Time for a new hot water cylinder? (foam cracks and bulges)

[WesternPathfinder]

My immersion heater has stopped working (fuse trips when I switch it on). I was planning to check/replace elements myself but having had a look at cylinder, fear problem may be more serious.

The cylinder foam is distorted and cracked in two places. The foam bulges out perhaps 1cm around the cracks



(The hole is the result of me investigating)

Does this suggest the cylinder has had it? Before the immersion packed up, it was slightly noisier than usual.

All advice much appreciated.

 

[rpm]

Put it this way, if there is a problem it's gonna be messy when it leaks.

 

[Riley]

I’d get someone out to second opinion but I’ve often seen foam on a really old cylinder crack with no obvious damage to the cylinder itself. Just heat causing it to get brittle

 

[Best]

Sometimes the foam does bulge out.
Can happen if water leaks from a joint somewhere and goes behind the foam then probably steams it out in a bulge

 

[Welder]

Fact is, if the foam is delaminating it is not insulating.
Modern cylinders, especially if you specify 'economy 7' foaming have insulation that's a good twice (prob closer to 4x) as efficent as the old one you have.
At the ever rising price of energy I believe you'll be paid back in energy costs never mind peace of mind.

Oh I forgot. Often the element is impossible to remove without damaging the cylinder.

 

[WesternPathfinder]

Thanks all. Sounds like I need to get it inspected as a first step.

 

[Rob Foster]

My immersion heater has stopped working (fuse trips when I switch it on). I was planning to check/replace elements myself but having had a look at cylinder, fear problem may be more serious.

The cylinder foam is distorted and cracked in two places. The foam bulges out perhaps 1cm around the cracks

View attachment 36615 View attachment 36616

(The hole is the result of me investigating)

Does this suggest the cylinder has had it? Before the immersion packed up, it was slightly noisier than usual.

All advice much appreciated.

change immersion first see what happens..do you know how to do an immersion ?
centralheatking

 

[WesternPathfinder]

I've never replaced an element before, but having done some research and seen what's involved, it's a job I'm willing to tackle.

 

[Rob Foster]

I've never replaced an element before, but having done some research and seen what's involved, it's a job I'm willing to tackle.

ok....centralheatking guide to changing immersion heater element...others will chip in
turn cold water supply off to cylinder, let a couple of litres water out of hot tap. Leave rest of water in cylinder to keep it strong. turn lecky off and undo the 3 wires then with proper immersion box spanner undo immersion, it will resist,,, smart tap with decent hammer.
a little bit of water might appear as you undo unit. remove unit ...measure it and or go to plumbers merchant not bq get like for like plus a new stat. and small tub of boss white. smear boss white on thread carefully hand twist unit back into cylinder then nip up with box spanner. turn water on check for leak. re connect wires switch on listen to unit heating up. check temp and adjust thermo as required . sit down pat self on back open 1st of 4 beers bought on way back from plumbers merchant
Rob Foster aka centralheatking

 

[WesternPathfinder]

Thanks for the clear guide, Rob. That sounds do-able. Especially the last stage.