Any chance of removing snapped refill key from boiler?

[Eurosceptic]

Hi

I used the plastic key to add sone water to Worcester Bosch 30CDi but key snapped when I tried to remove it. (Photos attached)

You can see it’s the round section with the O rings that’s lodged in the filling loop mechanism.

Pretty certain I’d twisted it back to the original position so no leaks etc.

I know I can probably “just leave it”, but what happens if I need to refill down the line?

I’ve tried all manner of scissors, screws and pliers to remove but no cigar. Is there anything else I can try? Ie what would gurus on here do in this situation?

Thank you.

 

[dilalio]

Fit an eternal filling loop.

 

[blup]

You may be able to get a screw extractor in

 

[kidgreen61]

Assuming it's fully inserted, just leave it, you will use the the square white tap to refill boiler.
Replacing the whole assembly is only a 10 min job.

 

[Eurosceptic]

Assuming it's fully inserted, just leave it, you will use the the square white tap to refill boiler.
Replacing the whole assembly is only a 10 min job.

Thanks. I know about the square tap as used this to refill boiler. The problem is I don’t think I can now refill as the key is back in default position. (Open?)

Also when “10 min job” is alluded to above, is that to replace the current one or an external loop?

Many thanks again.

 

[Eurosceptic]

Probably should have said closed position in last post.

 

[dilalio]

Either take the filling loop out and try and remove broken key or, as said, just fit an external one.

Need to partially drain system so, however long it would take you is different to how long it would take me.
If you know how to form a vacuum should be around 30mins.

 

[Madrab]

The positions are locked and unlocked, not open/closed - one locks the key in position, the other allows the key to be removed. If I remember rightly though, as long as the key if fully inserted both will allow water to pass into the system.

 

[mattylad]

I had a snapped off one, left it in situ for years, nothing untoward happened.
I eventually used long nosed pliers to remove it.

 

[Eurosceptic]

I had a snapped off one, left it in situ for years, nothing untoward happened.
I eventually used long nosed pliers to remove it.

Thanks. As said earlier, tried wiggling all manner of things but no cigar. How did you achieve it with the pliers?

 

[Eurosceptic]

I had a snapped off one, left it in situ for years, nothing untoward happened.
I eventually used long nosed pliers to remove it.

Thanks. I’ve wiggled just about everything in the hole but no dice. How did you eventually remove with the pliers? Not sure they’re going to be any better than screws, drill bits and narrow pair of scissors already used?

 

[mattylad]

I cannot remember much about it but I think there were vertical bits of plastic I could grab hold of to then wiggle, rotate and pull down.
Long nosed pliers will be better than what you have suggested as they can grab the part firmly.

They are similar to these:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/magnusson-long-nose-pliers-8-200mm-/1133v

You could try that prior to actually getting the assembly replaced or a filling loop fitted.

 

[Madrab]

If the key had been in there fort a long time then there's a good chance it'll be stuck, they're known for doing that if left in too long, the o-rings get stuck to the plastic sides, unless it's actually still in the locked position of course.

 

[Eurosceptic]

I had a snapped off one, left it in situ for years, nothing untoward happened.
I eventually used long nosed pliers to remove it.

Thanks. I used all manner of pliers, scissors, screws, drill bits etc. Out of interest, how did you manoeuvre the long nosed pliers to shift the broken key? (Also have screw extractors, so have those to try too)

Regards

 

[Eurosceptic]

Apologies-didn’t see the hidden posts.