I have a Potterton Flamingo which is nearly 18 years old. A couple of weeks
ago the overheat thermostat tripped causing the flame to go out. It took
many attempts to get the pilot light to relight but in the end I was
successful. The boiler has been fine until today when we noticed the house
was getting cold. Again the overheat thermostat has tripped but this time I
can't get the pilot light to light. The pump seems to be working fine as I
can feel and hear it humming. Any ideas or should I now buy a new boiler.

Out of Interest we had a radiator removed from the hall, a bedroom radiator
enlarged and an additional large radiator fed from that bedroom for a garage
conversion last March. This did cause the overheat thermostat to trip 24
hours later but the plumber said there was an airlock. The system has been
fine since that date and has not been adjusted for temperature.

Update.. Got the pilot light to light by holding in the pilot ingition for
around 30 seconds instead of the recomended 10-15 seconds. Still need to
know why the overheat thermostat has tripped twice in two weeks? Many
thanks

On 09/12/2007 18:28, informer wrote:

Still need to
know why the overheat thermostat has tripped twice in two weeks?

lack of pump-overrun or failed fan?

"Andy Burns" wrote in message
...
On 09/12/2007 18:28, informer wrote:

Still need to
know why the overheat thermostat has tripped twice in two weeks?

lack of pump-overrun or failed fan?

Do you mean does the pump carry on running after the boiler shuts down? I
guess the answer is no but the pump never overruns since we turned down the
boilers thermostat years ago. As for a fan I don't think it has a fan.
Can't see any mention of a fan in the handbook

On 09/12/2007 19:05, informer wrote:

Do you mean does the pump carry on running after the boiler shuts down?

yes, some are intended to do that.

On Sun, 09 Dec 2007 19:05:26 +0000, informer wrote:

"Andy Burns" wrote in message
...
On 09/12/2007 18:28, informer wrote:

Still need to
know why the overheat thermostat has tripped twice in two weeks?

lack of pump-overrun or failed fan?

Do you mean does the pump carry on running after the boiler shuts down?
I guess the answer is no but the pump never overruns since we turned
down the boilers thermostat years ago. As for a fan I don't think it
has a fan. Can't see any mention of a fan in the handbook

This is a really low tech boiler. No pump overrun and no fans.
You could have a pump problem, a circulation problem or an air-lock.
You might have a gas valve that is sticking in the on position?
You might have a failing thermostat.

IIRC this model simply has a normally closed contact in series with the
thermocouple circuit.

Your current thermocouple may be on its way out. In fact what makes you
so sure the pilot dropping out is over heating? It might be any number of
problems with the t/c or the pilot flame.



--
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

On Sun, 09 Dec 2007 20:02:51 +0000, Ed Sirett wrote:

Your current thermocouple may be on its way out. In fact what makes you
so sure the pilot dropping out is over heating?

Presumably because the overheat cutout has operated?!

It might be any number of problems with the t/c or the pilot flame.


--
John Stumbles

I used to be forgetful but now I ... um ....

On Sun, 09 Dec 2007 21:06:11 +0000, John Stumbles wrote:

On Sun, 09 Dec 2007 20:02:51 +0000, Ed Sirett wrote:

Your current thermocouple may be on its way out. In fact what makes you
so sure the pilot dropping out is over heating?

Presumably because the overheat cutout has operated?!

There is no way in principle to tell whether the pilot went out becasue
the boiler over heated or because the t/c is on the blink.

hence:
It might be any number of problems with the t/c or the pilot flame.




--
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