I had the exact same problem with my Boiler, the problem is the
divertor valve (which diverts hot water into the heat exchanger away from radiator circuit) which then in turn heats the mains water passing through it.A divertor valve is around
£50 but the main fault could be repaired by either of the following depending on further investigation.(approx £ 100 fitted)(if you are not going to fix this will help estimate cost so you don’t get ripped off when they say you have to buy a new valve)
NOTE –for some ‘qualified’ plumbers it may be cheaper/quicker to let them change the lot
As they should really be working in a call centre!!
The divertor is a brass casting with several water pipes coming out of it with a circular brass cover which has around ten 10 to 12 screws holding it on(picture available on google images)
(Giannoni diverter on SIME combi,s)
(your plumber/ gas engineer(in UK) needs to carry out the following straight forward steps)
On top of the diverter valve is a black box, get someone to turn on the hot tap & listen for the clicking of the microswitch, if it does not click remove the top half of the black cover(isolate electricity first) if you swivel the black box so you can view the back, you will see a metal pin with a round flat plastic plate on its about the size of a old ½ pence piece(decimal)this is underneath a microswitch .Try the hot tap again whilst watching to see if the metal pin with plate on it move enough to make the switch click, ie presses it.
If you then check the switch (in situ) by pressing momentarilly the switch with a insulated implement (don’t dislodge the plastic plate on the pin,which could get lost in the boiler pipework) If you hear the boiler ignite then the switch is fine if it does not remove the switch & take it to Maplin electronics /RS components for a replacement which is roughly wait for it
£1.30.
If the boiler did light when switch operated then the problem is usually the Diaphragm (ie Diaphragm is not pushing microswitch because it is punctured.(giannoni Diapragm picture on Google for SIME usually)(boiler must be lighted & electricity on for test) The diaphragm is inside the diverter valve under the cover held on with 10 to 12 screws.This requires you to drain the system first & turn off water supply.If there is adequate clearance you may be able to leave the valve in place whilst you unscrew top (may require cranked screwdriver)(if you do remove valve ensure you have replacement fibre washers for reassembly)
First remove the microswitch assembly which is held with a circlip in a groove in the div valve body around where the plunger rises & falls.(don’t drop circlip) lever out with a screwdriver on the tab at the back or pull the tab with long nose pliers.then lift microswitch off the plunger (no need to unplug wires) .
Now you can remove the lid by undoing the 10 screws (have old rags etc ready to catch water residue).lift off lid carefully, inside attached to the metal pin/plunger is a round black rubber diaphragm with springs etc attached (note where large loose spring is fitted for reassembly) now remove rubber diaphragm complete (just pulls out) with metal shaft.
Check for holes if it is damaged take it to a plumbers merchants/ or order online etc you will need diverter valve brand etc there you buy a diaphragm kit for £10- £20 .(also check the brass mesh in the water inlet is not blocked with silt, )Then reassemble & ensure that when re presurrised with no leaks that when the hot tap is on the micro switch is pushed by the plunger which in turn lights the boiler main burner.
Note most people should not attempt this unless they are mechanically minded & don’t work in a call centre etc as serious injury could result(explosion etc) if you disassemble the wrong parts ie gas valve etc or you could end up with a bigger bill if a dishonest emergency plumber is called when you get stuck or end up with no water or worse still could lead to serious deafness caused by your other half .
NOTE 2 If you work in a call centre & fix the above problem yourself get on a gas plumbers training course straight away !
RS
March 2006