3 Port Valve why?

[meno]

Hi,

Im new to this great resource and am hoping someone could help.

My CH and HW stopped working a few days ago, boiler (Baxi Solo3 PFL 40) just does nothing, the only light on is "boiler on" no clicks or anything.

My landlord sent a heating engineer around who just said it needs a 3 way port in the airing cupboard, I'm not convinced as he tested nothing and appeared to just be in a hurry to leave.

Could someone confirm this is possible as I feel my wife and kids are sitting here in the cold waiting for a part that won't fix it.

Oh and my wife said the boiler was clicking a lot the week before it stopped working, engineer said that's normal thou she'd not heard it before.

Thank you

 

[AWheating]

welcome to the forum. The 3 port valve could be the possible fault. its very hard to comment tho really over the internet. If it is the 3port valve then they can be brought and are kept in stock in all plumbing merchants, diy sheds and places like screwfix so there is really no need to wait for the part.

 

[meno]

Thank you for the reply, Ill call them and find out why the delay.

 

[cheekytequlia]

Hi, if your boiler light ON is illuminated, then this indicates that there is an external demand for heat at the boiler, it could need resetting if the lockout light is on as well. To reset, fully turn the black knob as far anti clockwise as it will go, then rotate it back to where it was. if the boiler does not fire, then it looks like there is a fault with the boiler, when the engineers returns, make sure he is gas safe registered before working on the boiler.

 

[diamondgas]

I can't think of any 3 port diverter that'll stop the boiler working on hot water meno. Heating yes but hot water no!

 

[LPC]

As diamondgas said, generally if a 3-port valve fails the hot water still works. Also in most situations if the 3-port valve has failed, the engineer can still get the heating and water working by locking the valve in the mid position until he can fit a new one.

I always carry them on the van and they are pretty quick to change. Generally never takes me more than an hour to drain, change, wire and get it up and running.

 

[diamondgas]

Also boiler 'on' indicates there's a call for things to work .... You haven't ran out of gas or knocked the meter control off by any chance? 🙂

 

[meno]

Thanks all, he just moved the lever on the 3 port a few times, I tried the black knob anticlockwise for 20 seconds as written on the door but nothing.

Gas cooker is fine so assume gas is too.

When I turn on HW I hear the port motor and again turning on CH :smug2:

The only light is "Boiler On", This illuminates as soon as the room stat is turned up.

They are a well known company that my landlord (housing association) recently switched to from another company that were BRILLIANT!

 

[meno]

Just to add, the pressure gauge in airing cupboard read 1/2 bar, he said that was fine but put a connector pipe on and topped it up with water, it now reads 2bar

That obviously didn't fix it but he did leave the connector pipe on, is that ok?

 

[Ermintrude]

Smells like pump issues.

 

[IDCHAPPY]

2 Bar is a bit heavy for a normal domestic system, not outrageously so though 🙂

 

[meno]

Smells like pump issues.

Does the pump run when on HW only, I thought it just ran with CH on as it could be heard.

Sorry, I know little

 

[Ermintrude]

Pump should run on all demands with a pressurised system. It's only on gravity hw it dosnt . They are generally 28mm

 

[spanner]

Sounds like pressure switch... brb...

 

[meno]

Pump should run on all demands with a pressurised system. It's only on gravity hw it dosnt . They are generally 28mm

Is there an easy way to tell if mine is gravity HW

Definitely could hear the pump stop about 5 minutes after turning CH off, even with HW still on

Thank you

 

[GasmanxxxR1]

Is there an easy way to tell if mine is gravity HW

Definitely could hear the pump stop about 5 minutes after turning CH off, even with HW still on

Thank you

If you have a three port valve then it isnt a gravity system, plus baxi solo 3 isnt a gravity boiler, did the engineer look inside the boiler and do any checks, if lights come on the front, fan runs, you get that clicking sound for ignition and then nothing happens then it would lead me down a very specific route

 

[meno]

If you have a three port valve then it isnt a gravity system, plus baxi solo 3 isnt a gravity boiler, did the engineer look inside the boiler and do any checks, if lights come on the front, fan runs, you get that clicking sound for ignition and then nothing happens then it would lead me down a very specific route

No he just opened the door at the bottom, the boiler is totally silent and the 'boiler on' light comes on when turning room stat up or HW on. Makes no noise when it illuminates.

The whole system is silent, I can hear motor noise from the 3 port when switching from HW to CH etc but that's all.

Have been told they are returning to fit the new 3 port tomorrow between 7am and midnight!

Thanks

 

[Ermintrude]

You've been had by the bottom door bandits.

 

[meno]

You've been had by the bottom door bandits.

Not me, it's the company the housing association use.
Just cost my family a cold weekend (so far) and wasted time.

 

[mountainman]

Have been told they are returning to fit the new 3 port tomorrow between 7am and midnight!

Really!

 

[meno]

Really!

