Obsolete boiler parts....This could cause problems...

[@Ex3t3r]

10/10 for perseverance and 11/10 for showing the old boy such compassion, I would of done exactly the same as you

[@HeatingGeek]

Cool. Thanks. I thought about my grandad and what I would of done for him. :-)

[@declanmelia8963]

Absolute legend mate!! Nothing more fulfilling than rectifying an issue others have wanted to walk away from or take the easy route!! Knowing how happy that old chap would have been would have made my month!! Well played

[@HeatingGeek]

It did make my year tbh. Best repair of 2019.

[@kevinschoales844]

I am so pleased to hear of your excellent work and your commitment to rectifying faults for your customers. My mates think I 'm quite sad that I recall many past jobs over a pint which I am proud of, especially when many others have attempted and thrown the towel in. " New boiler Mrs and we'll install it tomorrow. ????

[@jasonantigua6825]

Declan Melia I’ll second that!

[@ep3thatsall485]

Top engineer. Wish all this valuable information was about when I started in the industry. Old school attitude of find, fix, repair. Your skills are a credit to our industry, a standard that others should follow!!

[@paullyons4624]

What you did was above and beyond what most engineers would do so you should be commended for that. The only issue I see is with guaranteeing the work. I’d write on invoice as temporary repair.

[@HeatingGeek]

Im happy to give a guarantee on MY work. Im an honest guy and I think people know that. :-)

[@hoppy1970]

I started as an electronics engineer before ending up on gas 20 years later so, like you, I am not shy about fixing a board. Good lad.

[@HeatingGeek]

I think I should get a qualification. Then no one could ever say anything about it. :-)

[@NickExton309]

Nothing wrong with what you did. You're an asset to the industry. It's great to see a true engineer than can diagnose a fault down to component level, especially in today's disposable world. I had a similar thing happen to me involving an extremely old 'Wilson Wallflame' oil boiler... From 1962! As your customer found out, many engineers wouldn't touch the thing, even slightly. The owner of this boiler then contacted me. I found it would fire for around 30 seconds, then go to lockout. - Flue switch was good, flame was good, wiring was good... Etc etc etc. - The controller was entirely mechanical in this unit... No ECU, Integrated circuits, or transistors, just mechanical relay logic! - It turns out the lobes on the cams had worn away the plastic on the micro-switches, after over 50 years of service! New switches were sourced, soldered, and refitted, and the boiler ran as good as new afterwards. Sadly, the boiler was swapped out in 2019, in favour of a condensing combination boiler. The newer Worcester Heatslave is certainly efficient, but I doubt it will last for 57 years like the Wilson Wall Flame!

[@HeatingGeek]

Never. They will be lucky if the new one lasts 1/4 of the time. Sad isn't it....

[@malcolmwilliams3968]

I'm a sparky and we all come up against customers who genuinely can not afford to replace stuff. Personally I think we are obliged to help where we can and simple solder or individual part replacement is only helping. We may all be vulnerable and broke at some point so lets hope what goes round will come around. Power to you, well done.

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks :-) The regulations make it hard for engineers to do simple repairs like this though. What do electrical regulations say about that sort of thing?

[@malcolmwilliams3968]

@@HeatingGeek Regs are more for fixed wiring. circuit board repairs are not covered. As i understand it we are not supposed to repair circuit boards because of warranty, but that's just a manufacturer monopoly thing. Also who would ever know and on a boiler with obsolete parts who are you harming.

[@davidceredig-evans8772]

Absolutely with you - fix it if you can - replacement as a last resort!

[@darthfader7414]

Walking away from a fault is normally one of two things. 1. Lack of Knowledge 2. You just got your numbers up on the Lottery.

[@charliewillis8527]

Yes why don't they just say sorry i dont know whats wrong thers no shame iam lucky i have got a couple of friends that do a lot of repair work so i have some help but why con people

[@HeatingGeek]

Boilers are replaced every day because people don't know how to fix them. :-) I don't want to core another hole in my life. :-)

[@HeatingGeek]

Ego is the biggest problem. :-)

[@TheDickPuller]

HeatingGeek Interesting point raised by another KZbinr Ollie. Due to the current situation, there’s loads of ‘Road Kill’ dumped on the pavement, boilers only a few years old, with only minor faults. The Combi Slinkers don’t have the knowledge to fix them & talk the customer into replacing it. So the boiler ‘goes on the grass’, but, the Pikies are on Lockdown too, so the Road Kill is not getting picked up. I picked up two Road Kill boilers this week, stripped them & selling the ‘recon’ parts on eBay.........Kerching......Kerching!!!!💷💷💷💷💷💷💷💷💷👍👍👍

[@charliewillis8527]

@@HeatingGeek yes they seam to have it in ther heads you have to know everythink its no shame to ask for help i know a lot about the Worcester boilers my mate rings me sometimes on them and i do the same then next time you know i have a little yellow book i wright information in does help .you only do boiler repairs i still do installation work as well so you can get a bit rusty sometimes lol

[@leaturk11]

This is the problem nowadays, a total lack of professionalism and ability, you sir are a credit to the trade.

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks :-)

[@cragrat7394]

Done plenty of pcb solder repairs, serving your customers is paramount. Good job sir.

