Heating Problem

[GerTee]

Hi All

We’re looking for a bit of advice here at Team GerTee. I kicked Himself out of bed this morning to set our heating in motion as it was a tad nippy (and definitely a ‘blue’ job) in the New Forest this morning. Now we’ve never had any problems with our heating before, but this morning it started up as usual, but stopped after around a minute. We tried the usual, switch it off and on again, same thing. Himself then noticed that there was no air blowing out of the vents and that the lights on the control panel all looked normal.

After a little while cogitating in bed, Himself decided a little basic engineering might help. So off he went and started the heating again, this time assisted by some firm tapping (with a hard object) on what he thought was the blower fan. This time the heating stayed on and whilst slow to get going, eventually the hot air was positively whooshing out of the vents.

The heating unit is a Truma Combi 4E.

So, some questions to the assembled forum:

Has anyone else experienced this problem and if they did how was it fixed?

Are these units repairable? When we originally got the van from the dealer we were told that the Truma units did not need an annual service as there were no user serviceable parts.

Looking at the unit itself (see picture) to get the front panel off you need to disconnect the gas so I’m assuming that we’ll need to find a Gas Safe (or whatever the motorhome equivalent is) engineer to do the work for us, if it’s possible to repair the unit. Can anyone recommend a good engineer of this type in South Hampshire.

Any advice on our best way forward would be much appreciated.

Many thanks

Team GerTee

 

[MikeD]

Were you running it on Gas or EHU?

 

[GerTee]

We were on Gas.

 

[MikeD]

I am not a Truma expert but I also think there are no service requirements for the boiler.

Did you get any flashing lights up?

 

[GerTee]

If the flash codes refer to the lights on the normal control panel then no, we didn't see any. If they refer to a panel on the boiler itself, then given the way it's installed in our van it would be nigh on impossible to see them.

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[MikeD]

I had to totally strip the rear of our IH to remove the boiler - it was a total pain in the nether regions.

Why do makers install boilers like that.

 

[PeteH]

I had to totally strip the rear of our IH to remove the boiler - it was a total pain in the nether regions.

Why do makers install boilers like that.

Same in my last one too. This ones only marginally better.

I`ve "got away" with spraying silicone lubricant on fans before. But that is for you to decide.

 

[Janine]

Basic question but was the thermostat set high enough?

 

[Jev88]

Can you access the fan PCB to see if receiving 12v?
This can highlight poor wiring to it (I found an old scotch lock once).
If voltage is higher can show that fan bearings are worn and it is trying to pull extra amps to get spinning (which will cook your PCB or fuse eventually).
I am referring to an older model but assume similar problems can arise with electrical supply to fan.

I was able to source the whole refurb fan assembly on eBay but in my MH requires four elbows and a fair bit of swearing to get out.

 

[Russell's Dad]

Basic question but was the thermostat set high enough?

What she says.

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[Janine]

What she says.

I might or might not have made this mistake when firing-up my home heating yesterday

 

[tonka]

The fact that it was "tapped" and started sound to me like a sticking fan. If you can get access someway a drop of lubrication on the fan bearings may be all it needs.

 

[PaddyM]

When we were at Centenary last month we used a mobile repair guy who was v competent , maybe ask at reception for his number ?

 

[Gerby]

The fact that it was "tapped" and started sound to me like a sticking fan. If you can get access someway a drop of lubrication on the fan bearings may be all it needs.

Agree with this one, if this is the first time you have used it for a while it may just have been a sticking fan and quite often the tap to release it and allowing it to run for a while may be enough, when the fan is on just check that there are no noises indicating that the fan is catching on anything when running.

 

[GerTee]

Basic question but was the thermostat set high enough?

Yes it was, the heating came on OK, but then shutdown after about a minute.

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[GerTee]

Agree with this one, if this is the first time you have used it for a while it may just have been a sticking fan and quite often the tap to release it and allowing it to run for a while may be enough, when the fan is on just check that there are no noises indicating that the fan is catching on anything when running.

We had used the heating with no problems the day before. My feeling is that it's something that 'stuck' which needs a bit of lubrication. I'll have a look around the boiler again today to see if there's anything obvious to spray.

 

[MikeD]

I wonder if you have a gummed up regulator in the gas locker. It might be supplying enough gas for the cooker but not enough for the boiler. The boiler fired up but then detected there was not enough gas flow for it to run.

There was a thread a while ago about this

Another Gas Problem- Adria

Hi all first time away in our Adria Matrix it seems we can only use either the oven or the hob when I try turning both on they both cut out is there a way to solve this ?? thanks

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[RustyRuss]

Plus one for the gas regulator being gummed up. Bearings on the fan needing lube is also a possibility, can you get at the brushes or the commutator on the fan? Might need a little fettle with some wet n dry paper?

Let us know for future reference how you solved the problem!!

Cheers!

Russ

 

[jessthedog]

After a little while cogitating in bed, Himself decided a little basic engineering might help. So off he went and started the heating again, this time assisted by some firm tapping (with a hard object) on what he thought was the blower fan.

A man after my own heart
"If in doubt, give it a clout, the bigger the doubt, the bigger the clout"