Warmflow Utility 90 HE Combi Leaking and losing pressure...

[gtd65]

Our not so trusty but very efficient Warmflow is currently incontinent!

Over the past 10 years, I've tightened all the fittings, installed new fibre washers ad nauseum, replaced the expansion tank, the flow meter and just this week the PRV.

The boiler is losing water somewhere but looking at all the listed fittings in the manual (and according to Warmflow) they're all on the top side of the boiler, however, in some threads I'm seeing the following information:

"if a combi there is a stupid pipe hidden down the back that has a tendency to leak, and give the impression that its the hex"
Source URL: warmflow boiler - primary heat exchanger of the appliance corroded - https://www.plumbersforums.net/threads/warmflow-boiler-primary-heat-exchanger-of-the-appliance-corroded.68353/

Can anybody shed any light on this?

How do you located and access the pipe hidden down the back?

 

[gtd65]

Well I had my pal round that works on boilers for a living. The leak seems to be somewhere in the crevice between the primary heat exchanger and the heat store?

It's a bloody tricky area of the boiler to see anything at all, so whether it's the heat exchanger or the heat store we've no idea right now. Sealant has been used to see if that helps but so far, it's still incontinent.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

CT1 Miracle Seal and Corrosive Inhibitor, 250ml: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

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try this

 

[gtd65]

CT1 Miracle Seal and Corrosive Inhibitor, 250ml: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders. Shop CT1 Miracle Seal and Corrosive Inhibitor, 250ml.

www.amazon.co.uk

try this

He did put in some other brand of sealer but looks like it's still weeping out somewhere.

Is that one that particularly effective? Assuming it could be fixed by such a method?

 

[SimonG]

Nothing from the auto air vents?

Have you stripped back the insulation?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

He did put in some other brand of sealer but looks like it's still weeping out somewhere.

Is that one that particularly effective? Assuming it could be fixed by such a method?

It’s very good claims to fix all leaks

 

[gtd65]

Nothing from the auto air vents?

Have you stripped back the insulation?

Here's some photos of the boiler

Three x auto air vents
[automerge]1598390624[/automerge]
Here's the area where the water is collecting
[automerge]1598390802[/automerge]
I don't feel there's any significant leaking from the auto air vents but you can see over time there's definitely been some bleeding.

The crevice between the primary heat exchanger and the heat store is a bugger to get access to for viewing.

I could possibly remove more insulation material to get a better view, are there any "known" areas where these things leak for me to narrow down the removal area?
[automerge]1598391154[/automerge]
I took a snap of the manual page showing the layout of the components
[automerge]1598441530[/automerge]
Well, the floor of the boiler was pretty dry this morning.

Perhaps the leak sealant has made a difference?

After having a further look, it appears that it might be the heat store that's corroded and then the water mists over onto the primary heat exchanger. I took a photo with my endoscope but it's not the best picture.

 

[SimonG]

I was going to say earlier it's probably buggered, but the leak sealer may buy you some time.

 

[gtd65]

Here's what I think is the leak...

[automerge]1598448068[/automerge]

I was going to say earlier it's probably buggered, but the leak sealer may buy you some time.

Yeah it's more than likely just going to delay the inevitable.

 

[SJB060685]

I have known some get replacement stores and replace.

 

[SimonG]

Looked at doing the same for a couple of old worcesters, parts are extortionate.

 

[SJB060685]

Looked at doing the same for a couple of old worcesters, parts are extortionate.

My old man and I were service engineers, not installers. If possible we would always keep a boiler running.