Opinions on Dispute

albert

Am I wrong to feel ripped off?

Here is the history of my recent experience with XXXXXX Heating and Cooling:

Oct 2, 2003 - Turned on heat - Boiler did not fire up - Pilot lit but main burners did not.

Called XXXXXX Heating and Cooling - Engineer 1 noted the following:

Work Report #1
Found pilot did not light, gas valve did not open, control module faulty. Replaced control

Bill for over $400

Unfortunately the "faulty part" went with the engineer and the work sheet incorrectly states that the
Pilot did not light.

Oct 8, 2003 - Turned on heat for second time - Boiler did not fire up - Pilot lit but main burners did not.

Called XXXXXX Heating and Cooling - Engineer 2 noted the following:

Work Report #2
Inspected and tested gas steam boiler and found pilot ignites but doesn't open main gas valves.
Cleaned flame sensor and boiler started working.

No charge

Oct 13, 2003 - Called XXXXXX Heating and Cooling to question if the part replaced by engineer 1 was really
needed:

Response was that after engineer #1 left I had heat and therefore the part was needed and the engineer
probably knocked some dirt into the flame sensor causing the problem on Oct 8th.

The boiler is a Weil-Mclain PEG 55 Series 3

Opinions please.

Steve Ebels

Sorry to hear

That you had a bad time with the repair. Asking whether you got ripped off or if the serviceman made the wrong diagnosis the first time is nearly impossible to say from here. There are too many variables and unknowns to offer a valid opinion over the web. I, for one at least, would have to be there and see what exactly went on to give you a firm conclusion. I know that's not what you wanted to hear but that would be my response to your question.

Mad Dog

Who knows Albert

Once a tech leaves, and things are working, who questions anything, right? They did come back again and didn't charge you, and as long as nothing happens again this year, you are probably even. Next time, you might want to ask the tech to prove to you or atleast explain why he thinks the part was bad. New customers do this with us frequently. Give the manager or owner a call and tell him how you feel. Hopefully, he'll throw ya a bone next time. Don't feel to bad....do you know how many companies would not return your call and just blow you off. It sounds like they did the right thing. Mad Dog

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Unknown

Dispute

Troubleshooting is an exercise in logic. Intermittant problems are the bane of the service technician. Changing out the gas valve seems to be a logical solution to your specific problem. $400 is not unreasonable for this service. (if the problem was solved) Dirt on the flame sensor seems unlikely but stranger things have happened. You might have a voltage problem but it's hard tro say without being there. REALLY hard to say.

The second guy that came out got the heat back on and did'nt charge you for it. That's pretty good service. You were NOT ripped off. IMHO

Gary Wallace AOL IM; Radiantfloors

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Steve Ebels

one thing doesn't seem right

On the service bill from number 2 guy he says the main valve did not open and he cleaned the flame sensor to remedy the situation. If and this is a big IF, this is the kind of flame sensor I'm thinking of, it does not prevent the gas valve from operating. What it does is shut off the gas valve in the event that it opens and no flame is detected. Again, that's if the burner has an electronic control. If it's just a regular standing pilot then there is no flame sensor per se'. Just the thermocouple in most cases. Does your boiler have an electronic ignition control?

tim smith_2

service dispute

Looking at the description of your post, 1st guy comes in and finds the pilot won't ignite, I am pretty sure from your post that this is electronic ignition. Guy puts on new ignition module and furnace works. If I read your post right it worked for a week. Now that tells me he did in fact find the main problem. The only thing I think he missed was he also should have cleaned the pilot and flame sensor at the same time, checked ground wires and connections for good contact and cycled several times for good ignition. It was a good thing they came back for free and corrected what they had missed. As far as I can tell i don't think you were ripped off, I just think something was missed that they came back and fixed.

albert

Thanks for all of the input - I am definitely feeling a lot better regarding the Service I received. Glad I found this site.