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks :-)

[@fruddydog]

Had the same with BG on my old lump. Two BG eng's later both saying "Need a new one," they said", "can't get the parts," they said. "Got some really good deals at the moment on WB". Oh really, have you? That's interesting. "Oh and you need a powerflush (£800), would be advised" So what parts do you need then? "Oh, a few it's just had it". So I got a local independent engineer round to have a look. Cost me £90 to call him out, 10 mins later "PCB gone", he said. Easy to get hold of spares for Vaillant. Called BG back roasted them, they sent another eng out (who was subcontracted). Oh yeah, "PCB gone". I'll order a replacement. A few days later job done. Keep up the good work!

[@HeatingGeek]

Amazing how they get away with it tbh. Standard working practice from them. Unfortunately the engineers are slightly brain washed. :-/

[@colinjackson320]

Top man! You're a true engineer. So many just think rip it out when they see an old boiler. Many problems are only dry joints, easy fix. Customers are baffled sometimes when I get a hairdryer out, especially as I'm bald :)

[@HeatingGeek]

Yep. I had to ask for the hair drier. :-)

[@Han-es8qu]

Electronics knowledge is absolutely necessary for every engineer in any field. Unfortunately most engineers haven't got a clue!!!!!!!

[@Ex3t3r]

You cannot make a general sweeping comment like that only one based individuals you may know!

[@Han-es8qu]

@@Ex3t3r No, I am a Gas Safe most my colleagues their knowledge of Micro Electronics is non existent . Their maths is even worse. To calculate a simple Thermodynamic or fluid or a simple Ohms law equations , 90% haven't got a clue.

[@Ex3t3r]

Boiler repair knowledge is based on good training and your own field of experience and of course the confidence to apply both, remember not all Gas Safe engineers specialise in the field of boiler repairs. Every man/woman must know there limitations and if they don't they will soon learn the hard way!

[@HeatingGeek]

Interesting discussion you 2 have. I think your both right. Most engineers (me included ) don't have enough knowledge on electronics and PCB design and layout. :-) We need more industry specific training.

[@ArksE8]

I'm one of them. I got basic knowledge on electrics and that's just from experience.

[@TomPalacki]

Engineering - finding solution to a problem. Top Man👍

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks. :-)

[@patrickmatthews1272]

Can't see a problem with re-soldering a joint on a pcb you haven't replaced any parts on the pcb (gas boiler) so in my view no regs broken. Good on you for fixing the oaps boiler. Top man ⭐️stay safe👍

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks. I posted it because it was an electric boiler. I wouldn't risk it on a gas boiler. But that is kind of the problem. If you were to remove a grunfoss pump and fit a Wilo in an old combi boiler would that be the same?

[@copperskills3973]

HeatingGeek if it’s out of warranty then why not? Grundfos do an app and checks whether the ups 3 will fit as some of the old boilers it does indeed

[@HeatingGeek]

@Razorback73 the ups 3 is a rubbish pump though. :-)

[@alanmurphy3584]

Blows my mind every time the lengths you go to to rectify faults, 99.9 % of engineers would of said new boiler or at least new board, amazing stuff 👌👊

[@HeatingGeek]

The problem is there was no new board for either boilers. So only to options. Fix PCB or fit new boiler. :-)

[@andyjennings2061]

You are not modifying the component, it's a repair, and both good ones, I replaced the Pump relay on my vaillant ecotec exclusive 832 when it failed as the PCB was £280... relay was £3 for the exact same one, why we are engineers and not fitters! Well done @heatinggeek

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks. :-) But if it was a gas boiler that I replaced the cap on i would of been breaking the Gas regs? Maybe?

[@andyjennings2061]

@@HeatingGeek only if they know.... and some of the shocking installs we see everyday I very much doubt they would be interested, if you are replacing a component of the same if not better quality, then how is it modifying?? It is classed as a repair and a good one, I agree if you are not confident then best leave alone and just replace the complete component, but if you have the ability and know how then why not, better for the customer and the environment 👍🏻👍🏻

[@paulmusther9492]

Well done mate . There’s too many engineers ready to write a boiler off , too many say they can fix boilers when they carnt, it’s to easy to say it carnt be done, I get a buzz when you’ve solved a boiler fault , keep it up .

[@HeatingGeek]

I will if I can. :-)

[@gbuk97]

My old boss was very much like you. He used to work on aircrafts before becoming a gas engineer. "A plane cant fly if its missing a metal washer the size of a 50p", he used to say. The way to become an expert is to submerge yourself in your chosen field. I now apply that same principle to boilers, one wing nut missing and i will look through my spares till i have that one missing wing nut. You get the idea. I also use a company called CET in Watford for reconditioned PCB's they give you a years Warrenty. They are the best in the business for electronic- they do PCB and fans Reconditioned but properly.

[@HeatingGeek]

I know CET :-)

[@edsirett3860]

Used to love CET, as a service company they depend on both knowledgeable customers and there own encyclopedic in depth understanding.

[@michaelpitts2477]

Just seen this video and like me you help people out, I've repaired things for people many times and not charged much for the time taken, your vids are great so try and do a few as Ive not seen you for a while. cheers, Mike.

