Ideal Logic + Combi "Flame loss post Stabilisation" error after Smart Meter installation

[RidgeRacer]

Hi all,

First off, I'm just a homeowner looking for advice, I'm not a gas engineer.

On Friday I had smart meters installed and 5 times since then (never previously), the 3-year-old Ideal Logic + Combi boiler has made a fairly loud humming/vibrating noise while running hot water for a few minutes and displays "Contact Installer". I turn the water off immediately and the noise stops. Checking the Fault History displays "Fl. Loss post Stabilisation".

I contacted the meter installers (SMS plc) yesterday and after initially claiming it was a coincidence and nothing to do with them, they sent the engineer out to check everything. He checked the gas pressure from the new meter and all was ok and couldn't get the problem to re-occur while he was here. He thought it was a result of the gas being disconnected and needing to flush through the system and should clear itself. However, it happened again this morning.

The meter installer did say if it does it again they would replace the gas meter, but I wanted to get a second opinion. Could this error be caused by a faulty gas meter, or is it more likely to be a boiler problem? As it started immediately after the meter installation, logic would suggest the meter is at fault, but the boiler installation manual suggests a number of potential reasons for flame loss, and only the first is gas supply related (Gas Pressure available at Boiler Inlet > 18mbar).

Also, is it safe to use the hot water between these errors while the issue is solved? It all seems to work normally, and goes many hours before it occurs again (5 times since Friday midday).

Thanks for any opinions you have.

 

[bacon_sandwich]

Its possible dirt has got into a bad place and restricting flow. You need to get a Gas Safe registered eng out to check pressure and flow of the boiler to know for sure that its all good.

 

[RidgeRacer]

Thank you. I'm waiting to hear back from my usual Gas Safe engineer who installed and services the boiler. However, if the cause is directly related to the smart meter installation, presumably SMS plc should be responsible for any problems they've caused?

 

[Aire]

Boilers only 3 years old, get the manufacturers out as it's under guarantee.

 

[Burger]

Boilers only 3 years old, get the manufacturers out as it's under guarantee.

I agree with Craig on this one as they may be able to determine if it’s a boiler fault or the gas meter, in either case it shouldn’t cost you.

 

[RidgeRacer]

Thanks everyone. I'll give Ideal a call tomorrow and see what they have to say.

 

[Stu-B]

Did they do elec meter too? Maybe check the polarity to the boiler

 

[Scott_D]

It’s possible your gas pipe was was always undersized.
The old meter setup was allowing enough pressure through and the new setup isn’t

 

[RidgeRacer]

Did they do elec meter too? Maybe check the polarity to the boiler

Yes, they did the electricity meter at the same time. Everything appears to be working as before, both gas and electricity, apart from this Flame Loss error every 6 - 8 hours or so. I'll mention this too.

It’s possible your gas pipe was was always undersized.
The old meter setup was allowing enough pressure through and the new setup isn’t

When the meter installer came back he checked the gas pressure at the meter (not sure exactly where or how - he had some long instrument with him), and said all was ok. Would a test at the meter show that, or would that be the pressure reaching the boiler itself?

 

[Scott_D]

Yes, they did the electricity meter at the same time. Everything appears to be working as before, both gas and electricity, apart from this Flame Loss error every 6 - 8 hours or so. I'll mention this too.



When the meter installer came back he checked the gas pressure at the meter (not sure exactly where or how - he had some long instrument with him), and said all was ok. Would a test at the meter show that, or would that be the pressure reaching the boiler itself?

Boiler. There is a test point below.
Is it a long way from the meter to boiler?

 

[RidgeRacer]

Is it a long way from the meter to boiler?

The pipe from the top of the gas meter to the back of the boiler is approx. 4 metres.

 

[Aire]

The pipe from the top of the gas meter to the back of the boiler is approx. 4 metres.

Is it in 22mm or 15mm?

 

[RidgeRacer]

Is it in 22mm or 15mm?

22mm

 

[RidgeRacer]

My Gas Safe engineer has replied and said it sounds like the meter installer either didn't purge the system or somehow the gas valve is damaged and not letting the right amount of gas into the combustion chamber. Or (very unlikely) the fan is faulty and not mixing the air and gas well. He say's worst case scenario, might have to replace the gas valve, and best case, this will stop after a while. He's offered to come and have a quick look so hopefully he'll find out what's going on.

 

[Stu-B]

Dig out your warranty info, there’s 7 years on those boilers, dont be forking out any cash on repairs