DIY gas boiler repair

In detail: do-it-yourself repair of a Daewoo gas boiler from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

A modern gas boiler is a complex device consisting of both mechanical elements and electronic equipment. Therefore, not in all cases can you figure out how to repair a gas boiler yourself.

However, if an element that is not directly related to the gas supply breaks down, then with minimal skills, it is possible to eliminate the malfunction without calling a specialist. How to do this is described in detail in the article.

A typical gas boiler consists of many elements, which can basically be grouped into 3 groups:

Burner.
Blocks providing safety.
A heat exchange unit equipped with several additional devices, which include a fan, a circulation pump and many others.

The structure of this mechanism can be simplified as follows.

But if you detail the picture, you can find about 2 dozen different elements in the device.

The main danger during repairs is a possible gas leak. This can happen due to improper repair, dismantling or installation of equipment that is associated with the fuel supply.

Therefore, it is better to entrust the repair of these parts of the structure to a specialist. Also, do not troubleshoot the electronic equipment of gas boilers on your own. Automation is a specific device, therefore, without appropriate qualifications, it is almost impossible to correctly carry out restoration work and repair such equipment yourself.

All other elements can be repaired by yourself, for example:

Video (click to play).

Heat exchanger flushing performed manually (for this, the unit is dismantled, after which it must be correctly put in place). It is possible to carry out these works without dismantling - using pumps.
Chimney cleaning will be needed in cases where there is a problem with traction (mechanical or chemical removal of blockages is performed).
Fan repair pressurization by lubricating its bearings with technical oil.

In fact, it is possible to repair a gas boiler on your own only in those cases when it comes to mechanical damage or blockages that can be easily identified visually (or by smell).

The rest of the breakdowns are considered more serious, therefore they are eliminated with the help of a specialist, and not with your own hands.

Before figuring out how to repair a gas boiler with your own hands, it is useful to understand exactly why malfunctions occur. Correct understanding of the reasons will help to avoid the problem in the future. Practice shows that 4 harmful factors are most often affected:

Electricity drops - this problem is especially relevant in remote settlements and villages. Modern equipment is necessarily equipped with stabilizers, as well as energy storage devices, which ensure the operation of the device for a short time even after the source is turned off. Therefore, if there are no such devices, you should purchase them in advance.

Poor quality water - this problem arises in cases where the equipment is used not only for heating, but also for obtaining hot water for domestic purposes (double-circuit gas boiler). The equipment is not damaged by the water itself, but by the presence of salts in it, which increase the hardness. If the concentration of these insoluble substances is high enough, it can lead to equipment wear in as little as 1-2 seasons. Therefore, it is necessary to take care of the installation of filters that purify water.

Installation errors can lead to rather serious consequences, including fatal breakdowns, failure of all equipment. Therefore, this work can only be entrusted to qualified specialists.
Finally, a role can also be played by frosty winters... Usually, during such a period, the neighbors turn on the equipment at full capacity, and in this mode it works for a long time. As a result, the pressure in the gas pipeline system drops significantly, and the boilers begin to work largely in vain. At this point, you can use equipment that runs on a different fuel (for example, diesel). It makes sense to purchase it if the region has long, harsh winters.

If you are not sure what is faulty, it is strictly forbidden to start repairing the gas boiler yourself, as this carries a potential hazard. Correct diagnostics is the most important requirement for work, especially if they are carried out independently.

In modern devices, breakdowns are diagnosed by electronic systems (sensors) that show the temperature and other important indicators. If a serious malfunction is detected, the system simply turns off the gas boiler in order to avoid unwanted, dangerous consequences.

In other cases, it is possible to detect a breakdown on your own only with the help of the senses:

visually;
by smell (gas leak);
by the sound of the equipment;
to the touch.

First of all, you need to refer to the instructions. Even if the original version is lost, it can be easily restored by downloading the desired brochure from open Internet sources. Almost all instructions have a section and cards describing the most common malfunctions, as well as ways to diagnose and eliminate them.

Such short tutorials describe in detail what signals the automatic display system gives in case of certain malfunctions:

blinking of lamps in a certain mode (fast, slow) and in a certain color (red, yellow, green);
continuous burning of a light bulb;
the display shows a specific error code (usually a two-digit number).