[@rarrrrrr1]

I wouldn't have even thought about that tbh but I am new to the repair side so... I appreciate the experience and thought process and would argue that, that is what true engineering is about.

[@D_pawson]

I had a simmilar job few months ago. Fan sized on an old ideal 2 previous engineers new boiler. New fan from ideal £365.00plus stripped it down got new bearings for £4.00 one VERY happy customer. Nawt wrong with properly fixing a boiler👍 good work

[@HeatingGeek]

I have them bearings to. :-)

[@gasfitter78]

You are a legend mate. You go above and beyond. Your criticism of British gas is justified they are about getting bodies through the door. Then its get out as quick as you can cause you get penalised for trying to fix it.

[@HeatingGeek]

Why can they fix PCBs and I cant buy one fixed by a professional and fit it??? Gas regs are a bit of a joke. :-)

[@davidoshea1536]

Your Awesome Ollie! What you did was absolutely the right thing to do! The other engineer's were clearly not interested in rectify or even having a look at the problem. There nothing wrong with soldering a dry joint on a PCB👍 Your a honest and decent top bloke!, you made time to go back to the old fellas and repair his boiler. Your knowledge of electronics's is second to none!!🔥👊

[@HeatingGeek]

I only have a basic knowledge of electronics but I will try and fix any boiler. If the manufacturer has given up on it then why shouldn't I try my best for the customer.

[@hadjarramouche9984]

Having said that I can’t fault you I think what are you doing absolutely right especially with those who are less fortunate to get a new boiler well done mate

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks :-)

[@williammcgrattan9583]

Attention to detail Ollie 👍👍. Nice one.

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks 👍 I like a challenge

[@bigjd2k]

Cool! Any joint on a PCB with a ring around it is a dry joint, it just needs reflowing with some new solder added.

[@HeatingGeek]

The joint is ok though. The other repair was on a electric boiler so gas regs don't matter :-)

[@normanboyes4983]

Good on you - a man after my own heart. When faced with similar issues and it was clear it (PCB) was f***ed then my attitude was (is) well I may as well have a go because it cannot be double f***ed. Quite often (not always) PCBs over 10 years old have failed capacitors and are very simple to repair.

[@gasservenw1369]

Brilliant admin pal. At the end of the day you need to decide if you are an engineer or a fitter? A fitter is merely a factory assembly line worker on tour but an engineer identifies the issue and fixes it as all engineers love the feeling of conquest.....don't we?? Keep up the videos pal. They are brilliant to watch

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks. :-) I will

[@MikeJones-hi8fd]

I highly respect you for your talent of sharing knowledge, I live in north wales now aged 57 Have spent my whole working live in the heating engineering industrie, your enthusiasm and professionalism is inspiring, reinvigorating my core belief in the generation that follows me. Please keep posting mate, I and I'm sure many others are inspired, you take great care of yourself and protect your family at these unprecedented times, take care, stay safe, and above all keep strong. Mike Jones (Abergele, North Wales)

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks. :-) That's a really nice thing to say :-) People like you keep me going. I really appreciate it. :-)

[@fernandomartins7261]

Hi mate thanks for your vídeo. I have a small company here in Oporto, Portugal and I repair boiler, heaters, appliances, TVs, including the pcbs of these machines. Since I know quite a bit about electronics I have fixed things that others have failed at, that does not mean everything is fixable and I am a superhero. Therefore as soon as I saw you with the hairdryer I knew that it was an electrolytic capacitor problem and when I saw it bulged, I was reasured of it. However there are capacitors that look mint but have hi ESR that is why it is important to have a ESR meter and not justo a capacitor meter. Dry joints, electrolytic caps and relay failures are the main issues with PCBs.Therefore nowadays a tech has to know a little bit about electronics, otherwise it Will be difficult to solve many of the repairs that arise. Keep up the good work and if I can help you at any time with an electronic question or repair feel free to contact me. I Will do as best as I can. Kind regards.

[@HeatingGeek]

WOW Portugal :-) I never knew I had any viewers in Portugal. I am learning as much as I can about electronics and know the bulging top would make people understand the issue (obviously you didn't need to see it). I have some PCBs that I replace all 5 electrolytic caps because they often look ok but are not. I don't have a ESR meter but if I remove the cap I can measure it? (I think). Do you do any videos or anything?:-)

[@fernandomartins7261]

@@HeatingGeek it is a global world as you know, thanks for answering my comment. I don't have any videos myself but if you check you tube and search measuring the Equal Series resistance of electrolytic capacitors (ESR) you Will find plenty of videos. Many a time an electrolytic cap may be with the tolerance of of its capacitance but the interior resistance of the dialectric of the cap it Will not allow the cap to respond as fast as the demands of the electronic circuit. For instance once I went to a baxi condensing boiler which was about Four years old and was totally dead. Upon taking out the pcb I found out that there was a tiny 4,5 microfarads cap that didn't even show a reading on the ESR meter. After changing it the boiler came back to life again. The same happened with a split AC unit whose compressor would not start. You see in the Linear power supplies, the ones with the big Transformers the caps last a lot longer because the frequency is the same as the grid 50hertz, but in switch mode power supplies the frequency in the oscillator circuit can be 20 , 40 kilohertz, etc depending on the needs of the current needed by the pcb. As a result, the caps are overworking and lets say stressing a lot more. On the examples that I mentioned before, these caps were the ones responsible for the oscillator circuit, if they didn' t give the initial push the pcb would not start. If you need anything just let me know. You can go to Facebook and search for my company Seimartech and send me a message on messenger. Over the years I have come to the conclusion that in poorer countries they fix everyting. I have learned quite a bit from countries in south America. Have a good day pal.

