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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Plumbing Questions >> Tricky problem with a Glowworm Ultracom 30cxi https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1481041732 Message started by Rob159 on Dec 6^th, 2016, 4:28pm

Title: Tricky problem with a Glowworm Ultracom 30cxi
Post by Rob159 on Dec 6^th, 2016, 4:28pm

Hi
We have a problem with our boiler which several visits by a competent plumber have failed to fix. I hope that someone can point us in the right direction because it is getting expensive to solve. Sorry for the long explanation but I want to give as much detail as I have...

Condensing boiler : Glowworm Ultracom 30 cxi
Approx 7 years old

The problem is that, at certain times, the boiler will fail to ignite and it gives an F1 fault code (see below). The boiler has had this problem since we moved in to the house approx. 3 months ago.

F1 Fault code –Boiler has attempted to light 5 times and failed.
Possible causes according to the instruction manual:
-Gas tap is closed
-Problem with gas valve connector
-problem with ignitor / low gas pressure
-Incorrect gas valve adjustment
-Electrode ignition lead problem
-Electrode problem
-Air inlet blocked
-Earthing connection problem
-Condensate blocked

In recent visits the plumber replaced the pump (grinding noise and about finished apparently). On his next visit he was going to change the electrode but in the end decided to change the igniter. The problem still persists. Apart from perhaps the electrode, we think that the other possible causes are not the problem.

The strange thing is that we can quite effectively predict when the problem will occur. It will never happen on a weekday morning luckily but it regularly happens on a weekend (Saturday morning and Sunday evening particularly). Until recently, resetting the boiler got it to work straightaway but in the last couple of weeks there have been a couple of occasions when we have reset it several times consecutively because it keeps failing and then had to give up. Later on it will work again. We mainly notice the problem when running a hot water tap/shower and the strange thing is that we will get perhaps 30 seconds of hot water before it cuts off which seems a bit strange. We have only noticed the heating not fire a couple of times.

Because the timing of the fault does not appear random we wonder if it could be linked to the timer. We control the central heating from a wireless thermostat but this doesn’t even have a day to day function on it. We have just noticed in the instruction manual that the actual boiler has a clock and timer but we cannot access it from the control panel (supposed to hold down Program button for 5 seconds to set time). Rather than a fault we suppose that this may just be over ridden by the remot thermostat.

Any ideas what the fault is and how we can fix it will be gratefully received. If you have any further questions then please ask.

Rob

Title: Re: Tricky problem with a Glowworm Ultracom 30cxi
Post by thescruff on Dec 7^th, 2016, 10:40am

Has any of the plumbers/RGI tested the gas pressure.

Is the problem noticeable when other appliances are on.

Have ask a question and will get back with the answer later

Title: Re: Tricky problem with a Glowworm Ultracom 30cxi
Post by thescruff on Dec 7^th, 2016, 12:45pm

May help.

[quote]The 'zig' ignition module is very unreliable on these and I have had to change a few.

Other than that, as you say, gas valve, ignition electrodes, condensate blocked etc etc[/quote]

Add to that gas pressure needs to be tested from the meter.

Title: Re: Tricky problem with a Glowworm Ultracom 30cxi
Post by Rob159 on Dec 8^th, 2016, 11:12am

Appreciate your comments

Gas pressure looks okay on the boiler display and we have not noticed the problem arising when other appliances are running. We can get the pressure tested at the meter in case it could be different to the boiler. Can gas pressure from the mains vary during the day or is it constant?

Regarding the condensate, would it typically be the outlet outside that gets blocked? I can double check this myself but if it can happen near the boiler it might be more difficult.

Title: Re: Tricky problem with a Glowworm Ultracom 30cxi
Post by thescruff on Dec 8^th, 2016, 4:01pm

Your RGI engineer will have to measure the gas pressures at the meter and boiler, there is no display for it. probably the first thing your guy should have done.

Condensate trap/pipe can block/freeze depending on the size and exposure.