Baxi Solo 50 Ignition problem

by **zambo** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 9:06 pm

I have a spark and pilot is lit, but main burner does not ignite. If I partially cover the flu on the outside wall for 1-2 seconds, the boiler fires up. I realise that this is not a recommended action, but it is the only way I can get the boiler to light.

This problem has now foxed 7 CORGIs. The boiler has been regularly serviced, the last time just a few days ago. The pipes have been vacuumed and the pilot cleaned, and it always works OK for a short while after the service. (It was fine for 10 months before this service in fact) I have had every part on this boiler replaced, but the problem still exists. looking at it from a laymens angle it seems that there is either not enough gas coming through, or too much air, but why would it work OK for a period of time?

I'm not keen on going for a new boiler in case it's a supply problem that would occur anyway. One CORGi suggsted it could be debris coming from my caste iron gas pipe, but there is a filter I believe.

Anyone got any ideas? Cheers in advance

by **Steve the gas** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 4:51 am

Hi,

Does the fan run freely - without struggling?

by **zambo** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 12:29 pm

[quote="Steve the gas"]Hi,

Does the fan run freely - without struggling?[/quote]

Hi Steve, yes the fan is running fine. Boiler came on this morning, but it's just as likely to just keep on sparking tonight without igniting. Sometimes I can see the pilot flame through the view window and a spark, and other times just a spark. This is what makes me think that the pilot still has some dirt in it. Having said that the pilot assembly was replaced a while ago, and it still hapened almost straight away afterwards.

A couple of years ago a CORGI cleaned it with a pin (Baxi tell you not to) and it worked for ages after that without any problems.

by **zambo** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 12:20 pm

OK, folks, anyone know anything about the airflow differential switch. I assume that this comes on when the boiler does. Someone said that there could be a blockage in one of the pipes here. Anyone know where this area is located on the boiler.

Cheers

by **Steve the gas** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 3:32 pm

They are referring to the APS, and should not be messed with by none Corgi persons.The tubes or fan spigots could be blocked a little, but, I'm afraid still an RGI job.

by **zambo** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 11:15 am

[quote="Steve the gas"]They are referring to the APS, and should not be messed with by none Corgi persons.The tubes or fan spigots could be blocked a little, but, I'm afraid still an RGI job.[/quote]

Cheers Steve, I managed to get through to Baxi yesterday. They say it needs an engineer with a multimeter. They also agree that the fault seems to be linked to the APS and or venturi. I'm just a little nervous about CORGIs at the minute as I have has several look at this problem, and some have fitted parts I obviously haven't needed, like a gas valve, pilot assembly and HT lead. One even changed the pcb, and only put the old one back when I complained it made no difference.

by **Steve the gas** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 8:06 am

What area of the country are you in ?

by **zambo** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:51 pm

[quote="Steve the gas"]What area of the country are you in ?[/quote]

Not far from Portsmouth.

by **zambo** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 4:01 pm

[quote="zambo"][quote="Steve the gas"]They are referring to the APS, and should not be messed with by none Corgi persons.The tubes or fan spigots could be blocked a little, but, I'm afraid still an RGI job.[/quote]

Cheers Steve, I managed to get through to Baxi yesterday. They say it needs an engineer with a multimeter. They also agree that the fault seems to be linked to the APS and or venturi. I'm just a little nervous about CORGIs at the minute as I have has several look at this problem, and some have fitted parts I obviously haven't needed, like a gas valve, pilot assembly and HT lead. One even changed the pcb, and only put the old one back when I complained it made no difference.[/quote]

Still waiting for the 7th CORGI to have a bash at it. One has been back 6 times and another 4. In fact I'm getting fed up of CORGIs, can anyone recommend a good Alsation, I'm sure they would do a better job.

I'm having second thoughts about it being an air problem, because when the boiler is hot and goes off for a bit, the boiler on light flickers and when the temp drops, the boiler comes back on no problem. Also, when it was cold and trying to come on the other day, I tapped the side of it, and the pilot light seemed to get a bit bigger, and the boiler fired.

Still confused.

by **Steve the gas** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 8:09 am

Hi,

Has it been serviced? Sounds like pilot partially blocked prhaps, part changing only works by luck-- not good.
Look up Hinton Heating on the web, I know him and he knows what he's doing, he may take it on?

Hth

by **zambo** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:42 pm

[quote="Steve the gas"]Hi,

Has it been serviced? Sounds like pilot partially blocked prhaps, part changing only works by luck-- not good.
Look up Hinton Heating on the web, I know him and he knows what he's doing, he may take it on?

Hth[/quote]

I'm very grateful Steve. Many thanks

by **mlcinfl** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:49 pm

I've only just found your posting so you may already have things sorted.
It sounds to me like you may have a faulty spark electrode. There is probably a hairline crack in the ceramic shield and the control panel is not recognising that the pilot flame has been established.
This is often the fault when a Solo will operate properly from cold but begins to misbehave upon re-ignition after the stat shuts down.
Baxi solo's have always suffered from this problem. I would replace the spark electrode and HT lead.
Good luck.