We have a Glowworm BBU56F (back boiler). Its well-maintained/serviced and since we’ve been in the property (15 years) only the Thermocouple was replaced in July of this year, otherwise has been running fine.
We’ve not had heating/hot water for a month now, and with 2 young kids/unwell missus I’m almost on my knees, after 6 engineer visits (including a full day power flush and a new pump), still no joy with getting it working again. Below I have outlined the problem first, thereafter some more history as to what’s been said/done/diagnoses to get us to present day etc.. Unfortunately unable to afford a replacement boiler due to covid situation so need a fix and desperately seeking some advice/help before xmas
Frustrating thing is fellow tradesman are say saying previous engineers are not advising/doing a proper job and I’m being passed around in recent weeks… Any thoughts would be great, I know people are busy… but I would be willing to have a chat to anyone wanting to advise if easier…
Current Problem
Some more history/background on engineer vists past month
To put the above in context, some notes below on engineers visits from when the problem first started a month ago to where we are currently present day (note a combination of plumbers and gas safe engineers):
We’ve not had heating/hot water for a month now, and with 2 young kids/unwell missus I’m almost on my knees, after 6 engineer visits (including a full day power flush and a new pump), still no joy with getting it working again. Below I have outlined the problem first, thereafter some more history as to what’s been said/done/diagnoses to get us to present day etc.. Unfortunately unable to afford a replacement boiler due to covid situation so need a fix and desperately seeking some advice/help before xmas
Frustrating thing is fellow tradesman are say saying previous engineers are not advising/doing a proper job and I’m being passed around in recent weeks… Any thoughts would be great, I know people are busy… but I would be willing to have a chat to anyone wanting to advise if easier…
Current Problem
- The HOT WATER will warms up to being lukewarm after being on constant for a few hours (far too long)
- The HEATING has different patterns:
- Won’t work at all, despite being on from the controls
- Or boiler will go on for 20-30mins continuous, the whole system/all radiators will heat up (very quickly since power flush), but then will switch off and go back on say in 5 minute intervals but for only 1 minute each time, and the radiators will cool down, so boiler is cutting out)
- A few times has fired up and a couple of radiators will only go lukewarm…
- A few times 1 radiator has been piping hot and a couple lukewarm and others cold
- I sense from a cold start there is a higher chance the whole system will heat up for a short burst (but not always the case)
Some more history/background on engineer vists past month
To put the above in context, some notes below on engineers visits from when the problem first started a month ago to where we are currently present day (note a combination of plumbers and gas safe engineers):
- First visit, gas engineer said air in the system was diagnosed and released – worked for half an hour after he went and then packed up
- Next day same engineer came and said you could have a leak, causing air to get into the system, he marked expansion tank and came back 3 days latter (having tied the ball so it doesn’t fill), and on his return said you lost a pint of water in 3 days - told me I need a plumber (I also marked the tank water level at this point)
- Plumber came in following week and said no leak your pump is knackered (from listening to it), need to change it! I didnt not a tank water level drop either!
- Following week gas engineer came and actually said pump is fine, and how can a plumber determine in one visit for an hour you don’t have a leak, you need to call the plumber back!
- Another plumber came back and fitted a new pump (as he thought also no leak) – pump did not resolve the issue, in fact from having a tiny bit of heating there was nothing at all, he said there could be a blockage and its backing up to the pump and to get a powerflush done (which is what we’ve done last week per above opening comments)