We purchased our potterton promax he 24 boiler in sept 2002. From the beginning its caused us problems and often needed cajoling to fire up. Major problems occurred from sept 2004. It has had various parts replaced including a 'motor' of some sort. It was out of action from May 2005 until sept2005 - I couldn't face calling the plumber out again. When we did get somebody out, they 'diagnosed' a copper sulphate problem and a filter fitted at gas source seem to do the trick. No it failed again in December 2005 and we still have no heating and no explanation and its the 7 Jan. Plumber has done various things but says we need a new heat exchanger probably although obviously can't guarantee that this will be the end of our problems. He recommends that we consider getting a new boiler. Potterton would not engage in any conversation with us on the phone. Has anybody had similar problems/or could help us uncover the source/reasons for the boiler problems?

yvonne, January 2006

I have the same boiler and it was fitted by the Gas Board in 2002. It's caused us repeated problems ever since. I don't think it was fitted correctly, the pipe that takes the condensate (I think thats the term) is too small, it iced up at the end last weekend and the the boiler cut out. It took a while to discover the problem and a read through the installation manual. We were left with no hot water or heating and the Gas Board could not come out for 4 days. so much for their top level of cover. Once the ice thawed the boiler kicked into action again.
The boiler also packs up if we get strong rain and wind. It would appear that water gets into the flue and then the boiler. The boiler cuts out for a few days and then seems OK again. The boiler has always come back to life before the Gas Board can get their act together, usually after a couple of days. I've not yet found a fix for this. I might try removing the case and standing a fan heater in front of the boiler next time, any sensible suggestions welcome.

Mike, January 2009

My promax repeatedly tripped this week. Would run for a while but would shutdown needing a manual reset.

Luckily I had a spare boiler from a neighbour who's heat exchanger had failed.

Replacing the fan seems to have done the trick. It has a overheat sensor and it seems this was tripping the boiler. Either the air flow was too low or the sensor was operating early.

Gary Clark, March 2008

Hi
We have had similar problems with our Promax System HE boiler installed in November 2002 having had numerous call outs by engineers; thankfully we have annual insurance cover otherwise we would not have been able to pay for all the parts that have been replaced in the boiler which has practically been rebuilt but which is still causing problems with firing properly, to hot water flowing from an overflow pipe etc. I can sympathise with you when you say you are going to replace the boiler. Let me know if you have and whether you are having better luck with your replacement boiler and which one you have chosen.

Bill, November 2007