[@SalimKhan-gk1fh]

@@fernandomartins7261 That’s really interesting information! especially regarding the capacitors I’ve always been interested in electronics and reading the above comment you left was a real eye-opener thank you very much for putting this information here

[@tommyblackman7119]

Great vid... always try repair rather than replace.. always a better feeling knowing you’ve saved a Customer money etc and showing you have time an effort over other engineers

[@HeatingGeek]

I had no options. Refurbished part, new appliance or fix myself. :-)

[@TheHairyHound]

Great to see anyone who can perform real repairs and doesn't opt for the easy way of replacing units which we know don't come cheap. You're an absolute star *G*O*L*D*

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks :-) I like to repair these older appliances.

[@johnrowland6214]

I think you are a very clever guy I think if you can fix something then you should have a go, thank you for being a nice person as well as a good engineer

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks for commenting. :-) I will always try and do the best thing for the customer. :-)

[@maxmerton]

Good work. Especially on the old Vaillant. I nursed one of those for years until the owner had to move.

[@HeatingGeek]

I want to get myself one of the combi versions to put in a training center :-)

[@maxmerton]

Vicious! You don’t like your trainees? 😁

[@HeatingGeek]

@@maxmerton Its a great boiler to learn about. It looks so difficult but once you understand it... I'm not sure I understand it. :-)

[@maxmerton]

HeatingGeek , I definitely didn’t! I could only fit into my brain enough information to fix the thing that went wrong. At one stage it was multiple faults, and I nearly had a hernia trying to work out what was going on. It’s like trying to operate Microsoft Windows without using a monitor 😝

[@HeatingGeek]

@@maxmerton :-) I Just fixed an even older combi today!!!! I have been sooooo stressed about it for over a week. But its done :-) all fixed. :-)

[@eyyubgasimov2204]

Not only your knowledge, skills, tips are great, but also the way you edit videos are very creative and engaging! Thank you very much for quality content, and videos!

[@HeatingGeek]

I appreciate that! Thanks :-) I have highs and lows with editing. At the moment i just want to get them done. No creativity or anything. :-( Then in a week I will want to spend some time doing a really good job... The problem is I have to go back to work soon so my time will be take. :-)

[@user-te1le7ck6b]

As I said before , you care and actually bother to fix rather than take the easy option as a computer science teacher I find it fantastic that you diagnose and fix rather than forget and replace 👍

[@HeatingGeek]

Computer science? Like python and ruby? Thats a difficult subject. I really struggle with computer based stuff. Im using a MAC now to keep things simple. :-)

[@user-te1le7ck6b]

@@HeatingGeek Yeah mate mainly python but if your interested always learn the concepts that way your not tied to a language , your logical / computational thinking would come in very handy in a computer science setting , im surprised boilers don't throw up more programming based errors , i think sadly just like cars we might see a shift to propriety systems being utilised by manufacturers in the future that will require their own equipment / software , i pray not but its just going to take 1 for others to follow suit. Great work as always and stay safe.

[@tonypotter1949]

I have a Baxi combi 105e boiler, which stopped working. I traced the problem to a faulty relay on the PCB, which I replaced at a cost of a couple quid. A gas engineer wanted to charge me £150 to replace the PCB! Excellent video. Just goes to show how easy it can be to fix these things, if you have a little patience and knowledge..

[@HeatingGeek]

But as a gas engineer, i'm not allowed to replace components on a PCB

[@tonypotter1949]

Really? I find that a tad strange..

[@andyturner1502]

So nice to see an engineer with a soldering iron, instead of a Condemned sticker. I worked as a diagnostic technician for rolls-Royce, before retraining 14 years ago as a heating engineer. I come from a back ground of repairing part. I find it so frustrating when you go into a house where they have a contract with one of the bigger companies and have been told they need a new boiler when actually they just need a decent engineer to look at it.

[@HeatingGeek]

Why leave RR for this??? I would love a job like that. :-)

[@andyturner1502]

HeatingGeek unfortunately it came down to pay I was only 22 and even though I was one of there youngest master technicians they told me I had to stay on £6.50 per hr until I was 25 I could afford to stay. Rolls-Royce wiring is a very much like heating wiring on the old handmade cars, if they ran out of red wire they’d grap some blue spice it in.

[@Dangoymer]

Absolutely brilliant, I'm just starting out my gas career and hope one day to have just half as much knowledge as you. Keep up the good work.

