Vaillant Turbomax 242E Boiler failure... No hot water... DIY Repair (Diaphragm replacement) 

I 100% want to drive from wales to wherever this gentleman is and buy him several beers with the money I’ve saved for the amazing thing that he has done, posting this video. I’ve just replaced the diaphragm in my boiler, and apart from a hairy moment when I put the mains back on ( I hadn’t seated the diaphragm correctly) , I now have luscious hot water. Hats off to you sir!

Dizzy, firstly you saved me about £250 - £300 so massive thanks...can't tell you how happy I am. Thought I'd add my 2 penneth. 1: There's a black U-clip on the narrow pipe going into the side of the diverter valve. Don't break it, it keeps that pipe secure 2: Turn on the hot water tap before you start 3: I took the bottom section of the diverter valve off completely, I just could not get the diaphragm to sit right. 4: The concave ring around the outside points downwards (with the peak pointing upwards) 5: I used 2 pieces of electrical tape to hold the new diaphragm in place (I taped it to the upper section of the diverter valve - it sits snugly INSIDE its housing) 6: Easy now to slide the connector onto the heat exchanger without unseating the diaphragm 7: reset the screws lightly then pull the electrical tape away Tighten everything up and have a boiling hot shower. You're a legend Dizzy Howard. Thanks again.

Nice one. Had all the symptoms. Spent Christmas with hot water only when heating was on. Was 3 degrees outside but had to do the repair. Metered the switch and was good. So followed the instructions in the installation booklet and this excellent video. Alas when took out the diaphragm could not see anything wrong with it. Only when cleaned and stretched did I find the split and boy it was tiny. On the large pipe from the diverter where the union had to be undone I had to use two spanners as the pipe work wanted to move but it came undone and the washer snapped into two. Luckily I had a copper washer in my tool box of the exact same size. So with some Bosswhite on that joint and silicone grease on the rubber washers, I had no leaks and wonderful hot water once again. Its a easy job for those of use who can do plumbing etc. Well worth the £9.99 I paid for the genuine kit.

Somebody buy this man a drink, he deserves a few large ones. I've been in my house for 8 years and I've had to have this changed by various plumbers at least 3 times at approximately 100 quid a pop. I managed it on the 2nd attempt and I'm really chuffed with myself. About 45 mins in total. There's a clip on the other end of the arm you had the leak with. Remove that and it makes it easier to get the bottom of the valve back on. Oh and the hand cream (mentioned by Fran) to hold the diaphragm in place is a must. Thanks to everyone for the info.

This guy's commentary is brilliant. He should bring out a DIY DVD. Now my turn...

Thanks for this video.. I've fixed mine and swerved the hefty price tag of a new boiler which was recommended buy one plumber. It's also worth cleaning out the diverter valve as much as you can while on and remove limescale. You've helped me out no end anyway, big thanks ☺

My boiler has just started doing the same thing, same model, ordered a new diaphragm and going to give this a pop later in the week, if I can get this sorted I'll be forever grateful, will report back later in the week!

Mate, I dont know if you are still around, but if I travelled across the country to buy you a pint it would still only cost a fraction of what I have just saved by coming across this video! All I needed to know, all made sense and £7 for a diaphragm later we have hot water without needing to run the central heating. Thank you again!

King of men you are!!!! You just helped me fix my boiler on a cold friday night after a baltic cold day working outside!!

You utter godsend! I've had this issue for a while and just lived with it. Got fed up with it as it now takes about ten goes turning it on and off again to get it to click on. Parts ordered. Hopefully sorted next weekend when they arrive. Cheers again.

OK back again with no hot water. I changed the diaphragm once again but alarm bells started ringing when I couldn't see any holes in it and sure enough it made no difference. I took it apart again to make sure I'd done it right but wasn't the problem. I then noticed a little micro switch behind the control panel that wasn't quite making contact when I turned on the hot water tap. I took it out, bent it a little and put it back in. Worked a treat, job done! (sorry Mr Plumber)

Inspired me to have a go and although a new diverter didn't sort the problem I had the bottle to then take off the secondary (DHW) heat exchanger and rinse out all the gunk that was inside. Now sorted. Thanks.

Thank you, this was a useful description of basic procedure.

Excellent thanks for taking the time and effort to do💜👍

you're right, you don't need to turn the isolation valves off for the heating.... be careful in the future with them, they are prone to leaking!

cheers for this, did mine today. Used a bit of hand cream to hold the new diaphragm in place while putting the bottom of the valve back on.

Big thanks mate! Been a year without hot water, took us three attempts got there in the end. Going to get some bubble bath and have me a long bath.cheers

brill video kid.. esp the boiler engineer doing a runner.. had me in stitches have the same prob at the mo..heating to hot water sw..

Fixed mine and it worked but there is also another Nov you need to turn off at the front centre next to the heat exchanger it will stop the dripping while you get some instant gasket on the two pieces you screw together apart from that whole thing worked great thanks for the tip back up and running for 13 pound diaphragm repair kit😁

Good Video and initiative specially when "the expert" jumped ship. Well done and keep on having a go just be safe and move slowly and surely. Good PMA.

Love the have a go attitude well done mate get that leak sorted with some silicone pipe sealant!

little tip if its just the diaphragm your changing you dont need to empty the pressure from the central heating system as the diaphragm is on the mains water side

brilliant deadpan delivery!!

Great video howard lets have a go at this....its time to fix the freezing cold water

Not all hero's wear capes ..... Thankyou

you, sir- are the bees fookin knees. Best damn how to Ive seen. My boiler's now sorted- badabing.

Great vid attempting mine tomorrow stuck screwdriver in microswitch next to it and it fired up so I think your right thanks alot

Thanks from Italy!

This is a great video.

You are a legend..... Many thanks

Nice job man! :)

It looks pretty much like our boiler, which has been doing the same thing (although I cannot find the model label). We had a guy come and repair it (who said it was fiddly to fix), but it's since started doing the same thing again (after about 7 months). The landlord says he will pay for a new boiler for us, but now I feel bad knowing it's a £8-10 part to fix the old one. I suppose in the long run it will cost a fair bit in repairs, and efficiency-wise a new boiler will be better.

Back 4 years later lol by now our boiler is 19 years old and counting again this time Micro switch issue on mine. The plastic lug that lowers on to switch isn't coming down enough to activate/press the switch. When pressed by hand it fires up hmmm

nice 1 mate!!

I’m having a problem with the the same boiler no heating no hot water for a week .. showing gas valve engaged. Plumber came in at a cost of £120 saying “ I need anew boiler.. this boiler is so old” problem not solved! I think I should have a go and see

changed mine, but got water squirting from the diverter valve like the two parts no longer seal. Any ideas?

should be able to get round swing issue if you undo the nut forward of the one currently leaking..

I know it's an old video, but never open that preasure release valve! you might create a leak! I learnt that and had to replace it as would not seal correctly after!

never depressurise ffrom the release valve unlees you want to end up changing the pressure realease valve as the bed of the valve will more than lightly leak for ever afterwards due rubbish in the valve bed

Can you make a video on how to fix a boiler when it can't turn on

Where do you buy the diaphgram from?

Gas safe?

vaillant ecotec pro 28 F64 Fault:electronics/ntc flow or return ntc short circuited electronics defect code.F64