We have a fairly new (2 year old) Potterton Promax 24/2 HE Plus. The pilot light comes on, the gas ignites then it cuts out after a few seconds. This happens a few times, then it stops with lights one and 3 lit - the code says "Ignition Lockout". Our gas engineer has been out and checked it, cleaned the electrode etc. It works when he is here, but then stops after a day or so.... Can anyone help point me in the right direction as to what it might be. Thanks

Joe, October 2008

My Promax kept locking out too with a code A01. I had it running on constant yet I noticed that it was only if I had the lockout during the night (when most needed in winter!) that it would start for a few seconds and just peg out. Then I realised that the times I couldn't start it were outside the program times for it to be on, EVEN THOUGH it was on constant! So it 'thought' it was on timer when it was actually on constant. Obviously a program/PCB problem. I put the 3 timers for each day onto the same time, say 12 pm. restarted any hey presto, no more lockouts. The only thing is I can't use the timer if I wanted.

Mike, February 2021

thank you thank you thank you this as been happerning for yaers nopw solved

mick, November 2018

potterton promax fsb he intermittent lighting problem and sometimes explosive startups, would cycle through 5 times lighting and fail. Turns out that it was arcing onto front cover rather than spark inside boiler as insulation breakdown on inner cover where there is a bulge in front cover with insulation. Answer was to line bulge with insulation tape, no problem since!

paul, May 2017

how do you fit the condensate pipe in the potterton fsb 30 he

John, October 2013

Use a potterton engineer they fixed by boiler on first visit guaranteed for a year with 1 year contract £25.00/month

Happy Harry, January 2013

This problem is happening with ours- we've had the electrodes replaced twice now and the same things happens- to start with they work fine, then over the next 2-4 weeks we get the increasingly frequent explosive start-ups followed by increasingly-frequent lock-out.

The same local company has visited twice, but they've stated the only things it could be are the electrodes, ignition lead or PCB.

There seems to be other good info here:

http://www.diynot.com/forums/plumbing/potterton-promax-15he-cutting-out.308922/

http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=39253

So I'm going to start inspecting the boiler for all offending areas where problems seem to be common...

The Lemming, December 2012

zig igniter breaks down when in heavy use mine was replaced no more problems

higgy, October 2012

We had a similar problem. The plumber replaced the electrodes (which have been identified as a frequent cause of breakdown) and problem is solved.
Apart from this problem, now resolved, I am happy with this model of boiler

C Bryant, October 2011

as a gas engineer myself my verdict is to get rid of all new pottertons. no help to most of you but an easier life for me. thay are a nightmare to work on. stay away. but if you have one and can't change it go for british gas one fix offer around about £180 if thay will take it on that is.

gas man, March 2011

It makes me very happy to have rid myself of this boiler, I can see that Dave was having similar problems to me. Why won`t Pottertons put their hands up and admit that this boiler was potentially a bit of a "Chocalte teapot"

P.S. the worcester is still behaving beyond my expectancies and far superior to the potterton

Mick (no longer pulling his hair out) Baker, July 2010

I had similar problems to Mick (Feb 2010) with a Promax 24HE with a total of 20 visits from BG and/or Potterton engineers. Most parts were replaced over a period, with lockout continuing at intervals, especially in colder weather. After many visits, condensation between the electrodes of the condensate trap was suspected and the trap was replaced with a modern version. Lockout continued at intervals. A Potterton engineer then decided that the heat exchanger was leaking very slightly and allowing moisture into the electrode area, so the heat exchanger was replaced. Lockout still continued at intervals. I managed to get the BG technical manager to come out again, and he noted that the insulation on the lead to the electrode did not cover all of the lead, and that there was potentially leakage of the ~20KV on the electrode to earth via the front of the boiler casing rather than across the electrode gap; preventing a spark and firing. The casing has a dome with an insulating layer opposite the electrode connections, but the lead extends near to parts of the casing without the insulating layer. He put extra insulation over all of the electrode lead wherever it is anywhere near the front of the boiler casing, and there have not been any problems for more than a month, despite cold weather which would certainly have caused ignition lockout in the past.

Dave, April 2010

After two visits by potterton engineers, problem still existed, bolier is now 15 months old and I have sorted it out myself....... ripped it off the wall & replaced with a Worcester greenstar, radiators piping hot, hot water never been in such plentifull supply

Mick (NO LONGER pulling my hair out) Baker, February 2010

We have had this problem for over two years on our Potterton Boiler (it's 6 years old). We are on a British Gas contract and know all the engineers in this area as they are prob here more than we are!! I believe we have had every part replaced on this boiler including the PCB board (three times), the door, the seals (numerous times), valves, switches, the pump and so the list goes on. Boiler ok during summer when we only need hot water but as soon as winter comes along we get the intermittent lock-out problem. Sometimes we are able to relight it and sometimes not. Brit Gas calle din Potterton about a year ago who seemed to fix it (not sure what they did) but then it started up again as soon as heavy demands placedon boiler. Anyway........I finally got a new engineer who called in the boss and between them they ran half a days tests on it. They then replaced a valve (its in a white box situated under the boiler on the wall on the pipes that come from the boiler) and they also came back and fitted a new heat exchanger a few days later. Since then (about two weeks ago) no problems! Fingers crossed it is fixed. However I also have the manager's mobile number and he has assured me if this doesn't work, they will keep trying until they sort it. I have also been told by someone else that if they can't fix it, they have to give you a new boiler under the contract so that is what I will be pursuing if any more probs. Hope this helps........

Jackie, November 2009

I have a promax 24 HE and now no hot water or heating, it is flashing "19-E1" does any one why?????

joan turner, March 2009

I thought it was just me!!!! apparently not, promax 24/2 fitted & commissioned dec 2008... same problem
power flushed system twice, upgraded to 15/60 grundfoss pump, pressurised system, running out of places to fit auto air valves, upgraded to 22mm pipe all the way back to gas meter,........wish I could have my old Prima back, begining to wonder if this is an inherant fault with this boiler, must contact pottertons

Mick (pulling his hair out ) Baker, January 2009

Yup, exactly the same here. Only happens when the boiler is experiencing heavy use, ie - never in the summer and only when frequent ignition/shutdowns are attempted. British Gas engineer visited and cited gas pressure as the problem, but I don't believe him as it never happens in the summer.

Bod, January 2009

mine too. engineer been out twice. any luck with answer?

rob miller, December 2008