Jenny,

You don't say if the boiler is new or under guarantee? If its not then I think your legal rights are probably limited. As you moved in I am also assuming that you didn't buy it in the first place.If you can show that the problem is an inherent one and the goods are not fit for purpose then you may have some chance.

In all fairness,Potterton seem to be at least looking it to the problem FOC at this stage.

I sympathise with you, if you put," potterton suprima 120 boiler " into Google, it returns such a large amount of damning evidence from loads of individuals having problems with lockouts that you are having, caused by a faulty PCB, that they all can't be just a one off problem, including the 120 model.

Goodwill gesture is Potterton's way of offering to fix it without admitting liability, there is mention of a re-designed new improved PCB being made, I would try and insist they use this new board when they have to fit another in your boiler.

Yes,

Even if you are out of guarantee,you can still win in law.I got Curry's to accept liability over a Washing machine that had a design fault in it.The sort of evidence that CK has referred to will definately strengthen your case.

Not sure where you stand though if you weren't the original purchaser !!

Thanks for your responses :-)

Unfortunately I'm not the original purchaser. The boiler was put in when the house was built about 7 and a half years ago. I think I'll insist on the new PCB like you say. We thought we had it sorted with the original engineer and the new PCB would have cost around £300, I think. I may be wrong though. Seems ridiculous to pay it when it's an obvious design fault and so many others are having the problems.

Hi Lingham

 
Do Potterton still send engineers out as a gesture-of-goodwill with regard to this problem. We have a Puma 80e boiler inherited when we bought the flat last year and from the service history can see that the PCB has been replaced three times in the past 10 or so years. I appreciated this is a different boiler to the one detailed in Watchdog etc but I assume as it is the same lockout issue that they must share the same PCB.

Since this years service I have had lockout problems with my 4 year old Promax 15HE.  Problem only occurs if the boiler has been on for an hour or so with central heating.  It never occurs when heating just the HW.  Presumably because  the temperature of the HW is lower than the setpoint and the cylinder thermostat turns it off before the setpoint is reached.

 My Corgi installer/maintainer has almost given up.  He has swapped control and ignition PCBs, and fitted a new igniter probe and tells me he has re-sealed the combustion box door but this morning it failed to come on mid morning to reheat the hot water after it's early morning stint at heating the house.   Until this years service it has worked faultlessly since installation in July 2003.   During this process (three weeks) we also experienced explosive ignitions. Could this have caused internal damage?

Any suggestions welcome 

Can I ask a question.  I am experiencing the "Watchdog" problems - but when I phoned Potterton, they said I didn't have a Standard Efficiency boiler as featured on Watchdog, therefore I wasn't covered.  I have a Suprima 120.  It came in a new build house that I bought almost three years ago.  Is there anyway that Potterton will assist without me paying the £220??

Thanks in advance!

lingham:Just like to say I work for Potterton on the team dealing with these enquiries so I know all about them if you wanna ask anything?

...lol. You can ask anything you want. Just don't hold your breath for an answer <lingham gets off...>

I was hoping your particiaption in this website was to be helpful - was I wrong?

Brackan - Sorry I can't help with your enquiry as boilers are not something I know a great deal about (naff all, in fact). However, you will notice that I had quoted lingham and not replied to your post specifically.

Please don't take it that I am making light of your unfortunate situation. I was merely highlighting the irony in that someone who was dealing with these Potterton boiler issues was here, told people to ask him questions, then disappeared. (uncanny that this happened).

I like to think that although not an expert, I make some valuable contributions and observations on this site. There are others who may agree or disagree but that's what it's all about - discussion.

JJ

Thanks and sorry - I got confused, I thought it was lingham replying to me. 

 All the best

Thats ok Brackan. Hope you manage to get your boiler sorted...

JJ