[@HeatingGeek]

It all comes from mistakes. The only way to learn. :-)

[@kamaluddin1671]

Excellent nothing wrong with that repairing Keep the customers happy

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks

[@michaelherbert2982]

Hi bud... Your brilliant a credit too the industry 😉

[@HeatingGeek]

I try. Fixing faults is interesting. :-) Keeps me going

[@charliewillis8527]

Nice to have the knowledge i have done that before helped people out out of hours then they go somewere else to get a new boiler because he was a little bit cheaper lol will be glad to be out of it done it from school and dad was a fitter

[@HeatingGeek]

This industry isn't what it was. ;-) I wish we could get the work back from the big firms. :-)

[@charliewillis8527]

@@HeatingGeek yes i have seen i lot of change when i started you used to get loads of little jobs for the old boy or old girl they would recommend you to ther friends you would repair thinks then.i dont enjoy it now like i used to people will drop you for a fiver so you don't fill like helping them out like you used to but i still have a few off me old 30+year customers which is nice but each year that goes by you lose some .keep up the good work and stay safe

[@charliewillis8527]

@@HeatingGeek unfortunately ther are to many doing it but they do a qwick course for £5000 then ther out ther buy a brand new van on finance you can spot them a mile off

[@HeatingGeek]

@@charliewillis8527 The culture isn't very conducive for keeping customers happy. I have some that didn't follow my advice and now complain about the things I warned them about. :-) I just give up. :-)

[@charliewillis8527]

@@HeatingGeek yes i know what you mean if it means spending money lol

[@jules_paints_40k29]

Ha still got one of those in our properties and the younger lads haven’t got a clue about about repairing it , nice to see those old boilers still going , an old boss of mines mum had an old sime 18 that was still running until it finally died in 2013 .

[@HeatingGeek]

You will love a video I have coming soonish. Sine 18 :-)

[@jules_paints_40k29]

@@HeatingGeek sound , had to remove an old thermo awhile back and the lad I had helping me was asking what everything was , felt like a history lesson by the time I explained what everything was 🤣

[@paulsheppard5123]

It's a shame not all engineers have your mindset and perseverance to help their customers, I would simply call it excellent customer service. I currently have an intermittent issue on my Ferolli Medena and each engineer I have contacted show little interest in coming to see what the issue is, instead they suck their teeth and tell me it needs replacing! Watched your video series also on the oldest boiler on You Tube... I was hooked, fantastic viewing mate... Keep it up

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks :-) That boiler was very testing. :-) I might be going back there soon....

[@JonTheComputerDoctor]

As a former electronics engineer, I can say you did an excellent job.

[@HeatingGeek]

I may need to get a qualification to protect myself from future problems. :-)

[@mmm091000]

Potterton Lynx another boiler with multiple boards and probs not seen one in years 😂 things have moved on at a rapid rate ! manufacturers hate you soldering dry joints, All about the dollar, great vids mate never stop learning Ex BG 👍

[@aplumber28]

You mate are a proper legend. Honesty and a bit of trying goes a long way with clients. We'll done from a fellow engineer.

[@HeatingGeek]

A lot of trying. :-) It was stressful to find the issue on the Vaillant. :-)

[@gregorydavison3421]

I have soldered and replaced the top left connector on a puma and the odd vaillant as well :)

[@HeatingGeek]

You are the first person to mention the exact location of the Puma issue. :-) Made me smile... simple fix. happy customers. I don't think Corgi would mind either. :-)

[@peterdawson5115]

Well done to you, if it can be fixed then fix it, and why not.👍

[@HeatingGeek]

Because if people do it and don't know what they are doing it might cause big problems. :-/

[@chohanchohan8208]

Yeh brv...I have soldered a few PCB boards...well done on sorting that old lad out....Full respect....

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks :-)

[@deantrott2945]

Have been selling spares now for 28 years, I know manufacturers think its a big problem, from my point of view, so long as you can guarantee the pcb will perform the same.. no ussues.. having said that, you have to know what ur about, bodging could be dangerous.. hats off to you bud, the kids out there nowadays just want to sell boilers.

[@HeatingGeek]

it appears everyone just want to sell boilers. :-)

[@johnturrell942]

Nothing wrong with replacing components if boiler is safe and relatively efficient. Fixed my Potterton with parts that cost pennies. New board was £147 and now obsolete. I wish you lived round here as most boiler repairers think the ideal of fixing is... keep swapping parts until maybe it works. Keep calm and carry on the good work.

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks. Parts fitters are not engineers. :-)

[@adamsala9291]

I did on baxi PCB soider was dry joint No one could fix it 😔 But I did and it's still working 20 years on.

[@HeatingGeek]

And it didn't catch fire and kill everyone. :-)

[@adamsala9291]

@@HeatingGeek nope! I am to good ex builder! Even do boilers trained people up to be gas Safe but I am not gas Safe I had no time life to busy!. I love your videos & not much builders left in Coventry 😔 any keep it going👍

[@felipecastaneda5236]

Love it mate great video. I believe on doing a jobs with care for the customer and not just about profit. Well done keep it up. Stay safe

[@HeatingGeek]

Absolutely. I like to fix things. Fitting a new boiler wasn't an option for this customer.

[@Dave-uniquenamehere]

Good on ya. The throwaway society does my head in.

[@HeatingGeek]

Me too. But I think most of us are guilty of it. We just don't realise it.

