Beware! - the gas control valve jammed on Potterton Kingfisher - valve sent with wrong controller option set

[PerryM]

I am a keen DIYer but I don't play with gas! (I am an electronic engineer).
I have an old (25yrs+) Potterton Kingfisher2 that soldiers on but just had it's first major fault - the gas control valve jammed. I ordered a replacement valve on-line and booked a Gas Safe Plumber to come and fix it. He immediately admitted that he hadn't worked on an old boiler like mine in years and "normally when the valve goes you scrap the boiler!". Anyways he admitted it should be straightforward to fit my replacement. To cut a long story short - he eventually got the valve fitted but upon testing, the pilot light solenoid wasn't working. He jumped to the obvious conclusion that the thermocouple had failed - went off to get a (universal) replacement but this didn't work either. I did some basic electronic fault finding (the plumber was stumped) and found that the valve assembly has two options for where you screw in the thermocouple. As delivered, the 'wrong' option was selected - you have to move a connector to change it. Problem solved and I now have my boiler back working.
I leave it to you folks to draw any conclusions - but at least it is a warning for anyone to check that any options are correctly configured BEFORE you fit!
FWIW

 

[Gasmk1]

a lot of gas vlaves do it depends on whether an interuptor is fitted. but i dont know what point you are trying to make. he made a mistake he also admitted he hadnt worked on an older boiler for a long time. have you never made a mistake

 

[centralheatking]

Mistakes me made loads in all areas of plumbing and heating ..hold my hands up....never a big bang but a few gushers on water stops
often now with so many types of bolier made by so many manufactures
and given the age of our new fitters...I am 61 and have not seen it all..
the new guys might be qualified but because you had a really old bolier
like half my working life ...maybe dont know the fix....but they will leave you safe ....thats their ultimate remit
centralheatking

 

[PerryM]

I made the mistake of not asking him his experience before I booked him - I was just grateful to get anybody in less than a couple of weeks! My usual plumber offered an appointment in 3 weeks!
Main reason to post was to warn of the valve options. It is very difficult to see them once the valve is fitted.

 

[Harvest Fields]

I made the mistake of not asking him his experience before I booked him - I was just grateful to get anybody in less than a couple of weeks! My usual plumber offered an appointment in 3 weeks!
Main reason to post was to warn of the valve options. It is very difficult to see them once the valve is fitted.

If I’m honest. You were lucky to get an engineer to fit a gas valve that you have sourced.
[automerge]1568306349[/automerge]
Also if the engineer was stumped at basics then I would find another. Not sure where this thread is going. Will keep an eye on it.

 

[Drewy]

A SIT valve? I thought they were obsolete long ago.