spread lies and myths.


And there is only one reason CORGI changed to Gas Safe. CORGI fitters had such a bad reputation (utterly deserved).  But a name change does not change anything.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Its not just the manufacturers instructions, the regs state what has to be done to!

I to do my own, as the rules state you must prove 'compitence' and nothing more when working on a not for profit basis.

A recorded test of the system ticks that box and that certainly isnt rocket science.

[Nickbat]

Actually, I've just noticed that my boiler keeps losing pressure and appears to have developed a slight leak from the pump area. Could be the relief valve, which sits atop the pump, but I'm not sufficiently competent to get involved, so I guess a call to Vokera is in order (followed by a huge bill.  )

If your leak is from a valve connection, it may just require a   fitting tightening, but if the leak is via the relief valve outlet. it is almost certainly a piece of debris lodged under the valve seat. Operate the safety valve several times (it should have a lever to allow this) and this should flush the debris out. This is a very common fault. HTH

 

Oooh, thanks! I'll try that tomorrow! 

Well, I discovered the source of the leak. You can see the meniscus at the top of the pressure relief valve. Unfortunately, there is no lever to operate the valve and I am loathe to undo the "lid" (with the serrated edge) without further advice.  :-?

[Shackeng]

That is not a pressure relief valve, it is an automatic air vent. If leaking it is easy to change, just means a seal has gone in the vent.  Any plumbers merchant will have them.

[Kevin Wood]

That is not a pressure relief valve, it is an automatic air vent. If leaking it is easy to change, just means a seal has gone in the vent.  Any plumbers merchant will have them.

Agreed. What you have inside that cylinder is a little float valve that opens the vent when the cylinder fills with air and, in theory, closes it when it starts filling with water. The float valve is just weeping a little in your case.

You can't just take the lid off or you'll have a gusher.

IIRC, you can normally rotate the whole body to isolate it for servicing without draining down the system.

Kevin

[Shackeng]

On mine you can just remove and refit the AAV without loss of water.

[Kevin Wood]

On mine you can just remove and refit the AAV without loss of water.

How does that work, then?

I should mention I've only come across the stand-alone ones that sit on the top of a 15mm pipe, and that was in my previous dwelling so memory might be a little vague. I'm sure on the one I had you could turn the cylinder about 1/4 of a turn in its' base to isolate it from the system.

In any case, not a difficult or expensive fix.

Kevin

[albitz]

When the govt made condenser boilers the mandatory replacement for any other type of boiler, John Prescott promised that they would hugely reduce the cost of our fuel bills. Were still waiting John.

[Shackeng]

On mine you can just remove and refit the AAV without loss of water.

How does that work, then?

I should mention I've only come across the stand-alone ones that sit on the top of a 15mm pipe, and that was in my previous dwelling so memory might be a little vague. I'm sure on the one I had you could turn the cylinder about 1/4 of a turn in its' base to isolate it from the system.

In any case, not a difficult or expensive fix.

Kevin

Mine is similar Kevin, but even with a pressure leak from an AAV, it should still be possible to replace with very limited water loss due to the very small bore of the exit hole.