Boiler on/off cycle 20 seconds

JBart · Jan 6, 2010

Hello all,

I'm new to this forum as a user but I've been taking some info from it lately. Although I didn't find the answer for this problem:

My boiler is a Myson Apollo 40Si about 10 years old. My landlord serviced it almost 2 years ago. Because of the cold weather I changed the thermostat to high. The water came out really hot and the radiators are hot too. The only problem is that the boiler on off cycle (fire, re-fire) is about 20 seconds!!! i.e. is working for 20 seconds, stops 20 seconds and refire again and so on... Is this normal? I think I'm wasting too much gas and imagine if I have my boiler on all night with this short cycles.

Can anyone give me a hint of possible problems?

Thanks for your help

JBart

Puddle · Jan 6, 2010

Well you are lucky it works ok on high ofter they overheat on high setting due to age and condition of heat exchanger
However the first thing that comes to mind,if this was not happening before, is gas pressures set to high
you are right this is not very efficient and requires correcting
Anyway you are paying rent,so just ring landlord or managing agent and tell him boiler is not working correctly,cutting off all the time and get it checked
Hope you have a currect Gas Safety Inspection Certificate,if not he can kill two birds with four stones 🙂

JBart · Jan 6, 2010

Thanks for your help puddle, I agree with you, the main problem is age. I cannot check for the pressure because there is no pressure gauge, this can only be done by an engineer right? Or can I buy a pressure gauge and connect it to the pressure test valve?
Regarding my landlord, I was reading the law and I think that he needs to have a Gas Safety Inspection Certificate every year right? However, if it is a cheap work to do I'll pay for the work because you now how 'fast' landlords are to give a solution to a problem....

Puddle · Jan 6, 2010

Firstly you are not allowed to touch the gas side by law and it is not your appliance it is the landlords and he would not or should not be happy about it being touched by a tenant
If a gas check has been done you should have a copy ,it is yearly,although some now are doing it yearly or when there is a tenant change within that year and by law you should have a copy
I do not know your landlord but go through him first, as it is his property and equiptment,sometimes they surprise you and get someone straight away,especially if gas check not done,if this is not the case ,then other avenues can be explored
To get things checked may not cost alot put if problems are found could be alot to put right

payney1974 · Jan 6, 2010

Yes should be serviced every 12 months, please dont get putting a pressure guage on the gas pipe!! This will be checked on your service.

doitmyself · Jan 6, 2010

What a coincidence! Someone has asked exactly the same question on another forum. 🙄

DIYnot.com > Boiler cutting off all the time

JBart · Jan 6, 2010

It is not a coincidence. And what is the problem of that? That's what the forums are for, to get as many opinions as possible and to learn.... At least that's why I use them!!! Thanks for those that reply, it was really helpfull.

Puddle · Jan 6, 2010

JBart said:
It is not a coincidence. And what is the problem of that? That's what the forums are for, to get as many opinions as possible and to learn.... At least that's why I use them!!! Thanks for those that reply, it was really helpfull.

Well you tried the rest and now have found the best 🙂🙂
Hope you get sorted

JBart · Jan 6, 2010

Thanks puddle. I follow your advise and contacted already my landlord. Waiting for his reply. Anyway, as soon as I get the boiler problem solved I will post it here so other users can know the anwer.