Hi, I have a Saunier Duval Xeon 50ff boiler, about 5 years old, never
been properly serviced but I clean it out myself. It has just started
taking a few seconds to light, having to spark a number of times.
However, weird thing is that it keeps redoing the ignition sequence
about every 30 seconds, it remains lit and works, but you get the
irritating noise of it constantly relighting. Now, the spark electrode
is worn down so that the gap between it and the burner is at least
double what it's supposed to be i.e. 7-8mm instead of 2-4mm. Don't
know whether it requires a simple replacement of the electrode?
What do you think might be the problem? Thanks.

On Fri, 22 Dec 2006 07:16:36 -0800, russell_nash wrote:

Hi, I have a Saunier Duval Xeon 50ff boiler, about 5 years old, never
been properly serviced but I clean it out myself. It has just started
taking a few seconds to light, having to spark a number of times.
However, weird thing is that it keeps redoing the ignition sequence
about every 30 seconds, it remains lit and works, but you get the
irritating noise of it constantly relighting. Now, the spark electrode
is worn down so that the gap between it and the burner is at least
double what it's supposed to be i.e. 7-8mm instead of 2-4mm. Don't
know whether it requires a simple replacement of the electrode?
What do you think might be the problem? Thanks.

It is possible that the spark electrode is also the flame sense electrode,
so get that put right first. You have some sort of flame sensor failure
which is more likely to be its lead or electrode than anything else.

--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html
Choosing a Boiler FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/BoilerChoice.html
Gas Fitting Standards Docs he http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFittingStandards

Thanks a lot Ed, I will follow your advice and try to get a new
electrode, which will be easy to fit and bit cheaper than a circuit
board. :-)


Ed Sirett wrote:

On Fri, 22 Dec 2006 07:16:36 -0800, russell_nash wrote:

Hi, I have a Saunier Duval Xeon 50ff boiler, about 5 years old, never
been properly serviced but I clean it out myself. It has just started
taking a few seconds to light, having to spark a number of times.
However, weird thing is that it keeps redoing the ignition sequence
about every 30 seconds, it remains lit and works, but you get the
irritating noise of it constantly relighting. Now, the spark electrode
is worn down so that the gap between it and the burner is at least
double what it's supposed to be i.e. 7-8mm instead of 2-4mm. Don't
know whether it requires a simple replacement of the electrode?
What do you think might be the problem? Thanks.

It is possible that the spark electrode is also the flame sense electrode,
so get that put right first. You have some sort of flame sensor failure
which is more likely to be its lead or electrode than anything else.

--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html
Choosing a Boiler FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/BoilerChoice.html
Gas Fitting Standards Docs he http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFittingStandards

Ok, I replaced the electrode, everything seems fine now. Thanks.


russell_nash wrote:

Thanks a lot Ed, I will follow your advice and try to get a new
electrode, which will be easy to fit and bit cheaper than a circuit
board. :-)


Ed Sirett wrote:

On Fri, 22 Dec 2006 07:16:36 -0800, russell_nash wrote:

Hi, I have a Saunier Duval Xeon 50ff boiler, about 5 years old, never
been properly serviced but I clean it out myself. It has just started
taking a few seconds to light, having to spark a number of times.
However, weird thing is that it keeps redoing the ignition sequence
about every 30 seconds, it remains lit and works, but you get the
irritating noise of it constantly relighting. Now, the spark electrode
is worn down so that the gap between it and the burner is at least
double what it's supposed to be i.e. 7-8mm instead of 2-4mm. Don't
know whether it requires a simple replacement of the electrode?
What do you think might be the problem? Thanks.

It is possible that the spark electrode is also the flame sense electrode,
so get that put right first. You have some sort of flame sensor failure
which is more likely to be its lead or electrode than anything else.

--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html
Choosing a Boiler FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/BoilerChoice.html
Gas Fitting Standards Docs he http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFittingStandards