3 Port Valve why?

[meno]

Hi,

Im new to this great resource and am hoping someone could help.

My CH and HW stopped working a few days ago, boiler (Baxi Solo3 PFL 40) just does nothing, the only light on is "boiler on" no clicks or anything.

My landlord sent a heating engineer around who just said it needs a 3 way port in the airing cupboard, I'm not convinced as he tested nothing and appeared to just be in a hurry to leave.

Could someone confirm this is possible as I feel my wife and kids are sitting here in the cold waiting for a part that won't fix it.

Oh and my wife said the boiler was clicking a lot the week before it stopped working, engineer said that's normal thou she'd not heard it before.

Thank you

 

[AWheating]

welcome to the forum. The 3 port valve could be the possible fault. its very hard to comment tho really over the internet. If it is the 3port valve then they can be brought and are kept in stock in all plumbing merchants, diy sheds and places like screwfix so there is really no need to wait for the part.

 

[meno]

Thank you for the reply, Ill call them and find out why the delay.

 

[cheekytequlia]

Hi, if your boiler light ON is illuminated, then this indicates that there is an external demand for heat at the boiler, it could need resetting if the lockout light is on as well. To reset, fully turn the black knob as far anti clockwise as it will go, then rotate it back to where it was. if the boiler does not fire, then it looks like there is a fault with the boiler, when the engineers returns, make sure he is gas safe registered before working on the boiler.

 

[diamondgas]

I can't think of any 3 port diverter that'll stop the boiler working on hot water meno. Heating yes but hot water no!

 

[LPC]

As diamondgas said, generally if a 3-port valve fails the hot water still works. Also in most situations if the 3-port valve has failed, the engineer can still get the heating and water working by locking the valve in the mid position until he can fit a new one.

I always carry them on the van and they are pretty quick to change. Generally never takes me more than an hour to drain, change, wire and get it up and running.

 

[diamondgas]

Also boiler 'on' indicates there's a call for things to work .... You haven't ran out of gas or knocked the meter control off by any chance?

 

[meno]

Thanks all, he just moved the lever on the 3 port a few times, I tried the black knob anticlockwise for 20 seconds as written on the door but nothing.

Gas cooker is fine so assume gas is too.

When I turn on HW I hear the port motor and again turning on CH :smug2:

The only light is "Boiler On", This illuminates as soon as the room stat is turned up.

They are a well known company that my landlord (housing association) recently switched to from another company that were BRILLIANT!

 

[meno]

Just to add, the pressure gauge in airing cupboard read 1/2 bar, he said that was fine but put a connector pipe on and topped it up with water, it now reads 2bar

That obviously didn't fix it but he did leave the connector pipe on, is that ok?

 

[Ermintrude]

Smells like pump issues.

 

[IDCHAPPY]

2 Bar is a bit heavy for a normal domestic system, not outrageously so though

 

[meno]

Smells like pump issues.

Does the pump run when on HW only, I thought it just ran with CH on as it could be heard.

Sorry, I know little

 

[Ermintrude]

Pump should run on all demands with a pressurised system. It's only on gravity hw it dosnt . They are generally 28mm

 

[spanner]

Sounds like pressure switch... brb...

 

[meno]

Pump should run on all demands with a pressurised system. It's only on gravity hw it dosnt . They are generally 28mm

Is there an easy way to tell if mine is gravity HW

Definitely could hear the pump stop about 5 minutes after turning CH off, even with HW still on

Thank you

 

[GasmanxxxR1]

Is there an easy way to tell if mine is gravity HW

Definitely could hear the pump stop about 5 minutes after turning CH off, even with HW still on

Thank you

If you have a three port valve then it isnt a gravity system, plus baxi solo 3 isnt a gravity boiler, did the engineer look inside the boiler and do any checks, if lights come on the front, fan runs, you get that clicking sound for ignition and then nothing happens then it would lead me down a very specific route

 

[meno]

If you have a three port valve then it isnt a gravity system, plus baxi solo 3 isnt a gravity boiler, did the engineer look inside the boiler and do any checks, if lights come on the front, fan runs, you get that clicking sound for ignition and then nothing happens then it would lead me down a very specific route

No he just opened the door at the bottom, the boiler is totally silent and the 'boiler on' light comes on when turning room stat up or HW on. Makes no noise when it illuminates.

The whole system is silent, I can hear motor noise from the 3 port when switching from HW to CH etc but that's all.

Have been told they are returning to fit the new 3 port tomorrow between 7am and midnight!

Thanks

 

[Ermintrude]

You've been had by the bottom door bandits.

 

[meno]

You've been had by the bottom door bandits.

Not me, it's the company the housing association use.
Just cost my family a cold weekend (so far) and wasted time.

 

[mountainman]

Have been told they are returning to fit the new 3 port tomorrow between 7am and midnight!

Really!

 

[meno]

Really!

I'm afraid so, will keep you updated

 

[diamondgas]

There doesn't sound like there's much you can do meno ... fault of what you've described lies in the realms only someone qualified can venture IMHO

 

[meno]

There doesn't sound like there's much you can do meno ... fault of what you've described lies in the realms only someone qualified can venture IMHO

Fingers crossed a "proper" engineer like you lot arrives tomorrow :smile5:

 

[meno]

Fingers crossed a "proper" engineer like you lot arrives tomorrow :smile5:

Still waiting :angry_smile:

Just 7 hours to go

 

[Ermintrude]

Gutted! Just be nice to him he's probably run ragged. Tea and kitkat might help him out