My Ideal (the irony of the name never fails to amuse people) Classic FF330 Boiler has always been delicate but its latest breakdown has the plumber and their own rather condescending helpline stumped. It lights when first turned on but never warms up properly, then after about 10 minutes or less the burner goes out with a click but the fan stays on. The fan , in fact, never stops if the boiler is turned on, but the burner only comes on intermittently, makes the radiators tepid then goes out. There is a constant clicking noise as it tries to light again but it never does until the radiators have been cold for a while.

The Ideal No-Flipping-Helpline insisted it was the gas valve which was replaced at no small cost, and made no difference at all to the problem. Although apparently there was a minor improvement in the gas supply. Now they want him to replace the ignition electrode even though he says it seems fine. I suspect they will just keep telling him to replace expensive parts till the whole thing is new. It is only 5 years old in the first place so I object to the plumber's suggestion that we replace it at a cost of a grand or more depending on my choice of boiler.

A friend and next door's plumber have now both suggested a powerflush for gunk removal but I can't see why that would cause the problem in the boiler. Help- it's still freezing in my corner of County Durham...!

anyanka,

Is there enough pressure in the boiler?

The ignition sounds to work fine if it ignites the boiler initially.

On the basis that it only seems to work again once the radiators have cooled has the thermostat been checked?

Are the radiators clear of any air? It might be worth walking round and opening the valves to check that they are full of water and there is no air in the system.

I know all this sounds very basic but just want to make sure you've checked everything.

Scott,

The plumber has just been back to fit the ignition electrode neither of us thought was the problem. It wasn't. No change at all. He did say though that it wasn't the gas valve he replaced but the air pressure switch, so I assume that would mean there is enough pressure?

The "Helpline" now want him to do the PCB which I've just bought off the net because it was 40 quid cheaper than the local plumbers merchants! The thermostat has been checked but not replaced yet-no doubt that will be the next suggestion. And amazingly the radiators are clear of air- I say amazingly because the bathroom one has needed bleeding every month since the house was built. I do wonder about sludge because they were cold at the bottom before this all happened but the plumber put inhibitor in last time he serviced it so it shouldn't be that either.

Thank you for your reply,

Anyanka