"John" wrote in message
...

"RichardS" noaccess@invalid wrote in message
.. .
"John" wrote in message
...

snip


IMHO this is one of lifes nasty fiddly repair jobs. Fortunately it is
likely
to be a diaphragm assembly which has failed and a service kit is
fairly
readily available. Fitting it is another matter and bits fall out
everywhere
when you start to open up the diverter block G
Good luck!


Thanks - sorry for not responding sooner but my ISP's news server hasn't
replicated any new articles for the past two days (I did see them from a
free - ie no post permissions - server that I use but couldn't respond).

What I'm seeing after further investigation is no voltage at the pump
when
the heating should be on. I would have thought that the first thing that
gets fired up when switching the heating on is the pump, and the boiler
then
kicks into action from a flow sensor on the heating circuit - ie
fail-safe
in case of problems with the pump. Perhaps this is not the case though.

Why would you suspect the diaphragm assembly? (just curious as to the
diagnosis)


Based on the build up period where you had to run more and more "hot" flow
to get the boiler to start. I'm guessing the diverter assembly has now
stuck
in a mid to hot water only position. Only a guess from afar at this
juncture
I'm afraid. Of course it might be something else entirely but then again
you
could have two simultaneous faults :-(
Personally I'm not at all impressed by the model you have. Lets hope the
latest output currently being promoted from this manufacturer is built of
sterner stuff



OK, thanks, that sounds reasonable.

No, I'm not particularly impressed with this model, but it is now quite
old - I am guessing 10 to 12 years, could be more.

Replacement is on the cards, but I have now got a service call booked (the
thing burst into action again last night) with a heating engineer, so
hopefully it will last for a couple of months until I can get the cash
together for something rather better.

Vaillant and Wocester-Bosch condersers look most likely at the moment.....


--
Richard Sampson

email me at
richard at olifant d-ot co do-t uk