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Discuss Help! Do I really need a new boiler? in the Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board area at PlumbersForums.net

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Hi all,

I am in need of some help asap, so any comments will be much appreciated. I've also attached a couple of photos.

Warning: this might be a little long but here it comes...

I have been living in a flat for the past two years. It has a Vaillant Turbomax (VUW GB 242/2-5 R2) which has not been serviced since I've moved in (whoops). The previous tenants didn't leave any service log but on the boiler it suggests it was last serviced in 2004! So, I called a plumber to have a service done, and also to get the pressure gauge sorted as its currently on zero. However despite the low pressure I still get hot water, with no error message on the boiler!

The plumber had basically said I'd be wasting my money by doing a service on such an old boiler, as certain components need replacing etc. He continued on to say he was surprised that the boiler has been working given 1) pressure is on zero and 2) it hadn't been serviced in ages. He pointed out what he called signs of 'combustion' (black/smokey marks on the inside of the boiler), water leakage and worn pipes.

Despite all of this the boiler still provides hot water, but I'm not sure whether I should get a new one now, or wait till it packs in?

Looking for some opinions/help on this decision.

Cheers,
NewBee

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the auto air vent is easy enough part to sort but its the staining thats concerning did he leave the boiler on ?

i would get a second opinion
 
the auto air vent is easy enough part to sort but its the staining thats concerning did he leave the boiler on ?

i would get a second opinion

Hi ShaunCorbs.

Thanks for getting back to me. By staining I'm guessing you mean the pipes look bit worse for wear. The plumber advised I switch the boiler off.
 
The 'Black smokey marks'?
Any photo's?
It sounds serious but could be age/heat/dirt.
You need an experienced Engineer who can tell you what the 'Black Smokey marks' are caused by.
 
The 'Black smokey marks'?
Any photo's?
It sounds serious but could be age/heat/dirt.
You need an experienced Engineer who can tell you what the 'Black Smokey marks' are caused by.

Sorry 'Last Plumber' i have no photos of the smokey marks. The plumber thought that with the overall condition of the boiler it was best to keep it off. He recommended that I didn't use it.
 
they will be heat/dust marks on inside of outer casing imo,
air vent easy fix , good boilers
 
Sorry 'Last Plumber' i have no photos of the smokey marks. The plumber thought that with the overall condition of the boiler it was best to keep it off. He recommended that I didn't use it.
Well in my opinion it's a good Boiler and any Engineer worth his salt should be competent enough to decide whether something is safe or not. It should not be left entirely to you. I would advise you to get a second opinion as Shaun said.
 
It looks in better nick than a lot of newer boilers out there.
We service & repair Vaillants a lot older than yours (25+ years old), parts are not a problem either. Don't be mislead by all this "need a new one mate it is 10 years old".
Get yourself a Vaillant specialist to take a look & let them give it a bit of TLC & it will give many more years of service.
 
It looks in better nick than a lot of newer boilers out there.
We service & repair Vaillants a lot older than yours (25+ years old), parts are not a problem either. Don't be mislead by all this "need a new one mate it is 10 years old".
Get yourself a Vaillant specialist to take a look & let them give it a bit of TLC & it will give many more years of service.
Couldn't have put it better myself.
 
It looks in better nick than a lot of newer boilers out there.
We service & repair Vaillants a lot older than yours (25+ years old), parts are not a problem either. Don't be mislead by all this "need a new one mate it is 10 years old".
Get yourself a Vaillant specialist to take a look & let them give it a bit of TLC & it will give many more years of service.

Hey Chris - this is very reassuring to hear, and has eased some of my fears!

Not sure how to find a Vaillant specialist but I have contacted someone for a second opinion, hopefully they'll get back to me.

As for everyone else who has replied, and will reply, many thanks! The NewBee appreciates it :)
 
On a side issue (sorry) - one of our guys has had two separate old ecoTEC's this week, both still had the old silicone seals (G10) in place, both had failed & melted the inside of the boiler, so not economical to repair.
The amazing thing is each had a full service history, although the word service seems to mean different things to different people.
 
