Just hoping that in amongst the vast array of knowledge on here someone might just know about gas Central heating boilers ?

Basically my pilot light won't stay alight.
I have cleaned it up (lots of crap about) and replaced the thermocouple... no good

I can get the pilot light started but when i release the start button it goes out straight away.

OH yes - its a Glow-worm fuelsaver 55-60

(Advice along the lines of "leave it to an expert" will treated with the contempt it deserves!)

Cheers

if you've changed the thermocouple (and positioned it correctly) it's likely to be the gas control unit - sure your thermocouple connections are OK?

Not unknown to get a duff thermocouple also!

Just had a similar problem with a glow worm but not sure which model. It was full of black soot and the pilot went out and was difficult to keep going. Got someone round for a quote for a new boiler and he saw the flame when it was lit and said "turn it off now" because it was not burning properly and giving off carbon monoxide.

£1k (which should have been spent on the locost) I have a nice new combi boiler and a warm house again!

HMM ... new boiler - not an option

can't afford more than about £200 and that would break the bank so..... guess its a little DIY....

What sort of boiler is it Dave ? balanced flue, fan at the top that runs all the time then kicks in faster as the boiler fires up.
Bob

very simple - no fan that i can see, just a vent straight to outside.

the problem with diy boiler/ gas repairs is that they end in tears. The boiler should have a book with it that has a flow chart.
the boiler will go through a startup seqence and that you follow to point out where the fault lies. HRPC do spares for all these boilers. But get a corgi guy to set the burner up. If you have a yellow flame its going to kill you and your family.
blue is good yellow = death!!!!!!!!!!!
Worse still if your insurance doesnt pay up cause youve splattered your house all over the street.........200 quid get a boy out ask corgi for a name.

Dave,

If you decide to get a man in (Ooer, missus!) you could try 'The Gas Shop' in Felixstowe. No cheaper than anyone else, but they won't condemn your boiler in the hope of getting a new boiler sale - pretty honest folk.

David

what did i say about the contempt it deserved.........

I know the risks and I understand the problems....

I'm not about to try anything that is dangerous or outrs my family in danger.

Just want to make sure it's not something i can do myself before i fork out a fortune....

And we all KNOW what a bloody rip off these people are - usually some prat who doesn't know sod all anyway.

Just rang one of my customers Dave who owns a heating company,first thing he said was its a common problem its the over heat stat which is either at the top right or left of the boiler (he couldnt remember which) which is in circuit with the thermocouple its black about the size of a 10p(some he said are shaped like a 20p) with 2 wires running to it.
For a test, snip the wires short em out with a bit of connector strip and try that,he said you can run it without but get a replacement for safety reasons.
He said 9 times outa 10 thats the problem.
Cheers,
Bob

Sounds Promising....

I had a feeling it was going to be something along those lines - but had a 'lack of knowledge' problem...

Something to try after work....

Thanks

Let me know how you get on .
Bob

words can't express....

A warm house again!

Thanks Bob

Will have to leave it shorted out for tonight and get a new cut out tommorow.

Thanks again

I've just replaced the thermocouple in our boiler today. The tip was burnt off it. It's cured the cutting out anyway so we're warm as well. I have a little wood burning stove in the other room as an excuse to have a chainsaw and a big axe . You get warm cutting the wood as well as burning it.

yours, Pete.

Hmmm...

Just went to remove the overhaet sensor in order to get a replacement - and discovered the 'reset' button..... Arghhhhhhh !!!!



All fixed and didn't cost me a penny, in fact I saved money by having no gas used for 2 days....

Ah well youve learnt another skill.
I had a guy out to my boiler about 4 years ago he said it needs a new circuit board after lots of sucking of breath it'll be £300 told him bollox,checked it out and found it was a duff relay cost me £1.50.
Ive no objection to a man charging a fair price for a job,its when they think your an absolute moron that pisses me off.
Cheers,
Bob

[Edited on 27/2/04 by splitrivet]

Excelent advice regarding the overheat stat i had the same problem it now works but can anyone tel me where to get a new one I also need an igniter all local suppliers say they stopped making spares in 98 web site or phone no would be great

A overheat stat is a overheat stat just cos it doesnt say glow worm or whatever on it doesnt mean it wont do the job,its only a klixon, take it along to a supplier and ask if he's got owt similar.
Cheers,
Bob

[Edited on 23/2/05 by splitrivet]