GFCH - suddenly stopped working!

Dades

Just as we're about to enter a cold spell the central heating in the gaff has suddenly decided not to work...

It's controlled by a timer on the wall, with the recently serviced boiler in a shed outside. The display lights up to say the heating should be on... but no reaction from the boiler and no water is filling the radiators. Had been working fine for two years up till yesterday.

Anyone know if there's anything I can do to assess the situation, or should I just call Bord Gais/heating specialist?

THANKS for any help.

10-10-20

Is the boiler getting power? Fuse gone?

beldin

a) Is the gas still connected , can you check out a gas fire.
b) has the wall thermostat been turned down low.
c) has the temperature control on the boiler been turned off.
c) do any alarm lights show up on the boiler.

Dades

Thanks guys-

Boiler seems unresponsive, you can usually hear it power up when timed on. Didn't notice lights, but then don't know if there's supposed to be. Gas fire is working, was using it last night when rads wouldn't heat up.

Haven't opened the boiler door (shed too full) but I guess I will later. If there's a fuse somewhere I'll take a look at it. There's been no messing with settings, temp or otherwise. I have it on timer and it looks after itself usually.

CHEERS!

Hoagy

The Atheist wrote:

no water is filling the radiators.

Maybe the system pressure is too low. Check the pressure guage.

rockdrummer

I had somehthng similar - system full of air, their was no pressure. Turned on system and looked as if on but wouldnt fire and no water was being pumped. Got guy from Bord Gais out and he had it fixed in 5 mins, charged €80. A while before this happened I was bleeding one of the rads. Now I will know in future....

Dades

rockdrummer wrote:

I had somehthng similar - system full of air, their was no pressure. Turned on system and looked as if on but wouldnt fire and no water was being pumped. Got guy from Bord Gais out and he had it fixed in 5 mins, charged €80. A while before this happened I was bleeding one of the rads. Now I will know in future....

Hmmm, this sounds very familiar. I did tinker with the bleed key in one radiator last week. Only I thought bleeding the rads freed the system of air...

Don't really want to call Bord Gais - they only come on weekdays - that means taking a whole morning off to wait in. Besides they serviced the feckin' thing two months ago. :mad:

Will hope it mysteriously fixes itself for the weekend...

rockdrummer

Too much of a coincidence then. Had to bleed the air out of the system in the hotpress, then it started to work.... then he went around and bled all the radiators. Cud save urself €80

Dades

rockdrummer wrote:

Too much of a coincidence then. Had to bleed the air out of the system in the hotpress, then it started to work.... then he went around and bled all the radiators. Cud save urself €80

When you say the system in the hotpress, do you mean where your boiler is, or where your tank is...? I think I'll have to take a proper look at the system first, and won't messing with anything that isn't clearly labelled.
Cheers.

rockdrummer

I mean the hotpress upstairs where the tank is !!

delly

As a matter of interest whats the make of the boiler? Check to see what lights are on the boiler and lit as although it could be one of a million problems, if its a Potterton Suprima it sounds similar to when there PCB goes. Check if there is a reset button under the boiler door as well.

ambman

if you were bleeding rads your water pressure in the boiler has probably dropped and the boiler wont ignite. water should be in between 1.5 and 2 on your gauge or else wont start;)

Dades

Thanks all,
Okay so I'm gonna check out a few things. Don't know the boiler make - was installed in 1986 though so there could be trouble. Service guy (over 60 days warrently ago) said it was okay though.

I like the sound of a "reset" button, if not I'll just have to use the hammer.

311

Atheist ,if your stuck you can pm me about it .Might be able to help you
If your stuck and have a reset button ,give your pump a whack as it might be stuck.

Dades

Thanks Brian - will check it out, and bear the offer in mind.

*EDIT*

Found what must be a reset button underneath, gave it a good pushing - and she fired right up!
Maybe not the end of the story, but the chapter at least...

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