Baxi Bermuda 551 - Pilot light turning off

[ColdSarah]

Hi everyone,

I am hoping for a bit of advice as to what might be wrong and how much it should cost to fix this!

We have a Baxi Bermuda 551 and the pilot light is hard to light and just keeps on going out. When it is lit the tip of the flame is orange.

I have called around some local gas safe people and the one who can make it tomorrow says it's probably the thermocouple and including parts it should come to about £80. Does that sound about right?

Also, we only moved in in the summer and completely forgot to get it serviced. Duh! So that definitely needs doing to keep it working well. However, we are planning on getting a new combi boiler in the upcoming months as we want to knock down the wall where the boiler is and get rid of the hot water tank to make space.

The guy I spoke can't service it until January, but he said he'd have a look and advise us on whether it needs doing or if it can wait until we sort out a new one.

Maybe I should keep phoning around and see if I can find someone who could service it sooner rather than later if it needs doing?

If it does need servicing, how much do you think should that cost?

I haven't got a clue so any advice is welcome thank you!

 

[ColdSarah]

Just spoke to another guy who says it sounds like it needs a service and he's quoted £50 for that. He's newly self employed after working for some company and just lives round the corner.

 

[OwainDIYer]

Check the £50 person is Gas Safe Registered (on the gas safe website) to work self-employed and is not still using his former employer's registration.

Although the boiler might not need servicing, it definately should be checked for safety ASAP as they can be lethal if not maintained properly.

 

[lightning]

If I service a bbu it's worth changing the thermocouple at the same time

Paul

 

[ColdSarah]

Hi Owain,

Thanks for your reply.

I found their numbers from the Gas Safe website, so I assume they're certified.

We have a carbon monoxide alarm in the same room as the fire and boiler, right next to it, and the batteries are working fine.

 

[ColdSarah]

Thanks Paul, what do you think of the pricing there?

 

[gas112]

50 quid to keep you nice warm and alive ,
Got to be a rip off at that price

 

[45yearsagasman]

£50 for a bbu service! You get what you pay for.

 

[gas112]

Why that 45gas ??? some people do them without fannying about unlike some who seem to try and make it sound like rocket science.
One of the easiest jobs out there

 

[Boilerman2]

Especially if you leave the fire front on!! £50 seems a bit cheap to me!!

 

[45yearsagasman]

Especially if you leave the fire front on!! £50 seems a bit cheap to me!!

Exactly my point. I know some who charge £84

Gas112, I realise that it's easy work, but £50 is very cheap for that job no matter where.

 

[Rampage77]

He's probably cheap because she said he is just starting out self employed. I don't think £50 for an hours work is that bad. If he is starting out he may be looking for any work possible.

 

[dreadnoughtheating]

I don't think £50 for an hours work is that bad.

An hour?, to do it properly?, it is two separate appliances after all... smoke pellets/matches. moving the sideboard to check the wall/window vent is not clingfilmed, warming of flue etc etc. 90 mins minimum. £65 plus VAT minimum... (not fancy Lunnon prices round here).

DH

 

[gas112]

90 minutes for a 551 get real even a new starter should not be taking that amount of time
A 551 can be completley stripped down in under 5 mins and i do mean completely.
Its a bread and butter job

 

[oph]

Readings posts like this and the tard with the turbomax reminds me why i dont bother venturing into the p &h forum......