Baxi Solo 15 has water jet (leak) from plugged port top left hand side

[joecoie]

Hi, I've a 16 year old Baxi Solo 15 HE.
Seems the boiler stopped running since 1 & 1/2 days ago- it tries to start up but locks out. There is water leaking onto the floor - just a small drip but consistently. I took off the outer case & the air box door panel; after a lot of searching I found the leak is running down the inside of the air box door panel on the rear of the left hand side. The leak is a jet of water originating from what seems to be a plugged port on the left hand side of the heat exchanger; not sure 'plugged port' is the correct terminology. There are signs that it's been leaking to a lesser degree through this port for some time as there is an amount of discolouration around this 'plug'.
See the not so good photos - 'Photo side HE.jpg' taken from front of heat exchanger showing a 'plug' at front & the leaking 'plug' in rear. 'Close up Leak jet.jpg' as name & taken with a poor endoscope.
I can now get the boiler to run by diverting the leaking water down a pipe into bucket & drying the Condensate Trap.

Anyone had or experienced a similar fail, is it possible to repair- is it a viable repair based on what it might cost & the age of the boiler?
Thanks in advance.

P.S. Added image of Heat Exchanger showing LHS which looks like mine.

 

[CountryFan]

It is difficult to tell and I’m not au fait with that boiler. @gas112 might know. However, imo, if it’s leaking from where you say it could be new boiler time. It could also be dangerous if it’s a split on the main heat exchanger. Locking out could be a wet wire/harness. Best off getting a gas safe registered engineer in.

 

[jj4091]

Don't know if this will help or not.

Google Search

 

[gas112]

new boiler time you are not going to get a core plug for one of them and not worth buying a new heat exchanger for a 15 year old boiler

 

[joecoie]

Thank you all for the feedback, I know now what it's called & that it's not replaceable. As gas112 said even if it was a reasonable cost to repair, it would be a bit of a gamble.
Now decisions decisions- what to replace it with; could/ should I go heat pump or another gas boiler if so what type???
Appreciate you giving the time to reply above.

 

[gas112]

Thank you all for the feedback, I know now what it's called & that it's not replaceable. As gas112 said even if it was a reasonable cost to repair, it would be a bit of a gamble.
Now decisions decisions- what to replace it with; could/ should I go heat pump or another gas boiler if so what type???
Appreciate you giving the time to reply above.

do not go with a heat pump us in the trade can get them installed for free under a scheme and there has been no uptake whatsoever so that tells a story .
The baxi 415/615/815 heat only boiler is a good boiler the difference in price is is purely down to warranty period as in 5/7/10 years

 

[joecoie]

@gas112 very interesting that you have that insight. I generally like new technology but thinking do I need/ want to take the risk/ hassel at this stage in my life V'rs what will we be paying for gas in 5 years time (will real cost of heat from elec be lower than gas then).

 

[endecotp]

do not go with a heat pump us in the trade can get them installed for free under a scheme and there has been no uptake whatsoever so that tells a story .

People who've spent their lives working on gas boilers, like gas boilers! Surprise!

 

[gas112]

People who've spent their lives working on gas boilers, like gas boilers! Surprise!

And people in the know dont want to spend a fortune heating their homes despite not paying for the equipment given and installed for free