Powerflushed Baxi tripping

[Tab22]

I'd be really grateful for any advice on this.

Boiler was overheating and tripping, British Gas (Homecare) blamed dirt in system and recommended Magnaclean for £450 (and said Powerflush + Magnaclean would cost £750)!

Got an independent plumber to do a powerflush + chemicals and fit a Sentinel filter (for much less) but the system is still tripping.

British Gas blame dirt within the boiler, have reset but won't otherwise touch it because they didn't do the flush; say we have to revert to the indy plumber.

Indy plumber adamant it won't be dirt in the boiler (but he didn't clean within the boiler as such, just flushed through the pipes and radiators). He suggests that it could be thermostat or circuit board (though BG say thermostat fine).

System is currently running, but I expect it to trip again anytime. Feel stuck in the middle. Any advice?

If there is dirt within the boiler, if I simply access the reset button myself and keep the system running, would that eventually shift any dirt in the boiler into the Sentinel?

Thanks in anticipation.

Tab

 

[GrahamM]

What is the exact make/model of boiler and system? How long was the plumber powerflushing the system?
How often is it tripping out?
Was it running ok until recently?
Would not advise you to go resetting a safety device willy-nilly.

 

[gasmarc]

this is BG way out of any job they cannot fix , it could be numerous things dodgy stat ,lazy pump, over gassed ,iffy sensor

 

[Tab22]

It's a Baxi Combi 80 Eco. Plumber powerflushed the system for several hours. It was running completely clear at one point, I would have been happy to drink it, then he put in chemicals and ran it longer.

We just got the flat in Spring and hadn't really been using the CH much until about a month ago. It seems to trip out after a couple of days if running at very high setting, which we'd done for quick blast of heat on recent cold days. Have been running it at medium temperature since the last BG reset, 2 days ago and it has been OK so far.

If there is residual dirt in the boiler itself (which the plumber didn't clean out) will that be washed through to the filter if we keep boiler running?

BG guy said the thermostat was OK but could he really be certain that there isn't an intermittent problem if system is run for a period with temperature up high?

 

[GasMan1983]

by tripping do you mean the electrics? or just going to lockout?

 

[Tab22]

by tripping do you mean the electrics? or just going to lockout?

It's the thermostat safety cut-out that trips. Have been running the boiler since last reset by BG at about 75% max (which is hot enough anyway) and it's not cut-out since. The reset button is behind the panel and at least I know how to reset it now.

Very unhappy with BG about this. Felt pressurised by BG to get Powerflush (for which they wanted to charge £750) and because I got someone else to do it, BG try to disown any responsibility and blame the flush! I still suspect there's something wrong with the thermostat or circuit board.

If there's any recurrence after a few months I'll kick up a stink with BG.

 

[oldplumber]

could be a bit of residual air in system which causes overheat to cutout, had this yesterday on same boiler type having replaced a prv, try it for a while and if no further probs you should be ok. re flush: if you connect direct to pump housing then youll have flushed thro the boiler during the flushing process, less so maybe if you connect in elsewhere on the system but the water has to go around the system inc the boiler unless you disconnect the boiler during flushing and I havent seen that done very often.

 

[GasMan1983]

could be a bit of residual air in system which causes overheat to cutout, had this yesterday on same boiler type having replaced a prv, try it for a while and if no further probs you should be ok. re flush: if you connect direct to pump housing then youll have flushed thro the boiler during the flushing process, less so maybe if you connect in elsewhere on the system but the water has to go around the system inc the boiler unless you disconnect the boiler during flushing and I havent seen that done very often.

Also i wouldnt suggest you don't need to run a chb at full tilt, it doesnt need to be overworked.
The powerflush pump head adaptor is a nice bit of kitand as stated above enables the boiler and system to be flushed.
And regarding the point of BG taking p*ss with quoting for flushes.... well BG state in the terms and conditions that faults related to sludge/poor water content is NOT covered. Im sorry but if you dont take the time to read the conditions for something which you pay for before you pay then more fool you.

If you didnt have the chb installed by them then they aren't responsible fot the treatment of the water during installation i.e adding chemical protectors to stop the the problem in the first place. So they inherit a system which could be already sludged up and at the first inspection visits they now check the water and quote accordingly.

Also if you just bit the bullet and got the flush done by BG then they cant say sh*t if you have any problems thereafter, your entirely guaranteed.

I used to be contracted for they're Long Duration work and know that like any heating company some of their engineers aren't up to scratch and do resort to the flush when daft stuff like the pump being round the wrong way, faulty sensors but if your not happy i would request to have a home visit from the area SERVICE MANAGER, who is basically the boss of your region/patch.

They will attend and take water samples to check if the flush has been done to their standard. Then if its a boiler fault like you think then im sure a bit of compensation will be on its way.

 

[Tab22]

Also i wouldnt suggest you don't need to run a chb at full tilt, it doesnt need to be overworked.
regarding the point of BG taking p*ss with quoting for flushes.... well BG state in the terms and conditions that faults related to sludge/poor water content is NOT covered. Im sorry but if you dont take the time to read the conditions for something which you pay for before you pay then more fool you..

Thanks for your advice, which I do find helpful. I did understand the point about the water content and BG's homecare terms. My issue wasn't about getting the system flushed but about the charges. In fact I decided off my own bat to go for a flush, the BG engineer had actually just recommended a Magaclean + chemicals for £450!!! (and mentioned £750 for a flush as an aside) . Anyway, system does seem to be working now, and appreciate comments about how to escalate should it be necessary in future.

 

[GasMan1983]

ye the £450 job is a "magnaclense". Its basically a preventitive action to be taken before the water becomes a real problem, in some cases can get the cold spots out of radiators But again i would get the SM out and describe the symptoms you had prior to being told about the flush/clense and state that you feel you have been given misinformation and "Bad Advice" from the engineer and say that you feel he didnt diagnose the problem thoroughly.

BG engineers are told by the management to give "Best Advice" to their customers and this should ring alarm bells with the SM.
Most SM are more experienced engineers and tend to have good knowledge. What may seem like a dramatic problem, they could fix with a fresh approach as they can spend time and are not targeted on job times.

Anyway hope you see a conclusion to your issues.

 

[GasMan1983]

Also if you has said yes to the £450 job then the boiler problem wasn't sorted you have got your money back plus an immediate reassessment if the situation. If there are blockages internally at the appliance a "sonic clense" would have been better advice. That involves basically stripping all the components out which may be blocked and cleaning them sonically. Works a treat with the alpha cbx's.

However as one others guys said if it's overheating it's probably something simple like a pump not gettin the water away fast enough or over gas at max I.e incorrect burner pressure.