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JACUSTOMER-x2xjn1f2-'s Avatar
  • Answered by:JACUSTOMER-x2xjn1f2-
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Already Tried:
(Suprima 80L)changed fuse on control panel,checked water pressure ok,checked gas ok,pump running,fan running,tubes to air pressure ok,air pressure switch seams ok,neon light flashing red 4-5 per sec after initial attempt to light up,no spark.I would be very grateful for any advice,tks Aidan

Submitted: 298 days and 2 hours ago.
Category: UK Plumbing
Value: 21 €
Status: CLOSED
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Expert:  JACUSTOMER-x2xjn1f2- replied 298 days and 2 hours ago.

Is there an air switch tube on top of the unit? It would be a plastic tube.

Customer replied 298 days and 2 hours ago.

WHY? the red tube terminates inside the boiler and white goes to fan,the boiler is only 4 years old,you seem to think its not the pcb!

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Expert:  JACUSTOMER-x2xjn1f2- replied 298 days and 1 hours ago.

I couldn't remember if that was the model that has a air tube that activates a switch. If so all you have to do is clean that tube out. Pcb is a possibility. I'll look up that model and get back to you in a few.

Customer replied 298 days and 1 hours ago.

tks

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Expert:  JACUSTOMER-x2xjn1f2- replied 298 days ago.

i think that whatever the problem is that it is minor. try removing the tubes to the fan and air switch and clean them. let me know if that does it and if not we will move on to the next thing. i don't think it is the board. almost certain. you usually don't have an error code when the board is bad. if cleaning the tubes doesn't work, count the blinks for the error code it is giving you and i will have the error code list ready for your next reply.

Customer replied 298 days ago.

Already cleaned tubes,blinks are 4-5per sec roughly

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Expert:  JACUSTOMER-x2xjn1f2- replied 298 days ago.

reading the reviews on this model. there is a lot of information about the older models having pcb board issues. (you clearly knew that already) have you inspected the board and how old is the heater? remove the top screw of the control panel and it will flip down. inspect the board for scorch marks or bulging capacitors. the capacitors are the black battery looking things on the board. if the end of them isn't flat then if you can solder you can replace the capacitor.

Customer replied 298 days ago.

Not at boiler now will do same in the morning and let u know,many thanks Aidan

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Expert:  JACUSTOMER-x2xjn1f2- replied 298 days ago.

good i've been stressing a bit i couldn't find the four blink fault yet but i will. when is morning for you? it is 415pm here. how old is the heater approx? i have been reading some information about the older models not having good control boards. they improved them later with a siemens brand board so if you have that board then that is a good one. there is also a problem with an ignition lead which would be an easy fix for you. does it try to fire up three times before fault? also inspect the ignition lead. if it is the type in the picture i attached then likely that is the problem.JACUSTOMER-x2xjn1f2-41080.8458190972

Customer replied 297 days and 23 hours ago.

Its 9.15pm here in Dublin Ireland, where are you based?boiler is only 3-4years old,no it doesnt spark up at all,maybe i should change the lead.at what time are you online tomorrow if i need you?tks again.Aidan

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Expert:  JACUSTOMER-x2xjn1f2- replied 297 days and 23 hours ago.

i am in north carolina (usa) i will be up in about 12 hrs. is it Thursday there? Wednesday here. i feel good that the problem isn't the board. when you reset it does it try to go through the ignition cycle three times? the ignition lead is the red wire and the carbon breaks away on it leaving the glass fibre core with carbon particles. current is sent through the lead to create the spark, enabling the current to jump the gap in a broken carbon conductor which lights the burner. once the burner is lit the cable has a second purpose to tell the circuit board there is flame and add gas. if the flame is not detected in three tries then it locks out. replacing with the newer style lead will remedy. i am posting this as my answer and you can choose to accept whenever you wish. you can post on here even after you accept. happy night, i'll be here whenever needed. thanks, mike. (if it isn't the answer i will hang in there until we find it. i do appreciate your patience during some troubleshooting, thank you for that. many get frustrated that the answer isn't immediate.)

