Boiler leak - is this fixable

[Evewidow]

Hi , been reading for a while but never hot round to registering .

We have a ferroli Modena combi boiler and have a leak .
When the heating is on it does not leak but when you turn the heating dial down to hot water only or overnight etc it is always leaking in the morning .

Took the front off to see where the leak was and it is from the pipe above the prv the one that comes out I think for hot water /heating

My question is : is it fixable or will it be condemned by a plumber

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• Evewidow
• 10 Nov 2013
• 1

Untitled

• Evewidow
• 10 Nov 2013
• 1

Untitled

• Evewidow
• 10 Nov 2013
• 1

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[Dan Robinson]

Thing is the poor SOB that touches it is going to be in a world of hurt as the POS boiler crumbles around him.

Rip the sh!tbox out.

 

[Evewidow]

Sadly not an option to do that . Do you think anyone would fix it ?

 

[Dan Robinson]

No one sane.

There is a chemical that can be injected into the system that may do the job. And yes the actual leak is probably just a washer or O-ring (not checked the manual to see the construction of the joint).


The boiler is a joke though and likely to have other issues when worked on.

 

[Evewidow]

Ok thanks for your help. Cannot afford a new boiler so will have to see of anyone will fix it . Is it worth trying the sealant chemicals ?

 

[Dan Robinson]

We have used it with success in the past but wouldn't ordinarily rely on it where the leak was visible. It is not the "professional" way really.

 

[Evewidow]

On the basis that it only leaks when heating down / off is the sealant likely to be effective ? It doesn't leak when it's on so would the chemicals find the leak as assuming you need to have heating on to pump it around system ?

I am aware my boiler is a pos but just need it to hold out a couple
Of months and leaving heating on all the time isn't really a solution either lol

TiaA

 

[Dan Robinson]

The leak is evaporating off when the system is on - hence the crusty build up.

If you use the chemicals the system needs to be running for the chemical to take effect.

How effective it is I wouldn't like to say.

 

[Agile]

This an unfortunate but common case of a long term leak which has not been addressed during an annual service.

The result will be a severely corroded component. It is totally repairable but finding an engineer willing to take the trouble is going to be difficult.

In my area I would repair it because I am too helpful but as the boiler is an unreliable design that's not good economics. Might cost about £150 to repair at my charges! Better put towards a new boiler though!

I don't subscribe to using leak sealer! Only to repairing the leak!

Its only heating water and can be ignored and just topped as necessary.

But replacing the boiler fairly soon would be the usual course of action.

Tony

 

[Evewidow]

Thanks for the info / advice

I am aware it would be best to put towards a new boiler but for various reasons this is not an option ATM .

Hopefully can find someone local and as helpful as you to do it !

 

[ianmcd]

you could always try a fixed price repair from BG but be prepared for a sales sell when the engineer turns up.

http://www.britishgas.co.uk/product...d-central-heating/one-off-boiler-repairs.html

 

[Gasguru]

The problem is the pipe is part of the heat exchanger...so any damage to it whilst trying to free it from the brass manifold will write off the boiler.

If the boiler's only to last a few months give leak sealer F4 a go first.

 

[Agile]

Leaving it leaking causes no problems for a few months more!

Looks like its been leaking for years already!

Its quite possible that it could be cut and a new bit spliced in to go into the replaced fitting.

Tony

 

[Evewidow]

The problem is the pipe is part of the heat exchanger...so any damage to it whilst trying to free it from the brass manifold will write off the boiler.

If the boiler's only to last a few months give leak sealer F4 a go first.

Thanks we will try that.

Is it worth trying an external compound sealer around the joint as well or will
That cause problems ?

 

[Evewidow]

Can't leave it leaking else I would
Put up with it lol