Even if repaired on one's own the gas boiler does not work, you still need to print the instructions specifically for this model. A specialist called at home should also familiarize himself with the features of the mechanism, including with the help of a brochure from the manufacturer.

The most common breakdowns of a gas boiler are described in the table.

Modern gas boilers are quite sophisticated technological equipment. With proper care and proper handling, the gas boiler will serve for a long time without any interruptions. However, even the most expensive and functional equipment has its own resource, after the exhaustion of which all sorts of malfunctions begin to appear.

DIY gas boiler repair

Knowing the main causes of malfunctions and the procedure for eliminating them, you can repair your gas boiler with your own hands. This is a very painstaking, responsible, but in most cases relatively easy job.

Contents of step-by-step instructions:

First of all, it is necessary to establish why any malfunctions may occur in the operation of gas heating boilers. A number of different factors can lead to problems.

Modern gas boilers are equipped with various automation equipment. These funds, in turn, are powered by electricity. And, despite the fact that the 21st century is already in the yard and systems for the use of alternative energy sources are being actively developed around the world, the problem of stability of power grids remains relevant for many regions, especially for remote villages and all kinds of summer cottages.

A sudden power outage or a strong surge in electricity is one of the main enemies of any modern gas boiler.

To avoid all the accompanying troubles, buy a quality stabilizer in advance. Do not spare money to buy this device - there is little sense from cheap models, so it is better to immediately allocate funds to purchase a good stabilizer from a well-known manufacturer. Be sure that in the event of a breakdown of the automation, you will spend much more money on its repair and replacement.

At home, wall-mounted models of gas boilers are often used. Such devices are simultaneously responsible for both space heating and hot water preparation.

The design of wall-hung boilers includes a flow-through heat exchanger. Low-quality hard water with various impurities is the main enemy of the heat exchanger of a gas boiler. At the same time, under the influence of low-quality water, the heat exchanger can fail in just one season.

Install special filters to prevent such damage. The best option is a complete water purification system. With it, your boiler will work as long as possible, and using purified water is much safer for health.

Any knowledgeable person will tell you: only qualified specialists should be engaged in the installation and piping of gas heating equipment.

Even the slightest mistakes at the stages of installation and connection of equipment can lead to irreversible consequences. For example, an incorrectly executed piping in the case of a cast-iron gas boiler more powerful than 50 kW will lead to the fact that the unit will simply split at low temperatures.

If you are not an experienced gas operator, entrust the boiler installation to professionals.

Therefore, if you are not an experienced gas operator, entrust the installation of the boiler to professionals - this way you will save yourself from many problems in the future.

Unfavorable weather conditions can also lead to the appearance of many different problems. In frosty winters, people turn on the heating at almost full capacity. This leads to a significant decrease in pressure in the gas pipeline system. As a result, boilers cannot fully realize their potential.

You will not be able to solve this problem on your own - you still cannot explain to your neighbors that by their actions they only aggravate the situation. As a solution to the problem, you can install an additional boiler that runs on a different fuel.

Automatic solid fuel coal-fired boiler with hopper

A modern gas boiler is a complex and potentially dangerous system. The main danger of such units is the risk of a gas explosion in the event of improper handling of the equipment or untimely elimination of various malfunctions.

Various kinds of automation are responsible for maintaining the operation of the gas boiler at an optimal level. An inexperienced user is often unable to understand its device. Therefore, it is better to immediately invite specialists to troubleshoot serious problems.

On your own, you can try to eliminate only visible damage and various contaminants that have led to the failure of the pipe, chimney and other parts of the boiler.

Typical malfunctions of gas boilers

There are a number of typical problems that you can fix yourself in most cases. Problems will also be listed, in the event of which you can only protect yourself before the arrival of a specialist.

If a distinct smell of gas or smoke appears in the room, immediately turn off the boiler and leave the room, opening it for ventilation.

Gas boiler functionality diagram

Call a professional immediately. Trying to solve the gas leak problem on your own without the necessary skills is extremely dangerous and unreasonable.

If the flame sensor or the gas supply pipe breaks down, turn off the boiler, close all gas valves and let the unit cool down completely.

