Valliant F22 error - sensor clogged up

[endo55]

Hi,

I have a Valliant boiler which gave me 3 F22 errors in two days. The pressure gauge on the right hand side of the boiler was showing 1.5bar, so I assumed it was a faulty pump rather than it running on little water.
I called BG Homecare. The repair person said that:

The problem was the sensor (yellow sensor on left hand side, can't see it without remove the fascia). It had become blocked due to buildup of dirt in the system.The dirt is caused by corrosion of metals in the system. It's a common problem in modern boilers. The repair person cleaned out the sensor. There may be more dirt in the system which will again clog the sensor and cause the error message. He showed me some black sludge/water in the system that came directly out of the boiler which was black so he thinks this is likely.
When the time comes to turn on radiators, we will likely find that some won't work due to the build up of dirt.
The solution is to fit a filter to the central heating return pipe. This comes as a brass tap, which filters out dirt before it goes back into the system, which we can use to drain out the dirt.

Do all these statements make sense? Is the brass tap filter the correct solution? Is it "normal" for boilers to corrode and cause this black water? What's the best way to clean-up the system completely?

Thanks very much for any advice.

 

[hammers4spanner]

sounds like a BG PUSHING FOR POWER FLUSH

how old is your system??

 

[SimonG]

The next thing will be them selling you an expensive powerflush. Get an independent out to get some cleaner in, flush it out (not powerflush), flush it through again, fit a decent filter on the return and refill adding inhibitor.

I think BG exclude issues with regard to sludge from their coverage.

 

[endo55]

Hi, thanks for your replies.

The system is 7-8 years old.
What is a power flush?

>Get an independent out to get some cleaner in
Is that like a product you put in the system to clean things out?
Does flush it out mean you empty all the water in there and push water through till it all comes out?

>decent filter on the return
Is that the same thing as BG is saying in terms of the filter?

> refill adding inhibitor.
What does that mean?

What is this sludge? Where is it coming from?

Thanks.

 

[hammers4spanner]

sludge is oxidisation of system which in the long run wrecks your boiler and system ,

power flush is mains water blasted through your system which bg will charge small fortune for

a filter will help protect the damging sludge entering expensive to replace boiler

x800 cleaner is an acidic based substance which will help remove sludge

inhibitor stoips build up of sludge but replace approx every 3 years

 

[endo55]

Thanks for the clarifications.
Does the filter require cleaning occasionally, how does that work/what does it look like?

So you put the liquid inhibitor in the system to protect it? Just to be sure, the water that circulates in the heating system is never in contact with shower/drinking water?

Again a silly question but why aren't filters fitted by default with every installation?

 

[hammers4spanner]

most are now fitted or a recomendation to fit cost about £100 tho so puts price of install up

yes inhibitor protects from corrosion

and yes the filter should be cleaned on annual service

and no system water and domestic water are seperate

( well they are if a cowboy has not fitted)

 

[endo55]

Thanks a lot for the advice.

 

[hammers4spanner]

F22 should be nothing major

 

[zzzjim]

What is a power flush?


.

A nice little earner for BritGas !

 

[endo55]

Hi,

I got 3 options from my independent plumber. I have 16 radiators over 3 floors. He strongly recommends Magna clean filters. Any advice appreciated. Cheers

- Drain system just to fit Magna clean filter only then refill adding inhibitor. £ 255
- Fit filter connect flushing machine briefly clean radiators a floor at a time using cleaning chemicals add inhibitor once complete. £ 385
- Fit filter carry out a full power flush cleaning one radiator at a time using chemicals then add inhibitor once complete. £ 665

 

[endo55]

Hi, any feedback or advice on the above quotes would be appreciated.
Should I go with the second option ? Is the price fair ?
Thanks

 

[lame plumber]

get 2 other quotes to compare local prices, but dont tell those quoting each others costs or youll just waste your time in a dutch auction

 

[Rickster123]

I'd say those prices are very fair.

 

[endo55]

Thanks is the second option sufficient or is it worth clearing every radiator ?
Cheers

 

[lame plumber]

if youve cold rads on the bottom needs a full flush

 

[RoryD]

Low pressure sensors fail on these with regular monotony. They do get sludged up, but a powerflush won't solve your problem, a new sensor will

 

[Dotty]

Right.

More than enough info on this thread in open forum. Been making me uneasy for too long.

Moving to GSR private forum.