I have a Mersey Super multipoint that cuts out about 30 secs after opening a tap, with the pilot then going out as well. About 10 seconds after quitting, you can hear the ffd release, but the pilot cannot be lit again until something (else?) has cooled down - maybe another 5-10 seconds.

I have temporarily replaced the interrupter-type t/couple with a 'universal' one with no interruptor, but no change, so the problem cannot be either the t/couple or the overtemperature cut-out.

The next most obvious candidate was the ffd electromagnet valve capsule, so I replaced this with one from my spares box. Still no change!

I am completely mystified - I've run out of things to try. Any suggestions from anyone else who has seen this problem received gratefully!

Pete Knowle, May 2009

Pete Knowle again. I had forgotten I'd left this query open, so I thought I'd better update it.

I found the answer when I went back to take another look. I popped round the back to take another look at the flue and found to my astonishment that the owner had carefully taped a supermarket bag over it!!

Apparently after my first visit, when I left the multipoint without its outer casing, the owner had noticed a draft coming from the unit and decided to fit her own draughtproofing 'solution'. Unfortunately she forgot to tell me what she had done - resulting in half an hour's wasted time. Anyway, problem solved - the flame was simply suffocating in its own exhaust thanks to the bag on the flue - nothing very 'mysterious' at all.

Peter Knowle, November 2009