Return to the area after a while to check for the smell of gas. If everything is in order with the draft, try to turn on the boiler again. If there is no thrust, immediately call a repairman.

Overheating is one of the most common problems in modern gas boilers. The reason for this may be a malfunction of the automation equipment or a clogged heat exchanger.

It is impossible to cope with the repair of automation without the appropriate knowledge.

You can also clean the heat exchanger with your own hands. The most common materials for the manufacture of heat exchangers are copper and stainless steel. There is usually no problem cleaning them, but be extremely careful anyway.

Primary heat exchanger for wall mounted gas boiler Beretta

According to the recommendations of the manufacturers, the heat exchangers must be cleaned of soot every few years (each manufacturer indicates a specific interval in the instructions for their equipment).

Primary heat exchanger (heating circuit) of the gas boiler Rinnai SMF

To clean the heat exchanger, simply remove it and clean it thoroughly with a metal brush. In the case of a copper heat exchanger, it is best to replace the brush with a metal sponge used for washing dishes.

The problematic place of fans is their bearings. If the fan of your boiler stops developing the set number of revolutions, try to eliminate the problem as soon as possible.

Fan (3311806000) for Daewoo gas boiler

To do this, remove the back of the fan, take out the stator and lubricate the bearings. Machine oil is fine for lubrication, but it is best to use a higher quality carbon compound with heat-resistant properties if possible.

Fan RLA97 (Aa10020004) for gas boiler Electrolux

Also, an interturn short circuit can lead to problems with the fan. Only a specialist can cope with the elimination of this malfunction. Return the stator for repair to replace the winding, or immediately replace the faulty unit with a new device.

Gas boiler chimney diagram

Often, excessive clogging of the coaxial chimney leads to the appearance of various malfunctions in the operation of a gas heating boiler.

Remove the chimney and thoroughly clean all of its components from soot. So you will not only return the previous level of efficiency of the unit, but also significantly increase the efficiency of the boiler.

The boiler can shut down spontaneously for several reasons. This usually happens due to a malfunction of the combustion sensor. This problem, in turn, most often leads to contamination of the gas pipe.

Draft sensor 87 ° C for Thermona boiler

Remove the branch pipe, rinse it thoroughly with water, clean it with a cotton swab and blow it off the remaining moisture. Put the pipe back in place and try to turn on the boiler. If it doesn't help, call the wizard.

No wonder they say: the best repair is prevention. Gas boilers require annual preventive maintenance, which must be carried out before the start of the heating season.

Whenever possible, maintenance should be carried out twice a year, before and after the heating season.

Check all the previously discussed boiler elements for their serviceability. Follow the preventive maintenance recommendations given by the manufacturer in the instructions specific to your boiler. Eliminate any malfunctions that arise in time, if possible.

Remember! A gas boiler is a potentially hazardous equipment. Incorrect use and untimely troubleshooting can lead to irreparable consequences. Therefore, be careful and do not engage in any repair work if you doubt your ability and correctness of action. Otherwise, follow the instructions provided.

According to safety rules, the repair of all equipment dangerous in operation, which includes gas heating units, must be carried out by specially trained qualified specialists. However, in remote areas, the arrival of a specialized repair team can be expected for a very long time. Therefore, in case of emergency, if the matter does not concern automation and the gas pipe, you can do it yourself and repair the gas boiler yourself.

Modern gas heating systems are complex systems. Control of their work is carried out using a whole range of automatic devices, which must be familiarized with before starting an independent repair of gas boilers.

The main elements of the security group:

Draft sensors designed for 75 0 C. This device makes it possible to monitor the state of the chimney. If the normal flue gas discharge fails, the temperature rises and the sensor is triggered. Optimally, in addition to the traction sensor, a gas alarm is acquired.
The monostat protects turbocharged gas units from impaired removal of combustion products due to a clogged chimney or heat exchanger.
The limit thermostat is designed to control the temperature of the heating medium in the heating system. When the water boils, the overheating sensor turns off the device.
When the flame is detected, the flame control electrode switches off the operation of the heating unit.
A blast valve is used to control pressure. With an increase in pressure above the critical value, a portioned discharge of excess coolant occurs.

Attention! The wear of the stuffing box leads to a constant flow of the coolant from the valve. The remedy is to replace the valve.

