DIY gas column repair

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

Warranty and post-warranty repair of AEG, Electrolux, Zanussi gas water heaters.

Authorized service center AEG, Electrolux, Stiebel Eltron.

Service partnership with the federal online store Rusklimat.

Repair and maintenance of gas water heaters Electrolux GWH 275 SRN (RN), GWH 250 LEN, AEG GWH 11 RN, Vaillant MAG pro OE 11-0 / 0.

Image - DIY gas column repair

Image - DIY gas column repair Image - DIY gas column repair

These geysers were produced by the Spanish plant Fagor and are the most successful of a similar model range. The control is fully hydraulic with a permanently lit igniter. Automation is based on the speed of water flow through the water unit.

Image - DIY gas column repair

Image - DIY gas column repair

During ignition, the control knob is set to ignition, the pusher of the handle axis presses the solenoid valve. Next, we press on the piezoelectric element, the spark jumps into the ignition burner and ignites the flame.

Image - DIY gas column repair

Image - DIY gas column repair

It is necessary to wait about 10-20 seconds and turn the knob into the operating mode (summer or winter). The pilot flame heats up the thermocouple, which generates a voltage of about 30 millivolts to hold the electromagnet in a clamped state. The gas unit is brought into working order.

Image - DIY gas column repair

Image - DIY gas column repair

The column is waiting for the opening of the tap with water. As soon as water begins to flow through the water unit, the activation rod moves up and opens the gas supply valve to the burner. The burner is ignited by the pilot and the water is heated. After turning off the water, the water unit returns to its original state, the burner goes out, the igniter continues to burn.

Image - DIY gas column repair

Image - DIY gas column repair

It consists of separate units of a traction interrupter, a heat exchanger, a burner with a gas supply train and nozzles, a gas unit, a water unit, a thermocouple, an ignition burner. Gas and water units are collapsible and repairable.

Video (click to play).

Image - DIY gas column repair

Image - DIY gas column repair Image - DIY gas column repair Image - DIY gas column repair Image - DIY gas column repair Image - DIY gas column repair Image - DIY gas column repair Image - DIY gas column repair Image - DIY gas column repair Image - DIY gas column repair

For repair, the outer protective casing is removed and a visual inspection is performed. The shroud retaining screw is located under the lower handle.

Image - DIY gas column repair

Image - DIY gas column repair

Leakage can be due to burnout and corrosion of the heat exchanger, wear of the seals and oil seals of the water unit.

Image - DIY gas column repair

Image - DIY gas column repair

There were isolated cases of not turning off the gas burner after closing the water tap. Due to the lack of heat removal, the water in the heat exchanger boils, vaporization occurs and, with the release of steam, melts the parts of the water unit (between the metal half-shells, the units of the water unit are plastic).

Replacing the original heat exchanger does not cause any difficulties. There are heat exchangers of Russian production in Tula, Iva-Service LLC. In the absence of a heat exchanger, a heat exchanger from GWH285 can be installed on the GWH275. There is no need to make changes to the structure, only it is necessary to install a 3/8 ″ extension about 40 mm long between the outlet of the water unit and the inlet of the heat exchanger (in the photo it is assembled from a 1/2 ″ barrel and two adapters).

The stages of repair are shown in the photographs.

Image - DIY gas column repair

Image - DIY gas column repair Image - DIY gas column repair Image - DIY gas column repair Image - DIY gas column repair Image - DIY gas column repair Image - DIY gas column repair Image - DIY gas column repair Image - DIY gas column repair Image - DIY gas column repair Image - DIY gas column repair

Sometimes, when installing the gas handle in the ignition position and pressing the piezoelectric element, the igniter does not ignite. The igniter can be lit with a match. This defect is caused by an incorrect position or contamination of the spark plug and, less often, a malfunction of the piezoelectric element. The presence of a spark, you can see it, and clean the candle and bend the electrode. When the button falls out of the body of the piezo base, the button can be fixed with a ring.

Image - DIY gas column repair

Image - DIY gas column repair Image - DIY gas column repair

Another malfunction - after igniting the pilot burner, and after waiting for the required time for the thermocouple to warm up and turn the knob to the operating position, the igniter goes out. This breakdown can be caused by a malfunction of the solenoid valve of the gas unit, disruption (oxidation) of the contact between the solenoid valve and the thermocouple, malfunction of the thermocouple, malfunction of the thermostat of the gas control system (soldered to the thermocouple wires and checked by a jumper) and malfunction of the valve of the gas unit.

In the valve of the gas unit there is a plastic cylinder with a groove for moving the axis and when the groove is worn, the valve does not function correctly.

Image - DIY gas column repair

Image - DIY gas column repair

The next possible breakdown is when, when the igniter is on and the gas valve handle is in summer or winter mode, after opening the water, the burner does not ignite. This is a malfunction of the water unit, internal blockages of the filter, vias, tubes inside, damage to the membrane.

