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Our boilers not working as of yesterday and I know what part of the issue is but not the full picture so Just for my understanding and also so I can try and let my boiler plan people know what the most likely issue is can anyone tell me if there's a way to know if the pump in the boiler is working or not? Basically the hydraulic differential pressure switch isnt making the micro switch attached to it as the pin isn't driving out. This could be a faulty stuck valve or it's because there's no pressure to drive out the pin? I'm guessing the pump running is what creates the pressure and the valve is a fail safe incase the pump fails?Â
So it's the valve or the pump that's the issue. The boilers is quite old and I'm betting they don't make the pump anymore and it's going to be a bugger to replace so the more info I can give the plan people the better.Â
I was also wondering......and am like to be shot down for it ...if the hot water system requires the pump running or if it's just mains fed through the boiler and the pump only runs the heating. If this was the case then "purely theoretically" I could switch the boiler to just hot water only and short the micro switch thus giving us some hot water.... purely theoretically.Â
Who knows? Your description is not very good, pictures and make/model of boiler would be good. Is it a combi, or standard boiler? Â To check the pump, you can feel it, it very slightly vibrates, or, take off the screw in the middle of the front of it and see if the shaft is turning. Pumps are , generally, the same, so if it has failed, it shoud be pretty easy to get a new one.
boiler is a Baxi 105e combi
The pump is hot but can't feel it vibrating but never really could before when it was running ok
so I can try and let my boiler plan people know what the most likely issue is can anyone tell me if there's a way to know if the pump in the boiler is working or not? Basically the hydraulic differential pressure switch isnt making the micro switch attached to it as the pin isn't driving out.
I wouldn't go any further than "my boiler isn't working" when talking to the insurance provider ("boiler plan" or whatever). Anything that makes them think you've had the cover off to do your own investigation will lead them to wash their hands of you very quickly.
Checked the pump spindle and it's not turning so looks to be the issue?Â
Do you have DHW on tap though?
Do you have DHW on tap though?
What you are describing is most likely a failed DHW diaphragm, which usually means your CH is working but you have no hot water.
The good news is, it's a cheap and easy fix, as it is the most common job on these boilers. The DHW diaphragm is either perforated or the plastic plunger that operates with it has fell to bits. The standard repair kit consists of a diaphragm, stuffing box and o-ring, these are about 9 quid. You also need the additional plastic plunger and spring which are not supplied in the standard repair kit to do the job properly!
The flow tube that supplies water to the diaphragm could also be blocked and should be checked but it is less likely to be the cause of the problem. Also bear in mind boilers of this age and type can have other problems at the same time as the failed part which has caused it to stop working fully.
Unfortunately the repair diaphragms are not as good as original factory fit ones, which you can't buy! So it becomes a more frequent maintenance issue, with it needing to be replaced about every 2-3 years. That's just the way it is and it's highly unlikely your boiler is still on it's original diaphragm anyway!
What you are describing is most likely a failed DHW diaphragm. Which usually means your CH is working but you have no hot water.
The good news is, it's a cheap and easy fix, as it is the most common job on these boilers. The DHW diaphragm is either perforated or the plastic plunger that operates with it has fell to bits. The standard repair kit consists of a diaphragm, stuffing box and o-ring, these are about 9 quid. You also need the additional plastic plunger and spring which are not supplied in the standard repair kit to do the job properly!
The flow tube that supplies water to the diaphragm could also be blocked and should be checked but it is less likely to be the cause of the problem. Also bear in mind boilers of this age and type can have other problems at the same time as the failed part which has caused it to stop working fully.
Unfortunately the repair diaphragms are not as good as original factory fit ones, which you can't buy! So it becomes a more frequent maintenance issue, with it needing to be replaced about every 2-3 years. That's just the way it is and it's highly unlikely your boiler is still on it's original diaphragm anyway!