Pilot light in boiler keeps going out, but only when boiler is warm

[AndyGreen]

Hi all,

Just looking for some advice really.
I have a Glowworm Ultimate boiler which looks like this:

I have a very strange problem with it in that if the boiler is cold and I switch it on, the pilot light comes on, stays on and the boiler kicks in fine. However, after around 20 minutes, the pilot light starts going out every few seconds and the boiler sparks to re-ignite the flame. It's a blue flame, I can't see any orange.
If the boiler has already been on for a while, if I turn it off for 15 minutes or so and then start it up again, it ignites fine but then after 5 minutes or so, I have the same issue with the pilot light again.
It's as though the issue with the pilot light is dependant on how warm the boiler is.

Would this indicate that the thermocouple needs replacing?

Thanks for any assistance 🙂

 

[ShaunCorbs]

As your not gas safe please put the cover back on and call a pro in

 

[AndyGreen]

Hi Shaun, I haven't taken the cover off - boiler in the video isn't mine, it's just the same model.
I'm just looking for some advice on what the problem could be.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Hi Shaun, I haven't taken the cover off - boiler in the video isn't mine, it's just the same model.
I'm just looking for some advice on what the problem could be.

That’s good but I’m afraid you would still need a registered gas engineer to sort the issue as it’s a boiler fault sorry to say

 

[Harvest Fields]

Hi Shaun, I haven't taken the cover off - boiler in the video isn't mine, it's just the same model.
I'm just looking for some advice on what the problem could be.

No worries mate. You still need a registered gas engineer to sort you out on this one.

 

[AndyGreen]

That’s good but I’m afraid you would still need a registered gas engineer to sort the issue as it’s a boiler fault sorry to say

Yep, I'm definitely going to call a professional out, I don't intend trying to fix this myself.
I'm asking about this issue so I can get a better idea of the problem, so I can get a better idea of how much I would be looking at paying a professional to fix the issue. I've moved to a new area and I don't know anyone around here yet, so if someone just came along and told me they'd have to fit a new boiler, I wouldn't have anything else to go on.

 

[chris watkins]

Sorry but any info we would provide could allow someone else to have a go at fixing theirs & they would be breaking the Law.
Phone a couple of GSR up explain the problem & get them to give you a price.

 

[AndyGreen]

Ok well thanks anyway.
Andy

 

[centralheatking]

Hi all,

Just looking for some advice really.
I have a Glowworm Ultimate boiler which looks like this:

I have a very strange problem with it in that if the boiler is cold and I switch it on, the pilot light comes on, stays on and the boiler kicks in fine. However, after around 20 minutes, the pilot light starts going out every few seconds and the boiler sparks to re-ignite the flame. It's a blue flame, I can't see any orange.
If the boiler has already been on for a while, if I turn it off for 15 minutes or so and then start it up again, it ignites fine but then after 5 minutes or so, I have the same issue with the pilot light again.
It's as though the issue with the pilot light is dependant on how warm the boiler is.

Would this indicate that the thermocouple needs replacing?

Thanks for any assistance 🙂

Yes its the thermo . but you will need the Glowworn looking at properly
universal thermos are about £15.00 but need expert GSR fitting
centralheatking

 

[AndyGreen]

Thanks a lot for your help Centralheatking.
You've put my mind at rest.
You're not in the Dorset area by any chance are you?
Cheers,
Andy

 

[Harvest Fields]

Thanks a lot for your help Centralheatking.
You've put my mind at rest.
You're not in the Dorset area by any chance are you?
Cheers,
Andy

Don’t think that he is. He also isn’t Gas safe registered and shouldn’t comment on such issues on an open forum.

 

[chris watkins]

Yes its the thermo . but you will need the Glowworn looking at properly
universal thermos are about £15.00 but need expert 'Registered Professional Gas Engineer' fitting
centralheatking

Would this indicate that the thermocouple needs replacing?

That is strange because that boiler does not have a Thermocouple !!, which is precisely why you need the services of a proper GSR.

 

[centralheatking]

Thanks a lot for your help Centralheatking.
You've put my mind at rest.
You're not in the Dorset area by any chance are you?
Cheers,
Andy

I no longer do gas I now design all sorts of things to do with pressurised systems
I was Corgi, Acops and Acts as an installer and manager.