[@martinasher8705]

Totally agree with you Ollie, problem is a good 75% of engineers earning their living in this industry don't know how to check for voltage, continuity or resistance using a basic multi-meter and therefor don't even have one as part of their toolkit relying as many of them do on a cheap neon test screwdriver.

[@HeatingGeek]

Multimeter and your scenes diagnose 90% of problems. :-)

[@stephenhooper8287]

Dude It's absolutely fine in my opinion, I've been using a hair dryer and electronics soldering Kit for years! It's no different to repairing any other part of a boiler, as long as you have an understanding of what you're doing.....RS Components sell all the necessary bits for PCB repairs, obviously not every PCB fault can be repaired without an Oscilioscope and other testing equipment but many issues can be resolved by an experienced Gas engineer with a good basic knowledge of Electrics and electronics

[@HeatingGeek]

Thats what I think too. I have an oscilloscope in the van too. I don't use it really though....

[@f.demascio1857]

I would have done the same, with two conditions: 1. How has the attitude of the client been throughout my visit? 2. Does the client understand that their boiler is considered obsolete and that my repairs my not keep them running into the next season or cold snap. Good on you for doing what used to be considered standard troubleshooting and repair.

[@HeatingGeek]

You hit the nail on the head. The client's attitude makes all the difference. :-)

[@silvervanmanfly]

I've soldered a few PCB's in the past. Not done one for a long time. They seem to be getting a bit more reliable these days. Now having said that I'll probably have one this week.

[@HeatingGeek]

You'll have 2 this week now. :-)

[@jaker8795]

Unless it is a safety feature/device I agree 100% with you

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks :-) Thats a good way to put it ;-)

[@marvinlsd]

Been fixing VMF7 boards for years. Always check the PCB if I find a fault on it

[@HeatingGeek]

Whats a VMF7?

[@marvinlsd]

@@HeatingGeek off of the old ferroli optima. The VMF7 PCB, the resistors would get so hot they would crack the solder.

[@samaiar]

I agree, why not fix something if you can? Manufacturers just want to save money of course. There are people "refurbishing" these parts and selling them, and they always work. Better than the disposable culture we know best

[@HeatingGeek]

Exactly. But legally you can fit a refurbished part. :-)

[@HeatingGeek]

Cant. :-)

[@onetech3984]

use to fix my worcester 240 diverter valve diaphragm used to fail often only about 60% efficient as opposed to 90% to my current ideal boiler

[@HeatingGeek]

Unfortunately the Ideal will not last as long as the old boiler. :-(

[@onetech3984]

@@HeatingGeek what would you say the lifespan is of a ideal logic c30 is ? the worcester 240 lasted 20 years and as you say reliable the achilles heel being the rubber diaphragm in the diverter valve as it split i changed 2-3 0f these so new boilers are junk but more efficient?

[@dilaliotube]

I'm with you mate. Done it before with dry joints and blown caps. Even used a thin screwdriver/brawdle, heated with my torch, as a soldering iron on site before now as a fix. Boiler's way out of any warrantee so WGAF eh? The customer's certainly do 😁

[@HeatingGeek]

I have done the blowtorch on my screwdriver repair before. :-) Customers think your mad. :-) ruined my screwdriver though.

[@dilaliotube]

Did mine too. Just kept it as repurposed tool for the next time I needed a soldering iron 👍🏻

[@hamidn818]

Great video as always . You from good old generation (not age obviosly).many people look for easy money we all agree it is wrong but 🙄🙄🙄 Thanks

[@HeatingGeek]

:-) I just like fixing things. :-)

[@Ragnar8504]

Great job! On a side note, those red electrolytics on the Vaillant PCB are known to cause trouble! I didn't realise they were manufactured as late as the early 90s, I always thought they were a 1980s thing. They were made by Roederstein of Germany and electronics repair folks recommend blanket replacement.

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks for the info! How do you know that?

[@Ragnar8504]

@@HeatingGeek I'm into vintage audio equipment and these caps were used by most reputable German manufacturers in the 70s and 80s. Those caps were considered TOTL when they were new and no one expected them to fail as rapidly as they did. I think they usually dry up and no longer work. Others were worse, yellow ones made by Frako around the same time tend to short and blow up other components. IIRC someone who fixed VCRs in the 80s told me that they had to replace them by the dozen as early as 1985 in V2000 VCRs that were only two or three years old at that time. You can't really blame Roederstein, it's more like we're spoiled by some electrolytics that just seem to last forever, much longer than they were expected to.

[@HeatingGeek]

@@Ragnar8504 Do you watch Dr Carlsons lab? Bet you do. I wish I could learn more about electronics. Slowly slowly. One day. :-) EEV blog and Dr Carlson Lab are helping somewhat. :-)

[@Ragnar8504]

@@HeatingGeek Not much - mostly David Tipton I have to admit. He's got some interesting radios and he always explains what he's doing. EEV blog usually has fascinating stuff although his enthusiasm can be a bit tiring at times :-) My favourite YT channels are car related though, HubNut, Bad Obsession Motorsports and Mustie1.

[@HeatingGeek]

@@Ragnar8504 I watch mustie1 and bad obsession motorsports (not lately though ). I will check out David Tipton and HubNut. :-)

[@rayc1503]

I'd say there nothing more satisfying then repairing a boiler and getting it up and running. It's nice seeing happy customers. The problem with this trade is there are plentiful people who call themselves engineers but don't know diagnose faults. The multimeter's you best friend learn how to use it.