Hey Chris - this is very reassuring to hear, and has eased some of my fears!

Not sure how to find a Vaillant specialist but I have contacted someone for a second opinion, hopefully they'll get back to me.

As for everyone else who has replied, and will reply, many thanks! The NewBee appreciates it :)
What area are you ?
 
On a side issue (sorry) - one of our guys has had two separate old ecoTEC's this week, both still had the old silicone seals (G10) in place, both had failed & melted the inside of the boiler, so not economical to repair.
The amazing thing is each had a full service history, although the word service seems to mean different things to different people.
You mean the Silicone seal that Vaillant had an issue with and sent installers as many graphite Gaskets as they had Boilers for and paid those installers to go replace them?
Now you are going back a bit.
 
You mean the Silicone seal that Vaillant had an issue with and sent installers as many graphite Gaskets as they had Boilers for and paid those installers to go replace them?
Now you are going back a bit.
Amazing after all that & it clearly states they need to be replaced when the burner is removed. Cos if you don't ever look inside the combustion chamber !! Sad isn't it.
What do you say to this guy who has had it serviced every year or so he thinks.
 
On a side issue (sorry) - one of our guys has had two separate old ecoTEC's this week, both still had the old silicone seals (G10) in place, both had failed & melted the inside of the boiler, so not economical to repair.
The amazing thing is each had a full service history, although the word service seems to mean different things to different people.
That reminds me . I must replace my own. ,!
10 years on the same seal
 
Amazing after all that & it clearly states they need to be replaced when the burner is removed. Cos if you don't ever look inside the combustion chamber !! Sad isn't it.
What do you say to this guy who has had it serviced every year or so he thinks.
I come across it a lot. Particularly in Council Buildings where they spend small fortunes on Service contracts and nothing gets done.
The last one I went to looked as though no-one had touched it in 20 years. Paperwork was all in place though.
 
There's an implication from the original post that the property is tenanted ("... the previous tenants...". If this is the case then:
1. It is for the landlord to sort out the boiler, not the tenant.
2. It is a legal requirement for the landlord to provide a gas safety certificate every year.
 
Agreed, I think my esteemed collegues had missed that you're a tenant, you shouldn't be opening up the boiler or calling a plumber, that's down to the heating engineet and landlord.
 
Agreed, I think my esteemed collegues had missed that you're a tenant, you shouldn't be opening up the boiler or calling a plumber, that's down to the heating engineet and landlord.

Sorry steadyon and gmartine - the previous people in the flat were tenants, I am now the homeowner - but I do take your point on the fact that the previous landlord should have provided a gas safety certificate. I was a first time buyer and wasn't aware of the legal requirements that the previous landlord should have abided by.
 
Perhaps I should have added "respectively" in my last comment. As a homeowner you shouldn't be opening the boiler casing up at all to investigate. It seem's you've received some decent advice and that the boiler appears to be viable in which case get a second or third engineer in for a second opinion.
 
Perhaps I should have added "respectively" in my last comment. As a homeowner you shouldn't be opening the boiler casing up at all to investigate. It seem's you've received some decent advice and that the boiler appears to be viable in which case get a second or third engineer in for a second opinion.

I agree gmartine. Thanks for getting in touch!
 
Hi all,

I had another plumber come around for a second opinion, and wanted to keep you guys posted - in case you were interested.

In a nutshell he said the leak is fixable and some 'spark' bits need changing, and will give it a service. He did say any further issues going forward and it will probably be best to get a new boiler. So, I've opted for the temporary fix and will wait till the boiler eventually packs in before getting a new one.

He did say it was safe to use in the meantime as there was no gas leak and/or major leakage. This means I can shower - thank god!

NewBee
 
For future reference Newbee, as leelister6 mentioned above, there is a very good 'Find an Installer' link on the Vaillant website where you can search for your local Vaillant specialist to come and have a look. You can also use it to find someone to service or repair, not just 'install'. Just because the boiler is 10+ years old doesn't mean it won't give you many more years of use as long as it is maintained on an annual basis by someone who is aware of Vaillant's recommendations for how to service your boiler properly.
 

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