Worcester Bosch 24i - Filling Loop left on

[dodd4721]

Hi, had a problem with a dripping Kitchen tap and fitted a new one; never had central heating before and just had a new central heating system installed with a Worcester Bosch 24i Boiler. Incorrectly and stupidly left filling loop tap on when fitting the tap [thought it was hot water supply stopcock] got totally confused about correct position and must have left it on instead of off. This morning Boiler pressure was zero, hot water was pumping out of outside wall condensing pipe and Boiler making faint noise.
I rang the Installers but due to weather could not get out to me, turned everything off as per their instructions over the telephone - will I have ruined the Boiler? would anything have broken? worried sick! Aaaaaargh!

[gas man]

you may have wrecked the prv,in the meantime pressure up to 1 bar via the filling loop make sure the valve is off(the lever will be across the valve) check the out side pipe if its stopped running put the boiler back on,if its still running you can use the boiler but monitor the pressure your installers should have told you this not fair to expect you not to have heat this weather

[dodd4721]

thanks for getting back to me Gas man, I've still got my electric oil filled radiators so I'm using them instead, not at all sure what I'm doing so will leave everything off, the company that fitted it was Domestic & General in Wolverhampton, when I rang them today they said because of the weather they were only getting to 30% of their jobs, they said someone may be out tomorrow if they can get to me. Out of interest what is a PRV? sounds expensive? eek!

[dodd4721]

it's ok - PRV; pressure releif valve! still sounds expensive though and if the Fitters don't carry any in stock then I guess I would have to wait for them to order one? As it was my fault I would imagine I would be liable for the cost of fitting a new one, blimey! I've only had it a week!

[villa_tom]

PRV = Pressure relief valve, it activates when too much pressure is inside the system and would have opened if you left the filling loop open. Price depends on boiler really but as a ball park figure your probably looking between £15-£20 quid for the part plus labour. But if you boiler is brand new and has been registered then it will still be under warranty and should be fixed FOC. Have you tried ringing the manufacturers????

[villa_tom]

Also, just to add, the PRV on this boiler is a ballache to change and is right at the back of the boiler. It was discussed on here the other day actually, can be quite a nightmare of a job to be honest. I'd still try the manufacturers though as it would be a free breakdown

[gas man]

out of interest tom can the head only on the prv be replaced? or is it still difficult to get to

[villa_tom]

I think you can just change the head although I have never tried. But to be fair its an awkard job to do either way. If i remember correctly the prv is directley behind the pump so you'd propably end up taking the hydro block out just to change the head anyway so I've always just changed the complete valve. I don't think WB thought of us very much when they designed this did they?

[gas man]

thats the case on most of there boilers

[villa_tom]

Spot on. Been working on the vaillants lately and although I have never changed and parts yet (just frozen condense's) they pretty easy to work on when it comes to part replacement. Even those graphite seals you have to fit are a piece of cake.

[gas man]

thats why i like the performas and duotecs every things easy to change, a recupirater on the performa takes 20 mins to change on a ravenheat (tat) it writes the boiler off

[villa_tom]

Been working for connaught (before they went bump) for three years in social housing so all I have worked on is WB's. Haven't worked on either of those boilers yet, seen them in magazines etc but not worked on them. Seen loads more boilers since I've had my own GS and been contracting and find most are easier to work on then WB

[gas man]

prv on the performa or duotec @10 mins after draining

[dodd4721]

Hi Tom, if the PRV needs to be replaced how long would it take to replace it given that it's a WB Boiler?

[villa_tom]

Probably take an hour to an hour and half depends on the person doing it really, when I have had to do them I've always done them with a mate of mine and took the boiler off the wall to do it. But you can do it without taking it off the wall but if you don't take it off the wall you have to undo loads of water connections and replace loads of washers and are more prone to leaks once the job is complete. Either way its a very difficult and awkward job, but providing its done well your boiler will be up and running within a couple of hours. Plus most merchants have the parts on the shelf so you probably won't be waiting on parts to arrive. But I would seriously phone the manufacturers as your boiler will be in warranty and will be fixed for free -just don't tell them you left the filling loop open. When the firm who fit it come round to have a look they will probably phone WB for you.

tom