Boiler Small Water Leak

[fabian9]

New member here, hope it’s ok to post this question.

We live in France and have recently bought a house. Last winter the heating wasn’t working great, and we noticed the boiler water pressure kept dropping relatively quickly. We would top it up about once per week to keep it running. Clearly there must be a leak somewhere in the system for water to escape.

We have had two plumbers over, who both recommended to fit a new boiler at a significant cost. I got the impression they were both trying their luck a bit (foreigner in France, recently bought house, “hey let’s try to sell them a new heating system”). I’m after a more objective view, so hopefully you will be able to help.

Are there any common causes for small water leaks in a boiler? There is some evidence of water dropping out below the combustion chamber (see photo). If the combustion chamber is faulty, is it normally economical to replace it, or absolutely not?

Thanks in advance for your help,

Fabian

 

[CBW]

Good afternoon Fabian, I personally wouldn’t renew an expensive part to a boiler, unless it was deemed worth saving (I’ve heard Chaffateaux boilers aren’t the best). It could be that parts aren’t available for that boiler in France? Also some covers aren’t supposed to be taken off if they can affect the combustion circuit, yours might.

 

[ianmcd]

It could be that parts aren’t available for that boiler in France?

Well they are made in France Chris, so think they might be available , hope you are well mate, OP that is a problem that needs to be addressed, but unlikely to be the cause of your pressure problem, locate the pressure releif valve outlet (PRV) and tie a bag or a balloon or something over the out let and see if it collects any water

 

[CBW]

I would have thought they should be available being french, wasn’t sure if they were made in China though? Not bad thanks mate, hope you are well too?

 

[fabian9]

Thanks a lot for your help guys!

Could this hose be the PRV outlet (see attached photo)?

 

[ianmcd]

no that is not it, what model of C&M do you have and I will tell you where to locate it, and as already advised you really shouldnt be messing around inside that part of the boiler

 

[CBW]

Seleria Green?

 

[fabian9]

Seleria Green?

Yes, that’s the one!

 

[CBW]

You’re looking for a small bore pipe (usually 15mm) that discharges to outside and usually points back to the wall.

 

[ianmcd]

I think you have the Centora green so when looking at the boiler the pipe furthest right, should be 15 mm followr or disconect that and see if water comes out when the heating is on

 

[fabian9]

So it’s a CX Serelia Green, here is a schematic of the piping.

 

[CBW]

So it’s a CX Serelia Green, here is a schematic of the piping.

So it should be number 18, soupape sanitaire (with the red cap on).

 

[fabian9]

Thanks a lot for your help - I feel somewhat more prepared now for the next boiler engineer visit.