I've neglected cleaning my Buderus boiler (G124X, conventional). The first few times I had a tech out they said it was very clean and these boilers tend not to accumulate dirt like others.
Fast forward about 6 years. There was a $75 cleaning special from a reputable company so I got it done. Once again, the guy was impressed with how clean it was and said he didn't even need his boiler brush.
A few months later I started having problems with the boiler not lighting. If I flip the emergency power switch, wait a few secs then reset, it starts just fine for a while. Happens maybe 1-2x month. The DHW zone is calling for heat, pump running, automatic draft vent open. Just no flame. There is no LED indicator on the auto-pilot assembly (Honeywell S8600H) but I can hear it making a slight buzz every few seconds. Tapping it when it's not lighting does not help. Had to do a reset.
Does it sound like the auto-pilot needs to be replaced?
Also, I'd like to DIY clean the boiler going forward. I took at closer look at the burner tubes and saw some dust and a loose chunk of sediment causing a yellow flame. Otherwise they were burning very blue. Now I'm wondering if the thing was ever thoroughly cleaned. If I do the auto-pilot, I'd like to do my own vacuuming of the inside, check the igniter connection, etc.
I plan on turning off power, turn off gas at the boiler valve, disconnect the gas connections (red arrows) and remove the screws (blue arrows). I'm thinking that should allow me to pull the burner assembly out of the boiler. Does this sound right?
Thanks.
Fast forward about 6 years. There was a $75 cleaning special from a reputable company so I got it done. Once again, the guy was impressed with how clean it was and said he didn't even need his boiler brush.
A few months later I started having problems with the boiler not lighting. If I flip the emergency power switch, wait a few secs then reset, it starts just fine for a while. Happens maybe 1-2x month. The DHW zone is calling for heat, pump running, automatic draft vent open. Just no flame. There is no LED indicator on the auto-pilot assembly (Honeywell S8600H) but I can hear it making a slight buzz every few seconds. Tapping it when it's not lighting does not help. Had to do a reset.
Does it sound like the auto-pilot needs to be replaced?
Also, I'd like to DIY clean the boiler going forward. I took at closer look at the burner tubes and saw some dust and a loose chunk of sediment causing a yellow flame. Otherwise they were burning very blue. Now I'm wondering if the thing was ever thoroughly cleaned. If I do the auto-pilot, I'd like to do my own vacuuming of the inside, check the igniter connection, etc.
I plan on turning off power, turn off gas at the boiler valve, disconnect the gas connections (red arrows) and remove the screws (blue arrows). I'm thinking that should allow me to pull the burner assembly out of the boiler. Does this sound right?
Thanks.