Boilermate 2000/ Potterton suprima boiler

I currently have a boilermate 2000 installed along with a Potterton suprima boiler.

Usually during the winter months it plays up – working during the day, not working during the night thus waking up to a cold house. My sons room is directly above the boiler and he says during the night it fires up for around 30 seconds and then cuts off and continues doing so.

When it does decide to work, the boilermate makes a noise as if the tap is on for a second and then off (water flows, water stops, water flows), similarly this sound is also heard in the radiators – as if the water flows and stops through the hole system.

I have had numerous gas engineers from my company and british gas but no one seems to be able to fix the problem as 9/10 it is either working on their arrival or they don’t know the system.

I have replaced a couple of sensors in the past as well as the PCB but the problem still persists.

Please Help!

Many thanks

Has any one checked that the unit is full ?
Mike
MGC/H2O
Norfolk

I do not think so? Most people that have looked at it do not have a clue if I am honest!

Is it something I could check?

Thanks for your help.

Yes you need to drain some water out of the unit.
And make sure the water level in the top tank (F& E) drops.
Also is there a frost stat installed in the garage?
Mike
MGC/H2O
Norfolk

Hi Mike,

I do not have a frost stat installed in the garage. Other engineers have drained the unit before. Should i try drain it myself?

Would this be causing the boiler to fire up and cut out constantly? Please note the heating system is on just now and roasting! At first I thought it was a gas problem - perhaps 1st thing in the morning there is a higher demand therefore limited gas in the area like the old scene of a hotel when people use a shower. Surely with mains gas this wouldn't be possible?

Thanks again.

Paul

One more thing...

In the F&E tank - should the vent pipe be below the water? I had spoken to someone and they said to check the water level in the F&E tank as there was water coming out the overflow quite alot.

Thanks

Just check that when draining water from the Bm 2000 that the level in the top tank drops.
If it was drained and filled a few days to a week ago then don't bother.
Any longer than that I would check it.
The vent pipe should NOT be under the water.
If the overflow is dripping then check ball valve to F & E tank.
Turn off supply to ball valve, empty water from tank or lower it.
Run unit for a day and see it it rises.
If ok put ball valve supply on .
Also how are you using the heating? by the time clock or room stat?
Mike

Thank you.

I am using a room stat but if it doesn't work I try and override it using the timeclock and select on. This does not rectify the problem though and will usually stay off. It will sometimes come on if i switch the spur off and on a few times at the boiler mate.

Hi Mike,

I drained some water from the unit last night from which it filled itself back up from the F&E tank. The water level from within the tank seems fine. The heating was fine last night but I have came in from work and its back to being intermittent. (making the noise from the like opening a tap and closing it constantly and this is heard in the flow through the radiators.)

Last night, underneath the boiler was extremely hot. It was doing the same thing for a while but then stayed on. I am not sure if the problem lies with the boilermate or the potterton suprima as the boiler keeps making sounds similar to the engine when driving, and then taking your foot off the pedal - as if the gas is not getting to it. I have spoken to one of the other gas engineers in my work and they have said they will have a look at it but to be honest, they do not fill me with confidence as noone to date has been able to sort it - either due to it working fine when they come, or are unsure of the system.

Hope you can pass comment.

Thanks,

Paul

Bit hard really.
But the boiler noise could be the fan.
Need to make sure the pumps are all ok too.
And whether any pipes are blocked or restricted.
Mike

Hi Mike,

You will be glad to hear my heating system is finally fixed..... or so I think.

After a costly repair (replacement of the PCB in the suprima and the boiler mate as well as a faulty thermistor) the heating has been working excellent - hot water when needed, radiators working to the time clock/ thermostat. Over the last couple of nights my son mentioned that round about 10pm the boiler fires up for approx 10-20 secs and cuts out and then after a few seconds it repeats the course. This keeps going until it is set to switch off at 11pm.

Do you have any idea what that problem could be? I was thinking perhaps a faulty heat sensor or similar and that may suggest how the PCB's ended up braking in the first place?

I look forward to your advice.

Many thanks,

Paul