I'm afraid so, will keep you updated

 

[diamondgas]

There doesn't sound like there's much you can do meno ... fault of what you've described lies in the realms only someone qualified can venture IMHO 🙂

 

[meno]

There doesn't sound like there's much you can do meno ... fault of what you've described lies in the realms only someone qualified can venture IMHO 🙂

Fingers crossed a "proper" engineer like you lot arrives tomorrow :smile5:

 

[meno]

Fingers crossed a "proper" engineer like you lot arrives tomorrow :smile5:

Still waiting :angry_smile:

Just 7 hours to go

 

[Ermintrude]

Gutted! Just be nice to him he's probably run ragged. Tea and kitkat might help him out

 

[meno]

Gutted! Just be nice to him he's probably run ragged. Tea and kitkat might help him out

Certainly will SHOULD he turn up, kids have gone to bed now so if does arrive I'm sure it'll be just as they fall asleep

 

[mountainman]

I've worked for many housing associations over the years and unless something major has changed in their rates of pay then I wouldn't expect anyone to turn up after 4.30.

 

[SimonG]

I've worked for many housing associations over the years and unless something major has changed in their rates of pay then I wouldn't expect anyone to turn up after 4.30.

As late as that! 🙂

 

[Nostrum]

Nothing happens fast in the world of H.A, unfortunately you are just one of many jobs that need doing this time of year.
Blame the fellow residents who call the emergency line because they've run out of gas, or have knocked the radiator dragging the Christmas tree out the loft causing a drip on a valve which they describe as an 'uncontrollable leak' when a bowl or towel would suffice, or can't be bothered to be in for appointments meaning engineers are driving around all day knocking on empty house doors, or forget to turn the room stat up, or want to try and get a new boiler because the old one doesn't look nice anymore even though its head to toe in fridge magnets and last weeks dinner.

I really feel for the decent tenants who reside in social housing, who's live's are effected by the idiots who also do. Unfortunately my experience of it is that the good tenants get treated the same as the bad, and that's no compliment to the bad.

Its hard work this time of year.

 

[meno]

Just called them for a rough idea of a time, they told me they collect the part on route to the job and as the suppliers are now closed the engineer has skipped my job.

Lovely

 

[billybob150811]

have you turned the cylinder stat up that may test weather its the 3 port or not

 

[Ermintrude]

Just called them for a rough idea of a time, they told me they collect the part on route to the job and as the suppliers are now closed the engineer has skipped my job.

Lovely

Gutted!

 

[PriestyUK]

Just called them for a rough idea of a time, they told me they collect the part on route to the job and as the suppliers are now closed the engineer has skipped my job.

Lovely

What a joke that is bang out of order.

 

[Poxi]

Quickly going through this YOU DO NOT HAVE A 3 PORT VALVE FAULT, They need to send out a experienced Gas Safe engineer who knows what a multimeter is. ( Good Luck, Dont hold your breath)

 

[mountainman]

As late as that! 🙂

True, I was trying to sound positive.

 

[meno]

Quickly going through this YOU DO NOT HAVE A 3 PORT VALVE FAULT, They need to send out a experienced Gas Safe engineer who knows what a multimeter is. ( Good Luck, Dont hold your breath)

Just called them again and the lady on the phone even said that and as we've been mucked around and had no heating with three young children she has put it down as highest priority tomorrow, Yeh like that's going to help.

 

[SimonG]

A few years ago (quite a few now) we were in a HA flat. Hadn't even moved in properly yet. Combi boiler in the kitchen give up the ghost. I knew it was the pump that had gone, but it still took them 7 days to fix it. There contractor was Blands, and the bloke turned up to say he was having a look. Told me it was the pump, but he didn't carry one for that boiler. Grundfoss head would have worked. Took him four days to come back with the pump. He couldn't get the old pump out so decided to just switch the head. Snapped the impellor when he split the new pump apart. Grrrrrrrrrrr.

 

[IDCHAPPY]

🙁, You'd have thought it would have been highest priority days ago.

 

[spanner]

Wowee...brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..

 

[meno]

Wowee...brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..

Proper engineer just arrived, told him only the 'boiler on' light comes on, he immediately put the 3 port back in the van and got a PCB out, fitted it in 5 mins and all is sorted!

Thanks for all your help

 

[Solomon Baka]

Nice one, family be warm now.

 

[diamondgas]

Proper engineer just arrived, told him only the 'boiler on' light comes on, he immediately put the 3 port back in the van and got a PCB out, fitted it in 5 mins and all is sorted!

Thanks for all your help

You're welcome 🙂

 

[spanner]

Well done. Glad this was sorted any sooner than no later. A merry Christmas and a happy new year
Pcb problem solved.. 😱)

 

[Killy Bing]

You're welcome 🙂

Playing santa diamond?

 

[meno]

Playing santa diamond?

Spoke too soon, it works but the rads get hot then cool right down again then heat up again. Been doing this for 3 hours, during the cool down the pump is running and the boiler fan but not burner.

