Baxi Ecoblue Advance Boiler Repair in Grimsby

Appliance Details

• Job Type: Boiler Repair
• Manufacturer: Baxi
• Model: Ecoblue Advance
• GC Number: 47-075-88

Findings & Diagnostics

Reported/Observed Symptom:
Diagnostic Report for Baxi Ecoblue boiler breakdown in Grimsby DN33.

Customer reported no heating or hot water. Said they woke up to find all electrics in home off and main fuse board tripped. After reset, only appliance which didn't restart / "come back on" was the boiler.

Boiler would not switch on, therefore no visible display on the control panel.

Fault Code: None

Diagnosis/Notes:
Went through the repair in logical order:

1. Test the fused spur. 230V was available. Fuse tested OK.
2. Checked for 230V at the terminal block and everything tested fine. Wiring to the boiler is OK.
3. Test for 230V at PCB X10 connectors. No voltage detected. Internal ceramic fuse had blown, so replaced and tested.

This is where the repair became unusual. Straight after restarting the boiler, it blew the 3A fused spur. Traced all wiring and found the thermostat receiver shoved behind some pipework boxing underneath the boiler. Pulled it out and noticed the wall looked slightly wet / glistening under torch light. Because the boiler wasn't starting / control panel not lighting up, had focused my attention straight onto electrics. Inspected the boilers interior and noticed the AAV had been leaking / limescale around valve.

Changed 3A fused spur, now the boiler restarted. Have to presume the thermostat receiver had been getting wet, dangling within the pipework boxing under the boiler.

First thing which I tested was the heating system. Boiler pressure immediately went from 1 bar to ~2bar, so now had to isolate and drain the boiler.

Checked the expansion vessel, which had lost it's charge / 0 bar pressure - so recharged it. After disconnecting the pump, could audibly hear the Schrader valve passing air - therefore this boiler also needs a new Schrader valve.

Reassembled and tested. Boiler is now operational / FGA reading within guidelines.

Resolution

• Outcome: Repaired
• Parts Replaced: Schrader valve / automatic air valve / ceramic fuse / 3A fuse.

Additional Comments

This Baxi Ecoblue breakdown caused a sequence of problems, but I suspect the root cause was a flat expansion vessel.

Water expands during heating. If a system holds 100 litres and when the central heating reaches ~80°C, the water expands ~5%. Suddenly the central heating system has 105 litres crammed into just enough space for 100 litres. This excess pressure causes "wear and tear" on your whole heating system. Whilst your boiler does have a **pressure release valve** (PRV) to vent the excess pressure outside the property, I also suspect this higher pressure level has caused the AAV to leak. The water from the AAV then trickled out the back of the boiler, down the wall and onto the thermostat receiver, tripping the electrics.

Managed to get the customers central heating / hot water system operational same day. Have arranged a follow-up visit in a couple of days.