Another possible malfunction of the water unit. The stem of the water unit hangs in the upper position due to a breakdown of the water flow valve, which seizes the piston of the stem.

Image - DIY gas column repair

Image - DIY gas column repair

Note the small tab on the membrane. He is responsible for smoothly turning on the gas when the water tap is opened (the flame should increase for 2-4 seconds), and instantaneous off when the tap is closed. If the membrane tongue does not adhere tightly to the lower half (does not cover the via of the Venturi tube) of the water unit, then when you turn it on again, the column will give out a portion of boiling water. All malfunctions of the water unit are eliminated by its bulkhead or replacement.

In May 2017, a repair kit for a water unit manufactured by Nizhny Novgorod appeared. The repair kit includes rubber rings, a membrane, a lubricant. The repair kit can be purchased from us.

Image - DIY gas column repair

Image - DIY gas column repair Image - DIY gas column repair

The extinction of the column during its operation is associated with clogging of the heat exchanger soot or weak draft and insufficient air flow into the room. At a nominal gas consumption of 2 cu. meters per hour, about 25 cubic meters of air are needed, naturally, when installed in a small room, without providing air flow, the gas column will go out.

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Let's say right away that repairing a gas water heater, like any other gas equipment, is a matter exclusively for professionals. But, although repairing speakers with your own hands is not allowed, knowledge is not superfluous. The ability to determine on your own what exactly has broken down, how this breakdown threatens, and what the repair can be will not interfere with anyone. What breakdowns of gas water heaters are there, and what "symptoms" are they accompanied by?

At first glance, repairs may seem difficult

To begin with, before getting acquainted with the basics of troubleshooting, it is not out of place to find out how the gas water heater is arranged, the repair will largely depend on the device. We will not delve into the intricacies of the device of many speaker models, we will limit ourselves only to acquaintance with the general principles.

Centralized hot water supply appeared relatively recently by historical standards. The issue of heating water at home was solved in various ways, but the most common one we had was a storage solid fuel heater - the so-called titanium. Titanium was fired with coal, less often with wood or fuel oil. The water in the boiler had to be warmed up in advance. So taking a bath had to spend at least an hour. Of course, using such a device was very inconvenient. The problem of fast heating of water was solved in gas water heaters.

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Gas water heater device

The work of the geyser consists in heating tap water with gas from the city main. To speed up the heating process, a heat exchanger serves, in which the water flow is distributed through a system of thin tubes located directly above the gas burner. Due to this, it is possible to heat the water quickly enough, right in the process of use, there is no need to pre-accumulate the heated water in the tank.

This is the fundamental device of the gas water heater, all the rest of the filling serves to ignite the gas, regulate the heating of the water, and also ensure safety.

The main burner is ignited:

  • From the igniter. The constantly burning igniter, in turn, is turned on by piezo ignition (automatic or manual from a button) or manually ignited from a match. Unless, of course, you are lucky enough to get ownership of such a rarity.
  • Piezo ignition without igniter.
  • Electronic ignition. By its structure, electronic ignition is similar to the ignition of a car.

Security systems are:

    • Mechanical. Almost any column, even stuffed with electronics, is equipped with a simple device - a mechanical connection between a membrane in a water intake device and a valve in a gas pipe. The gas valve only opens when the water pressure pushes against the diaphragm with sufficient force. The principle is simple: no water - no gas is supplied to the burner, turn on the water - the burner turns on.

The column may not work for many reasons. Now we will tell you about the most common ones.

There may be several reasons why the gas column does not light up. First of all, make sure the pilot is on. If the igniter does not work, call the gasman from the public service, he will replace or clean the igniter jet.

In columns with electronic ignition, if ignition has not occurred, the gas supply is cut off by a valve, which the user is informed about by the corresponding indicator. Study the instructions (which you should have studied before turning on the column for the first time), perhaps the problem can be solved with your own hands by simply replacing the battery. Otherwise, contact the manufacturer.

Another reason that the gas column does not ignite may be the lack of draft in the ventilation shaft. You can check the draft by holding a sheet of paper or a lighted match to the ventilation grill. If there is no draft, you can eliminate the blockage of the ventilation well with your own hands, or by contacting the utilities.

Warm water will not give a lighted column

Another reason for burner failure is deterioration of the water diaphragm. The membrane deforms over time from constant loads, the burner switching device loses sensitivity when water is supplied and does not work. Unfortunately, nothing can be done about this, even in the columns of serious Western manufacturers, the membranes have to be changed every 5-7 years.

Try to open the water tap to the maximum, if the column is turned on at maximum pressure, then it is the membrane that will have to be replaced. It is also necessary to check the filter that is equipped with the water intake of the column. Insufficient water pressure to open the gas valve may be due to a clogged filter. The water filter does not belong to gas equipment, and you can replace it yourself.