Condensate Pipe Advice

[StevieE]

Hi All, I have an Ariston ACO 32 MFFI condensing boiler that is losing pressure. Engineer has looked at it several times without resolving the issue. Proved it's not the Prv and he has changed the condensate trap. I informed him that the condensate pipe drips whether the boiler is running or not. Even if the boiler has been off all night the condensate drips every 5-10 secs. He said the boiler has to be off for days. Unable to prove this as it's Baltic outside. Is he right or not wanting to do repair under warranty. Any advice appreciated.

[JimH]

I'm sure the experts here will help you Stevie. You don't say wheather your pipework, radiators etc have been checked for leaks... they'll need that infomation? As for the condensate water constantly dripping, even when off all night... I would doubt it, at least, I know mine doesn't? Are you sure it's coming from the condensate pipe and not the PRV overflow pipe?

[StevieE]

Thanks for replying. I've checked all the valves and exposed pipes and no visable signs of leaks. Considering its been losing pressure for a couple of months and getting worse any leak between the floors should be showing. The condensate pipe has flexible pipe from boiler sitting inside a tumdish so there is an air break and you can see it dripping into the White plastic pipe which runs outside down the wall and is buried. The Prv is a copper pipe. I had a plastic bag over the end of the pipe for two days and no water appeared despite losing pressure.

[JimH]

Sounds like you have an interal leak in the boiler or connecting pipes... if it's under warranty I'd get the engineer back.

[gas man]

sounds to me like your main heat exchanger has failed,boiler may be a write off

[JimH]

sounds to me like your main heat exchanger has failed,boiler may be a write off

I didn't wan't to be the one who said it gas man

[GQuigley67]

sounds to me like your main heat exchanger has failed,boiler may be a write off

what do you mean failed ? I'm just curious

[gas man]

its burst,the heat exchanger,system water is going down the condensate

[StevieE]

Thanks everyone. I phoned British Gas and because the boiler is still working they won't send an engineer till next Wednesday. I'll try to nurse it till then. Any tips on how to deal with engineer who refuses to believe the obvious.

[gas man]

ask him is he blind? or stupid if the flexy section coming off the bottom of your boilers heat exchanger still drips water after its been off all night,the heat exchangers failed its quite simple

[so-solar]

The condensate has nothing to do with the pressure loss, but as gas man says, if it is dripping whilst off then either you have a leak within the boiler from a fitting/valve or the dreaded heat exchanger is popped!

[gas man]

they are known to fail on the aco,its not a good boiler sadly as i found out fitted a few a couple of years back

[StevieE]

Hi everyone, just a quick update. The third British Gas Engineer diagnosed the heat exchanger failed within minutes of entering the property. So it's not just cowboys you have to be aware of but false and misleading advice from national companies. Heat exchanger replaced and now working fine. Thanks for the sound advice.