Worcester Bosch Greenstart 15ri - not igniting

[Ashley777]

Hope someone can help me please.

I have a Worcester Bosch Greenstar 15ri, installed about 3 years ago. The boiler will not ignite. The blue light is on and is steady (dosen't flicker). When I switch the boiler on, the fan starts, the green light comes on, but the boiler fails to ignite. Afte a couple of minutes the green light goes off and the fan eventually stops. It repeats this cycle every so often, with the same results. No heating, no no water.

I have tried resettting and also have swithched the boiler off at the mains for a period, but no luck.

Any suggestions? I have called for an engineer but they can't come until Tuesday.

Thanks.

 

[dancinplumba]

hi, do you have gas ?

 

[Ashley777]

Thanks for the quick reply. Sorry for the dumb question, but what do you mean exactly? We have gas working in the house, gas hob works and gas fire works. Do you mean gas coming through the boiler? How do I find that out?

 

[mfgs]

You will have gas as it is lighting up for a couple minutes at a time. Sounds like a circulation issue, probably a knackered pump.

 

[Ashley777]

Thanks for your reply. Is there any easy (DIY) way to check the pump? Is it possible I have an airlock?

 

[stoker122]

Just had a similar problem turned out to be rust blocking a two port actuator. Probably best to wait for the engineer.

 

[Ashley777]

Thanks for all the replies.
I actually had a new Actuator and Motorised Valve fitted about 6 months ago, so am guessing it may not be that.

Just going to see if I can bleed the pump and also to check I have water in the header tank.

 

[Dotty]

Thanks for your reply. Is there any easy (DIY) way to check the pump? Is it possible I have an airlock?

Afraid not Ashley, not without taking the case off which would be illegal for you to do.

Whereabouts are you? One of the lads on here could be within spitting distance.

 

[Dotty]

Doh! External pump?

 

[vern]

Doh! External pump?

Yep heat only boiler

 

[Ashley777]

I live in Basingstoke, Hampshire.

 

[Destroyer2813]

Doh! External pump?

Wouldnt expect you to know that Croppie, your commercial :smile:

 

[Dotty]

Wouldnt expect you to know that Croppie, your commercial :smile:

And proud of it monkey boy!

 

[Destroyer2813]

That's alright then ape man

 

[BLOD]

What length warranty did you get when it was installed ? - if it's only just out I'd give worcester a call anyway

 

[R1CKY]

Easiest way to check the pump is to listen to it. Stick a screwdriver on the front of the pump and stick the handle to you ear, using the screwdriver like a stethoscope.

The pump should be gently whirring away, if it is buzzing or knocking it is likely to be knackered.

 

[Ashley777]

I really very much appreciate all the replies and suggestions.

From what I have read, the pump made the most sense as the most likely problem. I undid the pump bleed screw one turn but nothing much happened and the boiler still didn't ignite. However, I then removed the bleed screw completely, a few drops of water came out. Poked my little finger in the hole but didn't sem to be any debris. Put back the bleed screw, gave the pump a firm couple of taps and amazingly the boiler ignited!

I've been trying a number of times over the last 2 days to start the boiler but with no success, so hopefully it's not just a coincidence.

Boilers been on now for the last couple of hours, the radiators and water are now nice and warm.

Question is, I suppose, have I actually done anything to solve the problem and will the boiler fire up again in the morning. Perhaps the pump just got stuck and will be ok from now on........my guess is the pump (I expect at least 20 years old) may be on it's last legs and perhaps will fail again soon........assuming it is actually the pump that is the problem.

Wife and daughter very happy to be warm again so BIG THANKS to all!

 

[iain85]

Swap the pump out, it's an easy job. May last but the likelihood is it will seize again. I think you've had your money's worth at 20 years!

 

[stoker122]

Good to hear you,ve got heat again.
If the pump had stuck it is probably getting weak and will need to be replaced.
Hopefully you can get it changed before it stops again.

 

[jase158]

and you can get some good pumps which only use the right amount of electric at the right time, dont ask me how!!

 

[jtsplumbing]

Change pump and think about cleaning out the heating system, could be dirty and have all sorts of bits going around system.