Baffling condensate pump problem

[Paul_A]

Hi

4 years’ ago I had a Worcester Bosch Greenstar Ri boiler installed. Due to its location, a Sauermann condensate-removal pump was also fitted. For the first three years, no problems, but then the pump began to operate every few minutes whether the boiler was operating or not. I have an engineering background so had no problem discovering the pump's non-return valve was faulty, i.e. it was leaking. I contacted Sauermann who initially were very helpful. I was told the valves do fail every few years, which is fair enough, so I ordered a replacement and a spare for the future.

After 3 months, the new valve failed. I fitted the spare and that too failed in a couple of months or so. I contacted Sauermann again who implied that there is a rare but known problem when their pumps are installed with the Worcester Bosch model we have. Their solution is to install their pH Safe device which fits in-line with the valve to filter out whatever they think it is causing the problem. Sadly, that device does not fit the pump I have, and they don't offer one that does.

I contacted Worcester Bosch and I wasn't surprised that they had no idea what Sauermann were on about but would investigate if they had specific details. I have tried all ways to get Sauermann to give me more information, even writing a ‘proper’ letter to the MD. Nothing!

I have found that if I immerse the faulty valve in water for a few days it will eventually return to a working state, although only for a few weeks. So this is where I now am – swapping the valves as and when they fail, which is fairly useless if the house is to be left unattended for a long spell during cold weather. I have recently had the boiler serviced by a Gas Safe engineer who found nothing untoward whatsoever. A relative had the same pump installed with a WB boiler at around the same time, albeit their's is a combi boiler, whereas mine isn’t. They have had no problems.

Can ANYBODY tell me why this problem did not arise for 3 years but is now a permanent feature? I’d be really grateful for any help.

Thanks, Paul

 

[lame plumber]

no, try a new pump, £65 and less stress than trying to resolve a wierd problem

 

[rpm]

Im thinking its to do with the rubber compound used in the NRV which has been effected by the acidic solution from the boiler but then Im a pump man not a plumber

 

[Dotty]

Im thinking its to do with the rubber compound used in the NRV which has been effected by the acidic solution from the boiler but then Im a pump man not a plumber

In a pump designed to remove condensate.........

 

[rpm]

fair point croppie but It was just an idea and I`ve never heard of that pump but have seen wrong pumps installed in wrong situations.

 

[Dotty]

fair point croppie but It was just an idea and I`ve never heard of that pump but have seen wrong pumps installed in wrong situations.

I know, made me smile is all :smilewinkgrin:

 

[R1CKY]

I've noticed that Worcesters seem to have a lot of debris in their condense trap compared with other boilers, I wonder if some of this is making its way into the NRV and knackering it?

 

[Paul_A]

Thanks for all the replies. Having asked for advice, I am loathe to disregard it, coming as it does from those that actually work in the industry. Here are my thoughts though.

The condense trap was checked for debris - there was none.

I have considered that a new pump might solve it, and if I thought it definitely would, I would replace it. Because I've discounted the NRV itself, that would imply that something in the pump mechanism is malfunctioning, and with my electro-mechanical engineering background, I cannot see how that in itself could possibly produce a substance that would affect the NRV.

Many thanks anyway.