Oil Boiler fires up for few minutes when timer off

[ms1983]

Hi,

I have a Warmflow Oil Boiler.

I have noticed that is fires up for a few minutes at random times and then turns off again (when all CH and WH timers are off). I can also force it to do this (again when timers are off) by turning up the thermostat on the boiler itself.

Does this indicate a problem with the actuators? I suspect the Honeywell actuator for the WH. How can I troubleshoot? The valve does sound like it closes properly after WH turns off.

What else could it be? I can't see a frost protection thermostat on the boiler so have ruled that out.

 

[SimonG]

Two port valve giving permanent live to boiler.

 

[ms1983]

Would that be our Danfoss 2 port valve (for the CH) as opposed to the Honeywell valve (for the HW)?

I put a new Danfoss valve on a few months ago as an issue with the switch sticking and heating not turning off - but it was an obvious fault i.e. boiler was on, radiators were on (when timer was off)

This time the boiler only starts for a minute or so then turns itself off (when timer is off)

 

[Best]

Would that be our Danfoss 2 port valve (for the CH) as opposed to the Honeywell valve (for the HW)?

I put a new Danfoss valve on a few months ago as an issue with the switch sticking and heating not turning off - but it was an obvious fault i.e. boiler was on, radiators were on (when timer was off)

This time the boiler only starts for a minute or so then turns itself off (when timer is off)

Could be that the 2 port valves are closing the circuit okay, but micro switch is on, giving permanent power to boiler.
Danfoss valves very common to do that and the Honeywell valves seem to also be poor quality nowadays.

 

[ms1983]

Ok. The micro switch is inside the actuator? So try a new actuator?

Also both actuators connect to a Danfoss programmer which loses time. Could it be the culprit - a faulty clock?

I’d like to try and fix this myself so want to ensure I troubleshoot properly and buy the right parts.

Am I right in saying I’m not losing “a lot” of oil with this issue as it only fires up the boiler temporarily and the thermostat ensures it cuts off.

 

[Best]

You would need to have the wires checked to see which actuator is putting power to boiler.
You will not use much oil because the boiler will only burn oil to heat itself and boiler stat will cut off power to burner for long periods, if you haven’t radiators or cylinder heating while this happens

 

[SimonG]

Top man.
Want to fix it yourself.
What you doing on here then?

 

[ms1983]

Top man.
Want to fix it yourself.
What you doing on here then?

Is this not a forum for sharing advice / tips? Technically not by myself ie with the help of this forum - but as opposed to getting a plumber / electrician out unless completely necessary

 

[ms1983]

You would need to have the wires checked to see which actuator is putting power to boiler.
You will not use much oil because the boiler will only burn oil to heat itself and boiler stat will cut off power to burner for long periods, if you haven’t radiators or cylinder heating while this happens

So I need to get an electrician out instead of a plumber...

 

[Best]

So I need to get an electrician out instead of a plumber...

Well somebody that can check and work on the electrics. Most decent heating engineers will be good at electrics.
I am always wary of advising someone to diy electric work.

 

[SimonG]

Out of your depth though. Could end up costing more.

That's the end of my free advice.