potterton boiler

[HAWKE]

my boiler will not ignite , the pilot light wont come on. Ihave tried to light it with a match but does not work. Will this mean a new boiler or is it possible to repair and wil it be a big job.

[chas2008]

does the pilot light work while keeping the safety button pressed and as soon as its released goes out ?

[gasman]

No it will not mean a new boiler and will be easily repaired. It is probably just a matter of fitting a new thermocouple and is only a 10 min job.

[chas2008]

mine seems to last about 5 years, i buy the universal one from Wickes for about a fiver and fit it myself...

[HAWKE]

how do you fit the thermo couple,what does it look like

[HAWKE]

my boiler is a potterton nettaheat it does not have a thermocouple means of ignition, but a solenoid , any suggestions.

[gasman]

You correct Hawke there is no thermocouple on that boiler, The main problems with this boiler not igniting are either a poor electrode connection or electrode lead damage or degraded, The pilot assembly is fully blocked or partially blocked and needs cleaning or replacing. If there is 240 volts at the control board conection to the elctrode and it is sparking then the solenoid on the gas valve has failed and needs replacing. If there is not 240 volts then replace the electronic control. All the parts are easy to get hold off aswell.

[gucciman]

your not suggestng that he replaces the gas valve himself are you gasman? thus breaking into the main gas line thru the boiler with the inherent risks of leakage when he puts it back together.
he shouldn't even be removing the combustion chamber cover esp on a netaheat which has a positive pressure and is quite capable of filling his room with fumes if not sealed correctly.

[HAWKE]

I've noticed the properties around me are having to replace there boilers/systems, as they are 18 yrs old, the question is would we be advised to go over to a combi system which means we would have to have new pipework , carpets up in the upstairs or just replace my old boiler and be able to keep my power shower . There are only 2 of us in the house so dont use that much hot water.

[gucciman]

you say they are having to replace their systems as they're 18 yrs old but we regularly go to boilers/systems that are 30 to 40 years old and they are still running strong, is just a case of having them serviced once a year and having them repaired if they break down. most old appliances can be kept running as long as the spare parts are still available, when the parts are no longer available then yes it may be a good idea to consider a replacement. the only other consideration is having a more efficient boiler to reduce your gas bills.
any installer you ask for a quote is almost certainly going to suggest you go over to a combi and to rip out your cylinder and tanks, simply because they are quick and easy to install. the usual preference for the new boiler is the airing cupboard as all the necessary pipework is in place and would just need adapting to fit the new boiler.
you could have a traditional boiler still (condensing though) but to comply with the latest energy efficiency regulations you would have to have your cylinder upgraded to the latest energy efficient high heat recovery coil type, you have to have thermostatic radiator valves fitted if you dont have them and your pipework between the boiler and cylinder will need to be lagged, also your controls may need upgrading too, this all adds significantly to the cost and is why most people have a combi.
i dont know much about power showers but you can certainly have a thermostatic mixer shower run off the combi although we usually reccommend an electric shower as they are a great back up if the combi breaks down and you've no hot water.

[HAWKE]

hI again gucciman, Ican see the economics in combi over replacing with a boiler ,so it looks like the combi is the best option, regardingthe power shower ,the man says(see my reply to you on the other question) that I wouldstill get a good shower pressure as it would be running on mains pressure.The electicshower option sounds good but been as the bathroom is only 2 yrs old I would sooner leave the existing shower in.

[gasman]

Goodnes me gucciman !!! I certainly was not implying that HAWKE carried out the work himself i was just mearly offering advice as to what could be wrong and saying that it could and most probably would be easily fixed if a competent engineer was to have a look at it. I wouldnt even be contemplating a new boiler just yet 18yrs young is nothing, try to get it fixed first if all else fails then replace it.

[HAWKE]

I have a gas boiler engineer coming to the boiler on Wednesday with a view to fixing it.