[@HeatingGeek]

I agree. :-)

[@brendanfisher2528]

What a guy! Great video, top engineer and great work.. keep them coming mate. Hope your doing well

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks, will do! Im at home so getting the time to edit these videos. :-)

[@psheating2473]

Love all your videos, I’ve learned more from your videos then all other gas related channels, keep up the good work.

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks, will do! :-)

[@craiggilesallen4474]

You done exactly the right thing. Well done to you, absolutely brilliant. Most would have thrown away and installed new.

[@HeatingGeek]

If it was my grandad? What would I want someone else to do?

[@jimbo-ed3kc]

Good job, its a throw away world today, short courses and quick entries into industry doesn't help matters, everyone wants to chuck in 300 boilers a year to make their million, years ago when i started on BG we fixed things, not many would do bearings in a fan let alone pcbs

[@HeatingGeek]

I do like to fix stuff.. Unfortunately the job has changed a lot.

[@seanmurray1734]

Plenty of places can fix a pcb for you. Some Mobile phone repair shops do electronic repairs.

[@HeatingGeek]

But you cant fit one legally

[@seanmurray1734]

HeatingGeek wouldn’t dream of it..

[@johnwaby4321]

It's just to easy to say you need a new one without even looking at the problem .. how do expect to gain a knowledge if you walk away from problems. . I have in my time come across a lot of dry soldered joints . Some times they work some times they don't but most of the time they work ok .. so keep up what you are doing it will make you a better engineer. .

[@HeatingGeek]

I honestly think engineers see an old boiler and don't know how to diagnose on them so they say you need a new one. :-)

[@anthonynewcome128]

obsolete part, manufacterer aint gonna fix it, or BG, or many other engineers, you did what i do, were the few with a very compationate personality

[@HeatingGeek]

It doesn't feel right telling someone to replace a whole appliance for time based repair. both of these jobs cost less than £5 in parts.

[@melike1984]

You are right to repair the pcb, i work on domestic appliances and if i need to i repair pcbs for my customers its just a case of up skilling and trying things out so you can improve the out comes.

[@HeatingGeek]

On old PCBs it was very easy. Find the burnt joint. Resolder it, job done. :-)

[@ukjay7143]

Fair play in my book. Far too many are quick to shoot someone down for doing something outside the norm and going the extra mile for someone in need, and as is cleary evident in your videos - it would be hard pushed for someone to say you were not competent here. Yes they could argue that you may not have an electronics qualification, but you traced the root cause of the fault, rectified it and it worked as should. Stay true to your own goals, because at the end of the day it is who you are. Never be a lemming and get beaten into submission by the narrow minded opposition!!

[@HeatingGeek]

I like that last quote. :-) Its hard not to conform now a days. No one will cover your ass for trying to fix things, :-)

[@ukjay7143]

​@@HeatingGeek Yep, totally mad isn't it. The thing that I find strange, is that there are companies out there that are extremely well versed / qualified and able to repair circuit boards / PCB's and offer 1 - 2 years warranty, but it is frowned upon, probably as going repair route prevents Dick Turpin getting their £££'s for what can cost you ££'s with the same warranty... Go Figure, as new boards fail just the same as refurbished ones do. We live in a very strange world that's for certain..

[@bdplumbingheating9535]

I’d try and do the same as you especially with the Vaillant. I constantly do everything to get the boiler working as I’m self employed the old hairdryer trick works a treat , keep the videos coming 👍

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks. I will keep it going :-)

[@waynemolloy7983]

When I was on the tools did this plenty of times nothing wrong with what you did.

[@HeatingGeek]

Thats how i feel too. :-) Some would disagree though. :-)

[@desdiamond5700]

@@HeatingGeek disagree if they want! the work carried out is between you and the customer.

[@martyngreen2120]

Ive done that a few times over the years, & why not. Some engineers are to rigid, a new boiler isnt always the right aproach

[@HeatingGeek]

A new boiler is often the right approach for the engineer when he can't fix it. :)

[@shaunconnor7525]

Absolutely brilliant fella well done

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks. :-)

[@matthewjenkins1161]

That is the way to go. Years ago I was a domestic appliance engineer, where much like your business, you just swap out faulty parts. But now and again, especially on Whirlpool washing machines I recall, there would be an obvious dry joint or blown track on the motor control pcb. If I could, I would always offer repair as an option, rather than wait for expensive parts. In your business where you must replace many old boilers, it would be useful to tear them down and hold on to likely obsolete pcbs, that may just offer an affordable option, for a cold pensioner. Win win for both you and customer, if you can complete a repair quickly, at a rate covering your time and their budget. That is the route to customer loyalty.

[@HeatingGeek]

Customer loyalty is definitely earned not given:-)

[@tigerick7291]

What's the problem with resoldering a dry joint? It's a great fix for you and your customer.👍

[@HeatingGeek]

Good question! Ask GasSafe :-)

[@YoutubeHero666]

@@HeatingGeek as long as it's passes your safety checks surely that's all gas safe care about. (Using the word care very loosely)

[@alexperry3861]

Hi I have done similar repairs you got help customers only when you’ve done your best can you say it needs replacing lol. Keep up the good work

[@HeatingGeek]

Thats what I think too. :-)

[@gregl6527]

Brilliant..... Funny, informative, entertaining ...... I've subbed...