Customer replied 297 days and 23 hours ago.

No still Wednesday,it does only go through the ignition process once,with no spark,after all patience is a virtue and i thank you for yours,i think we might have got to the end of it,i think replacing the lead is the option,ill let you know either way how i get on,do they use potterton boilers in the U.S.? many tks Aidan

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Expert:  JACUSTOMER-x2xjn1f2- replied 297 days and 23 hours ago.

we don't really have boiler systems like yous. just older houses. the newer ones have separate heating and cooling systems and the water heaters only heat water for use. it all makes sense to me though. i really like rinnai. i have worked on and installed a lot of those. they look nice too! being from canada i know a lot of irish. not so much here. just americans. some of them are ok they just like shitty beer and can't hang! i do most of my beer drinking with women around here since the men don't seem to know how to handle it like i expect. used to my canadian boys i guess!

Customer replied 297 days and 22 hours ago.

Worked in Toronto myself in the late 80`s loved it,used to go to the irish centre alot just of Dundas and Blour,Guinness used to be excellent there.Yeah none of the yanks know how to drink and there so called beer is like piss!!

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Expert:  JACUSTOMER-x2xjn1f2- replied 297 days and 22 hours ago.

And they don't clean their taps! It is getting much better though. Lots of beer choices here now.

Customer replied 297 days and 22 hours ago.

All the breweries send out guys to clean the lines here once a week,guinness in my local is like mothers milk!ever try it are you a lager drinker?i like the company you keep,wish it was like that here!

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Expert:  JACUSTOMER-x2xjn1f2- replied 297 days and 22 hours ago.

Well you know what I'm used to. Canadian women can hang for sure! It's kind of bitter sweet all my good friends here are women.....my wife hates it! I know guinness well. It is always something I have as a treat. I like lager, pilsner. Not so much ipa too hoppy. Starting to grow on me though. My besty loves em. When we go for beers somewhere new I get her to order for me. Her palette is superb!

Customer replied 297 days and 21 hours ago.

12.15 am GMT bed calling,ill let you know how i get on,going to change lead.TTFN Aidan ps a very understanding wife.

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Expert:  JACUSTOMER-x2xjn1f2- replied 297 days and 20 hours ago.

Yes and yes

Customer replied 297 days and 1 hours ago.

I changed the electrode lead,and still have no ignition,is changing the pcb the final answer,Aidan

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Expert:  JACUSTOMER-x2xjn1f2- replied 297 days ago.

Inspect the board first. I was sure it was the lead. See what the name is XXXXX XXXXX board. From what I saw the siemens brand board didn't have trouble. If it is the board it may be repairable. Look for burn marks or bulging capacitors.

Customer replied 297 days ago.

I checked the board its a siemens,no evidence of burning or bulging

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Expert:  JACUSTOMER-x2xjn1f2- replied 297 days ago.

I'm still not convinced it's the board. I wasn't prepared for this. I'm driving home right now I'll get back to you in a bit.

Customer replied 297 days ago.

Cheers Mike

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Expert:  JACUSTOMER-x2xjn1f2- replied 296 days and 23 hours ago.

Any of the complaints about the board bring bad seem to be before 2007. You have a multimeter, right? There may be a bad solder joint on the board. If you remove the board and poke around in it to see if there is connectivity between solder joints. I see more comments on the newer models with the same symptoms being a casting sensor and overstat. Check the connectivity on the casting sensor and changing the overstat is recommended for that repair. I'll keep sorting between bullshit and valuable info on the interweb. I know I'm supposed to know it all but know it all people are the ones you screw everything up!

Customer replied 296 days and 23 hours ago.

