parkray g range problem

[garbetron]

[code][/code] hello to all ,i am hoping someone can help me? my parkray fire is dragging air from somewhere the cokes are constantly glowing red, my hot water is spitting out of tap its far too hot!!!!!! i am running water off 4 times a day due to banging pipes ! its been like this approx 2 wks now i darent leave the home too long incase it blows up, but have small children we need heat and hot water ! i have cleaned the inside of fire top to bottom hoovering out every bit ! soot etc , i know its not the fuel as ive used the same type for yrs now ,i think it could be the steel plate on the top ,the one that sits in the groove on side walls ? does anyone know if i could have done something when its been cleaned out, or were i could get a diagram of the internal workings to see if i have broke something ? many thanks ps....i had the parkray servised about 2 yrs ago ,and clean the chimney every 18 mths or so

[tom squires]

I am very experienced and have come across this problem often, you are correct to regard it as being serious because it is, you must resolve it, I advise that you seek professional help.
In the mean time the problem is caused by air being pulled from UNDER the fire bed, this can be via a number of ways BUT! and I know that you will not believe this, the normal problem is that the ashpit door is not closing properly, it only has to be open a fraction a fraction that you can’t see. Clean the area around the ashpit door and make sure it shuts with a CLUNK. I know you have just read this and said “no it’s not that” well I am saying that is the most likely problem and I have come across it hundreds of times and no one believes me.
The next most likely problem is the thermostat flap this is usually(not always) on the left of the appliance, when the fire / boiler heats up the flap closes, so if your fire is raging this flap should be shut, if it is not then the thermostat is faulty and it needs to be changed or checked by a professional.

Two perhaps more minor problems are these;-
a/ there are two holes under the ash pan, these holes are meant for the installer to screw the appliance down, but as the appliance is so heavy no one uses them, they let air into the appliance under the fire bed and so should be blocked of, use a bit of fire cement.
b/ there is a slide on the front of a Parkray to allow extra air into the appliance when there is a poor pull on the chimney, you have the opposite problem, so by means of the screw and slide shut this adjustable air inlet.

I am concerned that your Parkray has been overheated and parts have distorted and the advise I have given is too late, you must not let this overheating take place, or you may have an house fire, you need to resolve the problem without delay.

Just accept this, a Parkray (Glass Fronted Room Heater) will only run away (burn out of control) if it is getting air from under the firebed, So the question is where is it getting its air supply (It is one of the above)
Any air that enters over the firebed, perhaps by opening the main door will have opposite effect and will make fire die down.

[hugez]

i have a parkray chevin and have a similar but not so serious problem.
i am very familiar with its operation.
however, i had my chimney lined 6'' steel liner.
previously it had opened into a large victorian chimney..
it ran perfectly , especially long overnight burning...
now especially when windy, it burns at too higher rate to burn for long periods.
i've just checked inside for the fixing holes... cant see them.
already blocked adjustment hole on ashpit door.
airflow adjustment flap is in position with new felt...
at a loss really... but it definately wont shut down to tickover.
have installed a damper in the pipe.. that has helped but i dont like the idea of it..
this is free standing by the way... any help greatly appreciated
joe

[garbetron]

many thanks for the info i will take this onboard as prioroty!!!!!

[fiona]

can anyone tell me what the screw type looking 2 x 2 holes on fire front above the ashpit cover are ? i was told this is where the certain amount of air goes in that is needed for the fire to work. Also is there a site that can tell me with pictures as well about everything on the parkray consort 99 ?
Thanks Fiona