GG asked ... Fix food processor motor?    |    T asked ... How do I turn the delay off on Electrolux DX302 dishwasher?    |    Helen asked ... How can I mend my Kenwood Gourmet FP505?    |    Roy Turner asked ... Kohlangaz Gosford HE fire?    |    Peter asked ... How can I mend a Powerwasher PRO PRO1800PWE?    |    Click here to ask your question

Baxi Bahama 100..hot water..boiler turns on and off during hot water flow?

While i run the tap/shower the boiler turns itself on and off fluctuating water temp and generaly anoying me.....

any ideas as i will soon be putting an axe through it..
mike, June 2005
I've had the same problems for the last 3-4 years & even though I'm on contract with British Gas (I could have gone to their Christmas Party every year, that's how well I knew their Engineers due to repeated home visits because of this POXY BOILER!!!) I decided to bite the bullet & have a new Alpha CD28C fitted. To be honest you can't hear the Alpha ignite & its efficiency is incredible.

The last days of the Poxy Bahama, sorry, Baxi Bahama read as folllows:
15 March: Prisoner Baxi 100 informed that execution would be carried out on Tue 17 March 2009.

16 March: Prisoner Baxi 100 starts behaving as it should, even to the point of "warming" the house without complaint or "flame-out".

16 March, 20:00 hrs: Prisoner Baxi 100 informed that all appeals have failed. The law must take its course!

17 March, 08:00: Executioner arrives at residence.

17 March, 08:30: Sentence carried out, remains of Prisoner Baxi condemned to scrap skip! R.I.P.!!!!

Steve Durnell, March 2009
I have just replaced the cartridge in my diverter valve and at last the boiler is performing as new again.
Firstly to check the valve press the actuator button and turn the head 1/4 turn anticlockwise and it will come off the main body.Then press the spindle and spring together inwards and you should be able to move it without hurting your thumb about 1 cm.The harder it is the slower the change from heating to hot water sometimes causing the overheat to trip.
Dont start to change it until you have a new cartridge part number 241361 about £32 comes with the spanner to get it out.
turn off flow and return and drain (I Blow through a tube connected to the drain point to drain quicker).
Now use the tool to undue the old cartridge anticlockwise.
If your lucky it will all come out as one -- unlikely though so carefully break the old one to bits and remove the small copper pipe below to check for debris.
Check all surfaces are free from sludge and insert new cartridge refill and forget about your problem boiler for another 5 years. KEEP ITS WATER CLEAN ITS WHAT KILLS ALL COMBIS use sentinal 400 then drain and leave sentinal 100 in.

mike, March 2008
i have come across this problem in many different boilers, check the diverter valve pin is fully engaged on the micro switch if it is engaged, then the domestic hot water heat exchanger is scaled up. You need to drain the boiler and visually inspect the heat exchanger for blockage or scale. If not blocked than get your multimeter out and check flow switch for resistance, ring baxi for values. this should cover it.

Justin....

justin, December 2007
ITS YOUR DIVERTER VALVE CARTRIDGE I HAVE COME ACCROSS MANY BOILERS LIKE THE BOGUS BAHAMA

SIMON, November 2007
Kevin

I have also seen the burned resisters, can you confirm the size as the colour codes have gone brown on mine?

Craig, January 2007
You seem to have the same problems as I do...! Several problems seems to go with these boilers and had yet another flow switch fitted this morning.. my suggestion would be to use the axe and get a better make and model..

K Thomas Bolton, October 2005
I have had similar problems and if you can hear a clicking sound every 10-15 seconds on your boiler, it sounds like a faulty diverter valve head (EO2 771). If you open up and look at the diverter valve head when the water is running you should notice the switch on the side going back and forth, hence changing from hot water to central heating. Look in your manual and it is easy to replace; not sure of cost. However, I am not an expert but have come across this problem recently

Northey, July 2005
Hi
I had this problem a year ago. Cleaned both flow switches, no improvement. Replace both circuit boards just to find out it was not that either. Then I fiddled with the pressure switch and one of the plactic tubes running to the fan from the pressure switch was loose. The plastic tubes had hardened at the attachments (due to damp?) and was leaking. Therefore the pressure switch was not properly engaged. New tubes (50pence) and problem solved.

Gerrit Rollema, July 2005
The small heat exchanger may need to be cleaned. I've had a number of flow problems with mine and used to get quite frustrated. Everyone seems to blame the flow switches. I've tested mine electrically and found them ok. There are a number of other in line filters in the supply pipe work that block also which restricts the flow hence it appears that the flow switches are faulty. A regular service will help. Don't always asume the plumber knows best. Also the resistor on the firing circuit board is under rated and "burns out", I've increased the size of mine to a 3 watt resistor from a 2 watt resistor and this seems to works. It cost about 20p not £80 ish for a new board. Try an electrician not a plumber.

Kevin Wells, July 2005
you need to replace the flow switches this will fix the problem

a unlikely baxi bahama owner, June 2005
link Click here to see other fixes for Baxi.