I thinking of changing the board €240 + vat,because this customer is a very important client of mine,do u think this is the right choice?i appreciate what your saying about checking the solder joints but i cant really go there again tomorrow without solving this issue,should i change the overheat thermostat and thermistor as good practice,is it possible that the air pressure switch is giving trouble?it seams to click when asked to and when you blow through it.The position of the boiler isnt helping it is under a kitchen counter and fitted side ways,f**king architects for u!You have been very patient with me and i appreciate it.

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Expert:  JACUSTOMER-x2xjn1f2- replied 296 days and 22 hours ago.

Man back at you about the patience! I didn't know it was someone else's. There is a kit that I found but I'm still looking at. I will fill you in about the facts about it within the hour. I must say everything I've found about the board seems like older models. I'm not positive but it sounds like the semens board is an improvement from what they offered in the past. On the other hand most problems with an overheating board were when the heater was in an enclosed location. The kit is £ 140. The cable you replaced, did it look like the picture or was it yellow?

Customer replied 296 days and 22 hours ago.

It was white with a black sleeve,and yes i agree the older boards where problematic,the problem with spare parts in ireland they are almost double what they are in the UK

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Expert:  JACUSTOMER-x2xjn1f2- replied 296 days and 21 hours ago.

Honestly if it were my customer I would ask them to consider replacing it. If the parts are expensive and there is a good chance the problem may occur that may be the best option in the long run. If they decide that is not cost effective than they will have to allow time for the repair to be cost effective since the troubleshooting is a little difficult. The board looks good which tells me it could be repaired by touching up the solder joints and possibly replacing the capacitors. If you can solder I would try that since everything I've seen says that brand board was the upgrade from the previous. The kit replaces the ignition system and is almost a guarantee of repair. It can be repaired but what is the cost to your customer compared to the cost of replacement and also considering history of failure and product history? Calling the manufacturer wouldn't be a bad plan either. They have a long history of failure and customer satisfaction may hinge on free replacement of parts.

Customer replied 296 days and 21 hours ago.

In my expiernce with dealing with Potterton they dont replace outside of warranty, however i might give them a quick call in the morning,the customer has agreed with me in replacing the board and if that doesnt work she wants the boiler replaced,i think you might be right about excessive heat build up where the boiler is positioned,whats your feeling on the air pressure switch as previous post?again Mike thanks for all your assistance with this matter much appreciated.Aidan

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Expert:  JACUSTOMER-x2xjn1f2- replied 296 days and 21 hours ago.

The air pressure switch is a simple device. Unless the switch itself is bad it is activated by air pressure. If you remove the switch and inspect it then it would be obvious replacement is needed. There would be wear marks on it from misfire. There is a problem with relay from ignition to continued ignition in the system. If there is clicking and failed ignition then I would still think the problem is failed communication in the ignition system. Could be a failure at the pcb board. Maybe simply a solder joint or capacitor failure. There are a lot of caps on the board and there is a history for capacitors that is interesting. Short story they were manufactured in china and a guy stole the technology and began manufacturing in taiwan. Ever since then capacitors have been inferior to the chinese original.

Customer replied 296 days and 21 hours ago.

Not going to try and solder,i think ill just take a chance on replacement pcb,ill keep u updated regards Aidan

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Expert:  JACUSTOMER-x2xjn1f2- replied 296 days and 20 hours ago.

Ok I look forward to it. I wish I had a definitive answer for this one. They really have a shitty boiler.

Customer replied 293 days and 21 hours ago.

Im gratefull for all your advice,but how does it cost €25 thats what was taken out of my account this week,if you dont know can you give there e-mail address,tks Aidan

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Expert:  JACUSTOMER-x2xjn1f2- replied 293 days and 21 hours ago.

They take it as a deposit. If you don't accept the answer I give you then you are refunded. Find customer service on the website. If you want a refund they'll give it no problem. did you change the board?JACUSTOMER-x2xjn1f2-41085.143131169

 
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