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks.:-) No one ever said that before :-)

[@yannkitson116]

Good video. I have done this with Ferroli PCBs and a lot of times with Vaillant wireless outdoor sensors, sometimes I am not allowed to repair things because I'm told that manufacturer forbids it due to safety concerns, but also because my boss simply want to sell a new boiler or a heat pump.

[@HeatingGeek]

What happens to the outdoor sensors? I have one on my wall here.

[@yannkitson116]

​@@HeatingGeek The Vaillant wireless outdoor sensors with solar cells go bad after awhile and the boiler thinks it is 0 degrees outside. If you open it and run over the larger solder points you can usually get it going again or replace it with a glow worm one, which is much cheaper than the exact same Villant one.

[@thomasgoodman3876]

Loving those repairs geek.

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks :-)

[@TheMurcury99]

Wow you don’t work around Kent do you👍

[@heatpump8566]

What you did was not wrong, excellent work,have done it myself

[@HeatingGeek]

Thats what I think too. :-) I wish I felt gas safe would feel the same. :-)

[@kevinbrown6066]

Good to see you’ve got another use for that hairdryer as you won’t need it for your head much longer 😂 another great video mate well done. That job offer is still open for you 👍

[@HeatingGeek]

That was your old hairdryer wasn't it?? From the 1980's :-)

[@arryrooker3079]

Done well Question 1 How long did each repair take ? Question 2 Did you do a FGA around the 1st boiler outside case and check the combustion door seals? Also the inlet on the flue ?

[@Mike-st5et]

Well done 👍

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks :-)

[@kearneyboy]

First class mate. 👌 Subbed

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks for the sub! Appreciate it. :-)

[@lukemitchell6146]

Legendary work! If I had that sort of knowledge and understanding, I would definitely do the same. Never heard of that before, any engineer I know or have worked with would have ordered the part or called it a new boiler. You have great morals! Would definitely give you free labour to learn from you...

[@HeatingGeek]

Thanks. I just try and do my best for people who need it. I get a lot of people offering to work with me :-) I'm self isolating at the moment :-( Who knows what I'm going back to with work..... How many clients would have waited the 4+ weeks so far...

[@lukemitchell6146]

I bet you do! Yes, been self isolating too, only went out on my own in December, not the best time to be starting up a business lol Oh well, is what it is! I'm sure you'll be fine... hopefully there will be a massive boom of work when it's all over. Stay safe, that's the main thing

[@simontaylor6568]

Keep doing the good work and its lovely when you help customers that don't get joy else where but you fix the problem done it fill great well done

[@HeatingGeek]

Thank you, I will. I enjoy fixing boilers. :-)

[@Solderwire]

Dont forget the old glowworm micron, with the burnt resistor underneath the pcb, repaired a few of them

[@HeatingGeek]

I have never done a micron. They changed the PCB too often for me to notice the issue. :-)

[@laurencebushby713]

I have known certain engineer condemning a boiler because the pilot light keep going out! it was a thermocouple faulty got one from B&q fitted it working fine then got a gas safe engineer round to check system was fine! You are the sort of repair guy we need more of someone who has got the time and savvy to sort out rather than condemn everything great work, just to add to that said engineer left them over Christmas with no hot water and put an 11 inch immersion heater in the Top of a normal tank (because there was not one fitted to give them a temp hot water supply ! about half a sink full if you were lucky , there was a b& q across the road! would have taken him longer to bodge the immersion than fix the boiler!

[@HeatingGeek]

Sometimes engineers will look at making money from a job rather than doing the job they were called for. These engineers are few and far between but cause the industry as a whole a problem. Lack of trust etc.

[@241mrmark]

Versatile. I would say electrics, let alone electronics is the weak point of a lot of engineers..

[@HeatingGeek]

Myself included. I wish I knew more about electronics. :-)

[@TheDickPuller]

Doesn’t have to be Mark. Loads of stuff on the likes of KZbin & on-line. Of course every day is a Skool Day for us all & the very experienced guys like Ollie can put us all to shame.

[@HeatingGeek]

@@TheDickPuller Nah. I just film the successful jobs. Forget the 15 years of mistakes. :-)

[@charliewillis8527]

@@HeatingGeek you seam pretty good to me and still keen lol

[@241mrmark]

Fibre Washer I decided to get registered with the NIC as well and count myself ok electrically. I’ve also been studying electronics for a while now as well, but at the end of the day time is money and you do what is quickest - sadly often replacement of parts.

[@mickspencer4171]

2 excellent fixes,like most thing's,if it don't work,stick a new one in,until you come up the obsolete part's syndrome,then it's no mate,gotta have a new boiler,yeah right,my old mum had the same experience until she got a friend of a friend to sort it out (registered gas safe) not many people would dig that deep.well done mate, although I would've reflowed all the other solder joints on that board.two new customers on board.result.

[@HeatingGeek]

I always think would I do it for my mum. :-)