Boiler Heat Exchanger busted

[king of pipes]

Think it's best to put this down to experience and get the boiler changed for a new unit, I can't see this is going to have a satisfactory outcome otherwise . Kop

 

[Harvest Fields]

Think it's best to put this down to experience and get the boiler changed for a new unit, I can't see this is going to have a satisfactory outcome otherwise . Kop

I would concur.

 

[Suzan]

Well Bosch are saying they will come round and charge £315 in total to change anything that is needed to be changed? That includes heat exchanger, pump, etc. Would that be a good option?

 

[Mastermixlee]

If products of combustion were detected to be escaping the casing of the boiler then ID.
Easy to assume the worst with the reputation that goes along with your chosen company.

It's near impossible to diagnose the circulation issue precisely without being at the property.
There's an air release valve to bleed air from heat exchanger which may of not been used when refilling the system, which could be a contributing factor in the issue but definitely not the cause of the signs of heat stress and leaking present on heat exchanger.

Pipe shouldn't of been cut for what can be seen in pictures alone, as at face value it appears to be classed as "At Risk" which would still justify advice of turning off and not to use, but not physical disconnection of the gas supply.

Ultimately though the heat exchanger issue should definitely be attended to first. The heat exchanger is showing signs of excessive heat with the ribbing being quite apparent.

I'd get priced up (from a different company preferably) for heat exchanger renewal (along with burner seals etc) and request a water quality test to determine if a flush is also required.

Once you've got that information you need I'd then still consider the option of replacing the boiler purely from a financial perspective due to potential warranty benefits of changing it out for new.

If it were in my house id change the boiler but can understand why it is more suited to others to replace only the heat exchanger etc.

 

[Suzan]

Thanks Mastermixlee, I can get someone to come round and potentially do a water quality test/a flush. The plumber who put the rad in said he could refill the system with a cleaning chemical, and let it run through. He then spoke of adding a magnaclean. Bosch advised this should all be done before I call them out to get a new heat exchanger installed (along with anything else that boiler might need).

 

[Harvest Fields]

Well Bosch are saying they will come round and charge £315 in total to change anything that is needed to be changed? That includes heat exchanger, pump, etc. Would that be a good option?

You can but to me, a boiler in that condition needs changing. But it’s your call. A new boiler with possibly a 10 year warranty. Or repair the old one?

 

[Suzan]

I get what you're saying Harvest Fields. I'm selling the house so I'm in 2 minds about it and tbh it's only 5 years old... so with a complete refresh from Bosch I can't see too much harm getting it repaired with some fresh components. I equally could buy an Ideal or something for 900 or so and get it fitted... still means the system might need to be flushed out before this is all done.

 

[Harvest Fields]

I get what you're saying Harvest Fields. I'm selling the house so I'm in 2 minds about it and tbh it's only 5 years old... so with a complete refresh from Bosch I can't see too much harm getting it repaired with some fresh components. I equally could buy an Ideal or something for 900 or so and get it fitted... still means the system might need to be flushed out before this is all done.

True. If you go with Worcester. Get it in an email, that there are no hidden costs and that it will definitely be repaired. They will probably also want you to take out a 12 month insurance policy with them. Make sure this isn’t also extra.

 

[Harvest Fields]

If that is from dirty water. It will eventually do the same to the new one.

 

[Suzan]

They said I had 2 options, one being repair boiler all in all cost of £315, or take out yearly insurance of £375 part+lab+callout included. Will choose option 1 once system as been cleaned. Tbf maybe just using chemicals to flush the system out is enough rather than having to power flush?

 

[Suzan]

If that is from dirty water. It will eventually do the same to the new one.

Hence why cleaning the F&E tank will be a good idea basically, right?

 

[Harvest Fields]

They said I had 2 options, one being repair boiler all in all cost of £315, or take out yearly insurance of £375 part+lab+callout included. Will choose option 1 once system as been cleaned. Tbf maybe just using chemicals to flush the system out is enough rather than having to power flush?

Not in my experience. Only one way to tell though.
Nothing beats a powerflush

 

[Riley]

I get what you're saying Harvest Fields. I'm selling the house so I'm in 2 minds about it and tbh it's only 5 years old... so with a complete refresh from Bosch I can't see too much harm getting it repaired with some fresh components. I equally could buy an Ideal or something for 900 or so and get it fitted... still means the system might need to be flushed out before this is all done.

System would need a flush as part of install

 

[Suzan]

Hmm I guess. Hopefully it's just a bunch of airlocking/some sludge and a good clean with chemicals left to descale the system will be enough. Is flushing the system a hard thing to do (not power flush)? Shall we clean the F&E tank manually (remove any sludge before it's drained?)? Not entirely sure the full process A-Z of cleaning the system with chemicals (something like sentinal x300)?

 

[Suzan]

Bosch said they don't do a flush so advised to do this before they do an install of heat ex/any other parts