Spent a bunch of time in the basement this weekend hooking up a new washer dryer and basically just cleaning the place up. I noticed that our boiler, whenever it kicks in, will take 3 startups before going. You’ll hear it click on, fire up, then a second later shut off. A second later, repeat, then one more time where it will then kick in for it’s usual few minutes or so.
Any thoughts on what would be causing that? Thermostat? We’re overdue to get a digital thermostat anyways…this is probably a good excuse to do so.
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Had a similiar situation on another house of ours and turned out to be a thromasensor (maybe wrong name) but in any case what it does is sense the heat of the ignited burner and signals the valve to stay open.
I understand it this way---gas comes on, igiter sparks, burner ignites and sensor reads this heat to allow the process to continue till the thermastate cancels the call for heat.
If the sensor is not working the process repeats so that unburned gas doesn't just keep leaking.
Mike
" I reject your reality and substitute my own"
Adam Savage---Mythbusters
Mikes got one answer for sure. On our boiler the flame sensor will pull this #### on occasion. I have a backup ready to install. Have heard you can "clean up" the sensor by lightly sanding it. Be careful in removal and replacement, on boilers with an igniter rather than pilot, the sensor is located just above the fragile igniter.
On our boiler, three tries then a lock out occurs. You need to cut power and then turn back on to reset the controls.
Another possibility is the "brain" of the unit and on occasion, other various sensing parts. To troubleshoot a potential cause, there might be a troubleshooting section in the instructions which goes through steps to take to isolate the problem. So, a good boiler guy is by far the more expensive (unless you waste your time and money just buying parts to try) but the best idea in solving this problem.
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Having spend an entire day off work one winter morning looking for the very specific pressure valve that decided to spring a leak one day, I appreciate the value of bringing in a furnace guy to do it for me. ;o)Thanks for the advice! Will be putting in a phone call soon...