At least it should keep the chill off

 

[spanner]

Is there a bypass valve fitted into the heating system??

 

[diamondgas]

Playing santa diamond?

I have the figure :santa_smiley:

 

[diamondgas]

Spoke too soon, it works but the rads get hot then cool right down again then heat up again. Been doing this for 3 hours, during the cool down the pump is running and the boiler fan but not burner.

At least it should keep the chill off

Get them back out meno.. sounds like you still have problems with the boiler?

 

[joni os]

Is there a bypass valve fitted into the heating system??

Remove head of thermostatic valve from a large radiator, if heating remains on then bypass not working. Possible case for power flush if sludge in system is impeding circulation .

 

[meno]

Made no difference

Boiler and burner come on and rads get nice and hot, can't hold hand on a rad for more than a few seconds. Then burner stops and rads cool down to luke warm to warm within 20 mins, the fan and pump keeps running. Then burner fires up again and rads get hot within 10mins. This just repeats.

Room stat on 30c room currently 18c

TRVs all on max, previously if the room stat was above 23c the house was roasting

Just strange that the rads won't maintain a temp, called engineer back and he said he'd return

Thanks

 

[mountainman]

You're almost there 🙂

 

[diamondgas]

At this time you tend to want to see/feel/hear what's going on ... Some heat is better than none at all I guess 🙂

Issue could lie with circulation ... Do the radiators get hot top to bottom? I never feel the top of a radiator as an indicator of how well a system is working 🙂

 

[spanner]

Well at least you have the warmth sorted. As for the rads have you tried to give the radiators a bleeding through, see if the same thing persists. Was this happening beforehand????

 

[meno]

Engineer just been, after the burner has been on a while it cuts out at temp as it should but fails to fire up again, the pilot sparks but no gas until it cools down.

He said he will return in the morning and replace the gas valve / solenoid

 

[IDCHAPPY]

Sounds like the PCB going has taken out the gas valve, some older boiler were bad for that double whammy 🙁

 

[Nostrum]

Out of interest, which was the company you had previous to this lot?

 

[stevetheplumber]

ive just started with social housing work i was a bit worried i wouldnt be up to speed turns out most of them know less than me
went to a bunderous which was stuck in hot water mode obvious realy as theres a great big tap lit up in the display previous engineer had ordered a new pump despite the fact the boiler was producing hot water with out any problems problem

 

[meno]

I'm sure this company are Ok, very nice on the phone 24hrs but it's probably pot luck on the engineer you get. The first one was useless but todays was great.

 

[mountainman]

ive just started with social housing work

Get out of it mate, all grief for little reward.

 

[iain85]

I'm sure this company are Ok, very nice on the phone 24hrs but it's probably pot luck on the engineer you get. The first one was useless but todays was great.

Smells like british gas! Didn't flog you manga filter?

 

[Poxi]

When he returns go through the alphabet with him.

A b c d e f g h i j k l m n o P q r S t u v w x y z

See what i did there. ??

 

[mountainman]

Me no understanding SPA, pleze hexplane.

 

[meno]

Sorry I don't understand what you mean by APS.

The bloke that sorted it today and came back after i discovered a further problem was very clued up just like you lot, I did tell the company to never send me the first bloke again, life's to short

Will let you know if his diagnosis of Gas valve sorts it for good tomorrow

 

[Crinkmeister]

Automatic Pilchard Smoker?!

 

[spanner]

Oh mate its worst than waiting for a long bus.. I'm trying to keep up. What make is the combi boiler again...?? really I shouldnt be asking as I'm not gas safe yet...
This is a double wammy or a wouble dammy experience ..
OH MAN NN.NNNN.
Can't wait for the final of the year.. sounds amazinga..

 

[meno]

Oh my I have absolutely no idea what you are going on about, I was just keeping the engineers that helped in previous posts updated as I appreciated them sharing their knowledge. I've obviously took this too far and will leave it at that.

Thank you

 

[mountainman]

Sorry memo, it's just that after sixty odd posts on a topic our attention wanes.
I'm sure that your proper engineer will sort it out.
Bear in mind though that even the best is fallible and may need another attempt.

 

[spanner]

Sorry about the fuss I'll keep up. But after All.. put this in the new year resolution for 2014 it's close

 

[village idiot]

Certainly will SHOULD he turn up, kids have gone to bed now so if does arrive I'm sure it'll be just as they fall asleep

A bit naughty isn't it? You want to look after him as the kids will be asleep? BBLIMEY

 

[spike.gb]

Would you have an old Switchmaster diverter valve? If so the motor could have stopped working between the hot water and heating function therefore not sending a switch live back to the boiler.

 

[gassafe]

Smells like british gas! Didn't flog you manga filter?

British gas serviced one of my boilers I fitted 2 years ago last week! The engineer recommended a magna booster to the customer... Even tho there is a shiny new magnaclean below the boiler, with magnaclean sticker on case of boiler...only british gas would getaway with this.... Disgusting!