 

[AndyGreen]

Ok no worries. Well today I learned that not all boilers have thermocouples and that gas engineers are very secretive 😉

 

[centralheatking]

Ok no worries. Well today I learned that not all boilers have thermocouples and that gas engineers are very secretive 😉

me secretive no chance ...I am well known on here for being open minded, saying what I think and its a place to enjoy and learn ...I am 61 been in this game 40 years learn something almost everyday on PG...Dan ...PF ...!!!

 

[Dan]

Yep, I'm definitely going to call a professional out, I don't intend trying to fix this myself.
I'm asking about this issue so I can get a better idea of the problem, so I can get a better idea of how much I would be looking at paying a professional to fix the issue. I've moved to a new area and I don't know anyone around here yet, so if someone just came along and told me they'd have to fit a new boiler, I wouldn't have anything else to go on.

I understand what you're saying mate.

If it was something more to do with the water side there might be a hope in helping but with it literally being the gas side of it, nobody is allowed to.

Get 3 quotes. Don't go for the cheapest.

 

[AndyGreen]

I understand what you're saying mate.

If it was something more to do with the water side there might be a hope in helping but with it literally being the gas side of it, nobody is allowed to.

Get 3 quotes. Don't go for the cheapest.

Ok thanks Dan.
I didn't originally realise that you're not allowed to share information on potential causes of gas faults. Is this a Gas Safe Register restriction (or other authoritative body), or is this a forum restriction? I personally feel as if it's a bit daft, as the people who are stupid enough to play around with gas when they don't fully understand what they're doing will probably end up blowing themselves up whilst tinkering around regardless of what information is out here on the internet 😉

 

[Gasmk1]

because if someone who is not gas safe registered and competent to work on gas then if it goes with a bang or you cause a C O incident causing severe illness or death your insurance will be null and you may well end up with a long prison sentence

 

[Dan]

Ok thanks Dan.
I didn't originally realise that you're not allowed to share information on potential causes of gas faults. Is this a Gas Safe Register restriction (or other authoritative body), or is this a forum restriction? I personally feel as if it's a bit daft, as the people who are stupid enough to play around with gas when they don't fully understand what they're doing will probably end up blowing themselves up whilst tinkering around regardless of what information is out here on the internet 😉

It's the law mate. HSE. Gas Safe regulate the engineers but the law is enforced in courts and police look into who's caused a death or whatever.

Somebody going prison every week for messing with gas.

 

[AndyGreen]

Ok thanks a lot for clarrifying this Dan.
Andy

 

[EvilDrPorkChop]

Basically it's a common problem, a decent GSR engineer will be able to fix this pretty easily at a reasonable price. And no, i'm not in the Dorest area 😛

 

[chris watkins]

I personally feel as if it's a bit daft, as the people who are stupid enough to play around with gas when they don't fully understand what they're doing will probably end up blowing themselves up whilst tinkering around regardless of what information is out here on the internet 😉

I kind of agree with you Andy (removing the stupid gene & all that) however it is rarely just them that end up dead or injured, I don't want that on my conscience, so I have a simple self regulating system.
I will not provide information unless I am both sure it is correct & safe to do so (as far as reasonable possible) something we all should bare in mind!!
That way Mods would not need to get involved.

 

[Dan]

I kind of agree with you Andy (removing the stupid gene & all that) however it is rarely just them that end up dead or injured, I don't want that on my conscience, so I have a simple self regulating system.
I will not provide information unless I am both sure it is correct & safe to do so (as far as reasonable possible) something we all should bare in mind!!
That way Mods would not need to get involved.

Mods moderate they don't get involved. To moderate something is to keep it on topic. Forum means to discuss. We are forum moderators. We keep discussion on topic.

What the discussion actually is, is down to what is asked.

I think we will eventually get that here and not treat each thread like a new social media post.

It's up to the industry regulators and whatnot to bring rules in about discussion but that won't happen.

I even asked the regulator for an API to plug the forum accounts into so that when an annual registration is up, their account on the forum removes the tag if it isn't renewed.

They said no and wished me all the best. Lmao.

They couldn't care less what is discussed online as long as they have their cash coming in.

 

[Dan]

I've closed this thread now. You're welcome to discuss such a topic in a thread of your own. 🙂