Potterton Suprima 80 HE Fan problems.

[Danny. Avia Gas]

Hi, You may be aware of this but . . . . had a disproportionate amount of problems lately with Suprima 80 HE fans popping. I have replaced several at various addresses only to be called back for exactly the same fault. . . Another new but stone dead fan. One property had 2 replacements in 3 weeks and now we are about to replace a third. Because the fan was so new, it should not have any marks on it but I noticed a small water stain on top of the black plastic vented cowling (PCB housing) indicating the prescence of water that had dripped through the grille that keeps the PCB vented and cool. The flue outlet seal right above it has let by. There is no mention of this from Potterton tech support when they are called to confirm analysis. When you order the fan, get the seal at the same time, boys. its called a "60 diameter seal" Part No: 5113042

Aye Thang Yow.

Danny. Avia Gas.

 

[John k]

Thanks - this seems like my problem - on the third fan in six weeks - all with water stains at the back - and you're ringht the P help desk - hasn't mentioned it in 4 calls and the part number is not on the spares list !!
Probably saved me a fifth visit by my plumber ! JK

 

[Danny. Avia Gas]

. . . Old story with Potterton. They never admit to design flaws. Bit tricky wriggling the nylon "periscope" flue out, trickier still getting it back in. Loosen 3 bolts on top of boiler that hold flue flange down, and lift the horizontal part a wee bit. Plenty of plumbers grease and watch the new seal as it goes on.

Good luck.

Danny.

 

[Puddle]

Thanks for the heads up Danny

 

[John k]

Danny - had the new seal delivered - proably needed anyway, but the elbow had badly corroded - leaving gaping hole as well as rusting away at the end closest to the boiler - the part is power coated mild steel so any scratch on the paintwork will start this happening. Get the guys to shine a torch down the flue? on service calls - difficult to see otherwise.

John K

 

[Danny. Avia Gas]

Thanks John. I noticed that the powder coating had blistered off but only where the seal had enclosed it, hence the copius amount of PG recommended, but hadnt noticed the rest had suffered. I will keep an eye to this though. The water condensed from products of combustion is mildly (!!?) corrosive like say a fizzy drink. This is why in the manufacturers instructions all condensation pipework is to be installed in plastic. But apparently the elbow in question was overlooked at design stage?! Lob the part number on John if you get a minute. Ta.

Danny.

 

[John k]

Danny The saga continues - the old (steel) part is 500016 - the replacement that arrived is plastic - but doesn't fit the horizontal flue through the wall. Couldn't see a part no on this one. At the moment the elbow (steel) is patched up with tape so we have a working system - but it would be good to have this job finished! (Being plastic the flue end of the elbow needs more stiffness so on the one provided so far there is a flange making the O/D bigger by about 6mm)
John k

 

[Danny. Avia Gas]

Blimey John! This one does qualify as a saga, I'll give you that. Right, Potterton being cagey with culpability would not announce that the 'replacement' is of a different material because they cocked it up in the first place. BUT have they sent you the right one? The impervious material suggests they have at last got it right but the incompatibilty screams out that its from another boiler. Get on to 'em John and confirm that its the correct one and where is the other bit that makes it fit. . . .

Good luck mate. Let us know how you get on.

Ta.

Danny.

 

[John k]

Danny success at last - though it means we have a replacement metal 5000016 elbow - the new one looks like heavily galvanised steel elbow - the steel must be thin as its pretty light (had another look at th old part - it looks more like Al - why corrosion though). You were right the plastic one was the wrong part, it was followed by a flue kit which was even worse - so thats why we are back to a direct replacement. Pretty difficult to check if one is rotting - as there is a plastic flue tube inside it. Suggestion - Perhaps check the back of the fan to see if there are any signs of a leak (need a mirror) - and then tap the bottom inside radius of the elbow to see if its going??? Would using a spray of something like WD40 down the flue prolong its life? I dont want to be going through this every four years!
cheers
John k

 

[Danny. Avia Gas]

. . . . Saga over (for now by the sounds of things!).

I dont know if using a spray would do much after a few weeks of corrosive humidty coarsing through it, John. There is a measure that can be taken that is certain to provide the least problems for the future though. Worcester Bosch. Superb appliance. I would suppose their tech support guys are the most bored gas fitters on the planet. I have installed nothing but Bosch for the last 4 years and I have called them once for a 'Bosch' problem and that was a neon lens that was missing when I lifted the boiler out of the box. By the time I had it ready to hang on the wall that same day they turned up and replaced it.

Worth thinking about when the time comes even for a patient man like yourself decides enough is enough.

Well done though mate.

Danny.

 

[mattyp]

Stumbled across this thread after I had a new customer say her boiler keeps needing new fans( Suprima 80 he) ! It was a great help, as you can see the flue elbow had rotten,causing condensate to drip back and kill the other 3 fans !!

 

[Dotty]

Too much info for a public forum! Going into the private forum.