Boiler not firing up

DIYfan · Jul 7, 2019

Hi, I've got a problem with my boiler I was hoping someone might know what it could be (apologies for me explaining in very simple terms), we've been away for 10 days and have just returned and when I switched it on it's not firing up and there's no flame visible through the hole. It's a Glow worm 40ff, 18 yr old conventional boiler. It had the pcb replaced about 6 months ago and the engineer said it should have a few more years left.

When I tried to boot it up for hot water or heating it won't automatically click and kick in and light the flame, it makes one loud click which it always used to do then it used to do another click or double click and boot up igniting the flame but isn't doing that now. It sounds like it's trying and the fan is running.

I've switched it off and on at the wall a few times and turned the knob on the boiler itself off and on, high and low but no joy.
I'm going to call my regular boiler engineer out tomorrow unless there's anything that can be suggested here, thanks.

ruston · Jul 7, 2019

Obvious thing may be lack of gas , did you leave it on when you went away? Is it prepayment?

DIYfan · Jul 7, 2019

ruston said:
Obvious thing may be lack of gas , did you leave it on when you went away? Is it prepayment?

Thanks for the reply, gas supply hasn't been cut off, it's on DD and the cooker's working. I left it turned off but not off at the wall

ruston · Jul 7, 2019

All I can suggest is to let it strike a few times to see if the pilot light lights up . If not it is time for professional help

DIYfan · Jul 7, 2019

Thanks, that's all I can really do, I'm not tinkering with gas at all

ruston · Jul 7, 2019

Good.
It may take a few attempts , I suspect you have already tried though.

DIYfan · Jul 7, 2019

ruston said:
Good.
It may take a few attempts , I suspect you have already tried though.

Yes I've tried, I'll try again in the morning then call my engineer, I'm reading elsewhere this is maybe a failed thermocouple

ruston · Jul 7, 2019

Would usually light but not maintain the flame . The thermocouple needs heat to sustain the flame and keep gas valve open.

Toneyz · Jul 7, 2019

Sometimes when the system has not been used for a while valves stick closed this happens a lot with heating valves after the summer when the heating has not been used however you can hear it clicking to light up it could be something similar inside the boiler time to call a boiler engineer

DIYfan · Jul 7, 2019

anthonybragg said:
Sometimes when the system has not been used for a while valves stick closed this happens a lot with heating valves after the summer when the heating has not been used however you can hear it clicking to light up it could be something similar inside the boiler time to call a boiler engineer

That makes sense, thanks

Corbs · Jul 7, 2019

pump working / on ?

DIYfan · Jul 7, 2019

Corbs said:
pump working / on ?

How do I know if it's working or not?

Toneyz · Jul 7, 2019

Corbs said:
pump working / on ?

Does it not light then the boiler shuts off if that happens?

Corbs · Jul 7, 2019

anthonybragg said:
Does it not light then the boiler shuts off if that happens?

if the pump isnt running its a calling issue eg not calling for heat so prog or room stat if no hot water as well prog

but if the pump is running either overheat or internal boiler fault (somthings holding it off eg no pilot light on the older ones)

under the front cover any lights on op?

ruston · Jul 7, 2019

It is an old boiler , 15 years old.

Corbs · Jul 7, 2019

ruston said:
It is an old boiler , 15 years old.

still no pilot light elec ignition eg sparker

DIYfan · Jul 7, 2019

Corbs said:
if the pump isnt running its a calling issue eg not calling for heat so prog or room stat if no hot water as well prog

but if the pump is running either overheat or internal boiler fault (somthings holding it off eg no pilot light on the older ones)

under the front cover any lights on op?

The boiler itself doesn't have any lights to light up, it's controlled by a drayton lifestyle lp522 programmer which is all lit up as normal

DIYfan · Jul 7, 2019

ruston said:
It is an old boiler , 15 years old.

Yes it's 18yrs old

Corbs · Jul 7, 2019

so ultimate version

the front panel should pull off (no screws) there a red button right of the dial press this in if its out

ruston · Jul 7, 2019

DIYfan said:
Yes it's 18yrs old

Sorry my mistake

DIYfan · Jul 7, 2019

Corbs said:
so ultimate version

the front panel should pull off (no screws) there a red button right of the dial press this in if its out

This is a photo, should I switch it on and press the red button to the right of the dial?

[ElectriciansForums.net] Boiler not firing up

Corbs · Jul 7, 2019

you should be able to press the red button in if its overheated / faulted out if not check is your pump running

DIYfan · Jul 7, 2019

Corbs said:
you should be able to press the red button in if its overheated / faulted out if not check is your pump running

It's solid, won't push in

Corbs · Jul 7, 2019

DIYfan said:
It's solid, won't push in

so hasnt overheated good

no is the pump running? airing cupboard normally when you turn the prog on

DIYfan · Jul 7, 2019

The pump is in the airing cupboard next to the hot water cylinder, how do I know if the pump is running/working?

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