Alas, I've only just seen this query. However, I strongly suspect you will have replaced your ignition electrode by now and, in so doing, parted with yet more of the contents of your wallet.
The electrical leads to such electrodes have an inherent tendency for 'tracking' i.e. sparking elsewhere than where required, after residing for some time in one's dear old hot boiler.
The tendency for tracking in this situation is basically due to the high voltage, passed through such leads when attempting ignition, causing the current to take the easiest path possible and resulting in ignition lockout whenever the gas fails to ignite within the designed 'time slot'.
Easier paths are presented in the leads when ch boiler designers, in their wisdom, under-design in terms of the heat and insulation specs for such leads.
This design principal, no doubt, ensures a secure work load for 'service engineers' and steady profit margins for boiler manufacturers.
But we, ignorant, consumers don't mind that. And, as it is for so many things in this life, it wouldn't matter if we did.
Would it?
Billy Bigelow
July 2009
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