Problem with a new Combiboiler

Problem with a new Combiboiler

13:03 PM, 8th April 2013, About 11 years ago 2

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Problem with a new CombiboilerJust before the 1st annual check on a newly installed combi boiler my tenant reported a smell of gas when she showered.

At first we thought it was incomplete combustion and a leaky flue, which is exposed in the bathroom ceiling.  On opening up, the inlet duct was not fully on the gas valve seating. But the leak persisted.

After a lot of probing both combi, pipework and gas -stove we tracked another leak down to what appears to be the test nipple in the gas-valve, a negligible leak with the heating turned off. Very small leakage on heating only, but out with whoosh when the shower turned on [sensor blips almost continuous]. Failure certificate issued and boiler turned off and isolated.  Hob left for use – but the tenant didn’t touch it all weekend.  emergency electric radiators deployed – but she didn’t ask for the emergency electric rings.

So we booked a manufacturers inspection.  No reply at 7pm Friday, so rang at 9am Saturday, as advised, and got through after 40mins listening to the same message!

Engineer called about 8.30 to advise attendance after 10am.  Arrived about 10.15am.  Different sensor and no leak found.  Carried out latest mods to the fully exposed flue and left.  No clearance certificate issued.  The only 2 differences between today and Friday – East wind has dropped [flue exits near the bottom of a 4 storye east facing wall] and the unit was cold on start-up.

I have two others installed this year which I feel I must inspect next week.

The interesting thing as the leak would not be found during a normal certification check as the RGI checks for pressure drop with the machine off! perhaps a change is required. More thorough with gas fires, I feel.

Manufacturers name withheld for the usual reasons.

Chris Brown


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Comments

Joe Bloggs

10:48 AM, 11th April 2013, About 11 years ago

what a confusing post...cant see the point of it until the fault, if ant is found. and what is the relevance of 'gas fires'!

JohnCaversham

11:20 AM, 30th April 2013, About 11 years ago

Have you spent too long in the flat sniffing the leaking gas Chris!
No offence intended but i don't follow the post at all?

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