Thorn Apollo Problem + New Bolier

[bajers]

Hi Guys,

I have a Thorn Apollo 15/30B which is around 25 years old now and on it's last legs. I intend renewing it shortly but I would like to keep it going until the spring if possible. It has had a new gas valve about 10 years ago and a few thermocouples and thermostats over the years, but generally it has given sterling service. Appreciate a new boiler will last nowhere near as long as this though after reading your posts.

Problem is that ocasionally the solenoid in the gas valve does not seem to be operating correctly and does not cut the gas off to the burner, hence it's firing all the time. Switching the hi/lo switch on the boiler off does not make any difference, the only way to switch the burner off is to manually release the gas valve button. Is this dangerous?

Question is then, other than replace the gas valve, can any maintanance be done on the solenoid in the valve to give it a bit more of a lease of life? The boiler is not worth spending £100 odd for a new valve when I know I need a new boiler! It sounds like the solenoid is trying to operate because you can hear it clicking or 'arcing' if that makes sense. Worried that the whole thing could meltdown and I have a 'China Syndrome' on my hands!

Following on from that, I live in a medium sized 3 bed detached house, 1 bathroom plus en-suite and there is just the 2 of us. Boiler is presently in the garage. I would like a combi and, from these pages, I favour in the following order:-

1. Remeha Avanta 28c
2. Vaillant Ecotec Pro 28
3. Baxi Duotec 28
4. Veissman Vitodens 100-W

Could I have your thoughts please and would they be in that order? Never heard of Remeha before coming to this forum, but quite a few of you seem to have fitted them in your own homes which is good enough for me.

Also, would you resite the boiler from the garage to the airing cupboard? I am thinking the hot water side of things, where the pipe runs to hot taps would be shorter, hence quicker hot water out of the taps.

I do intend to get 3 quotes but would like a bit of independant advice first.

Many thanks in anticipation and a brilliant, informative site by the way.

Regards.

Barry.

 

[maul]

solenoid valves are supposed to be failsafe they are held open by an electro magnet and shut by a spring.
so if anything goes wrong the valve should shut ie power cut etc.
it sounds like yours is not getting the power cut to it which is a different problem.
it should be checked out by an engineer asap whatever as this is a really dangerous situation

 

[Puddle]

If gas valve not closing down,boiler should be turned off,not used and inspected by gas safe plumber as soon as possible,it is in a very dangerous condition,do not take this fault lightly !!!

If valve is faulty in this way,it should all be thrown away and complete new one fitted

Or does it close down when it reaches temp on the boiler thermostats ,if so it could be a motorised valve stuck in the open position

from your list would go
1
3
4
2


generally less pipework in system,more efficient it is,with out seeing system ,difficult to comment if worth the move

 

[bajers]

Dead on guys, thanks. Sorry, stupid question to ask really.....it's obviously got to be dangerous.

Motorised valve is fine and 99 times out of 100 the boiler is switching on/off fine either on the room stat or the boiler stat (either high or low). It's really worrying that switching the 'off' position on the actual boiler hi/low switch doesn't cut the gas, the burner is still blasting for Britain which makes me think it's the gas valve solenoid.

I'll just have to bring the new boiler date urgently forward.

Thanks once again for the prompt replies.

Still be interested on the views on the boilers though if anyone else would be kind enough to comment?

I'm looking at it from a personal perspective of build quality/reliability and backup. Price is important but the 1st 2 more so.

Cheers.

Barry.

 

[gasmarc]

the boiler will stay alight if there is a fault with the zone valve , Get a GSR to look at it , regarding choice remeha and viessmann I wouldnt touch anything else unless it has a five year guarantee parts and labour