Various components of the heating system can fail and for various reasons. It can be - low-quality parts, violation of the requirements for operation, sharp blows to the component parts of the unit.

The most common reason for the failure of volatile devices is a configuration failure. Do-it-yourself gas boiler repair should begin by checking that the settings are correctly installed and the presence of open contacts. When troubleshooting, the unit is set to the "Winter" mode and the setting is set to the maximum heating temperature.

If the pump does not work, then either you just need to replace the cable, or you will have to change the pump itself.

If the burner is not supplied with gas, then it is necessary to make sure that the gas valve is open, the gas line is not clogged, the voltage supply is in order. If the problem persists, after all these steps, you will most likely have to change the electronic board.

The shutdown of parapet boilers in severe frosts can be caused by the appearance of ice on the chimney. The formation of an ice crust is explained by the content of water vapor in the exhaust combustion products. As a result of freezing of ice build-up and obstruction of the exit of flue gases, the device is automatically turned off and attempts to turn it on again will be unsuccessful.Advice! In this case, the automation of the boiler equipment does not fail, and to resume the operation of the heating equipment, it is enough to remove the ice from the smoke grate. In order to avoid such stoppages of the units, it is necessary to periodically inspect the chimney in severe frosts.Do-it-yourself gas boiler repair is not always possible and only in cases of visible and simple malfunctions. Complex breakdowns can be corrected efficiently and reliably only by specialists with the necessary knowledge and equipment.

How to remove a gas burner. 1. Fixing the burner to the combustion chamber housing. 2. Wires for electrode igniter and flame sensor. 3. A branch pipe for supplying a gas-air mixture

Due to the wide variety of boiler models, it is impossible to give specific recommendations, but in any case, there will be:

a tube for supplying gas to the burner;
gas pressure sensor to the burner;
gas valve.

It is possible that there is a control tube from the draft sensor or electrical connection (wires) from the same draft sensor or temperature sensor. When using a burner of the same model as yours, remembering and connecting all the wires and tubes will not be difficult.

Replacing a horn burner installed in a wood-burning stove is even easier to cope with. We unscrew the screws of its fastening to the plate and two tubes: gas supply and gas supply to the igniter. We take out the old burner, insert a new one, screw on the tubes, tighten the burner mounting bolts.

It is not worth repairing the primitive automation of such a burner, the result may lead to unsafe operation of the boiler. The most difficult thing is to replace the burner of a wall-mounted gas boiler, stuffed with electronics and a large number of sensors. But do not panic here, the principle is the same: it is good to remember the location of all connections to the burner.

Trying to increase their importance, gas specialists say that such a burner should be "tied" to the boiler by flashing the electronic unit or by adjusting the boiler. The burner is just iron, which cannot be adjusted in any way. The settings may require combustion as such, but this is no longer relevant to the replacement of the burner itself. If the burner is made for the model of the boiler on which it is installed, then the combustion will be correct, however, provided that no attempt was made to regulate it on the old burner.

The need to replace the temperature sensor arises when, when setting a specific temperature mode of operation, the boiler either does not comply with it, or, even worse, goes into boiling mode, which can lead to rupture of the water jacket of the boiler or its heat exchanger.

Temperature sensors, according to the method of installation in the boiler, can be overhead and submersible. Clamp-on sensors are installed on the boiler pipes with clips that press the sensor against this pipe. Replacing them is very simple. Disconnect the old one - put the new one. We put the chip (electrical contact) in place of the old one.

Immersion sensors can be of two types: direct immersion and located in a well filled with oil. When replacing the first, it is necessary to drain the water from the boiler, unscrew the sensor. Pay attention to how the threads were sealed at the sensor mount. This can be simply a tapered thread, using a thread lock (adhesive), gaskets, or O-rings. Sealing with flax and other materials is not used. Install a new sensor using the same sealing method.

Video (click to play).

When replacing the sensors installed in the sleeves, there is no need to drain the water from the boiler. After loosening the fixing nut, pull out the sensor, check for the presence of oil in the sleeve, install a new sensor, fixing it with the nut. The simplest version of such a sensor is an alcohol thermometer installed in the sleeve for visual monitoring of the temperature in the boiler.