Gas Boiler Fan

[Goofyish]

The fan on our Glowworm boiler has died. I got a local Corgi plumber to have a look and he came back with a quote of £203+VAT to fit a new fan.
I've checked on the internat and the fan assy. is around £80-90. The plumber says it takes about 2 hours to fit!
Looking at the boiler installation manual, it seems there are only 2 screws that hold the fan in, 2 plastic pipes to attach and the mains connections to connect - where does he get 2 hours work from??

 

[COG]

He is probably just trying to rip you off , thats all. £80 for a fan is not too bad compared to some other makes,but the labour should not be more than an hour, i charge per job so not sure what the going rate is but its not £120 +vat. if its the same chap who diagnosed the fan are you sure you can trust that diagnosis ?.if it it the fan you should have 230v just after demand and no fan run.

 

[Goofyish]

Thanks for the reply COG - it wasn't the plumber who diagnosed the fan, it was me (although he confirmed my diagnoses). I've had trouble with the fan sticking before, usually giving ot a little nudger would be enough to kick-start it, but this year it's really seized solid. When the boiler tries to fire you can see the fan motor trying to turn

 

[Bonnie8]

Hi, Goofyish,

Have you solved The fan on your Glowworm boiler yet as it just happened last night that our Glowworm(space saver 40F, 1987, conventional) boiler's fan stopped running either - that means i totally cannot use the central heating from last night! The ignition & pilot are not good, however we managed to light it by trying for 3 + times each time when we need the heat & hot water. i planed to change the whole system to combi next summer as we just moved in last year and really wanted to hold for this winter, but ..., i don't know what to do, repair it or change it as it's cold now? And also which boiler, i.e. engineer should i go for? i really felt tough at the moment.
Anyone, any advice, please.
Thanks in advance!

Bonnie

 

[Goofyish]

Hi Bonnie8,

It must be a 'design feature' of the Glowworm boiler fans that they sieze up after a few years

I have a new fan for my boiler (£86 inc. vat), just need to find a kind Corgi man to fit it for me. It looks very simple to fit - but I'd rather get a Corgi man to do the job, just in case it goes tits-up

Can't advise you on boiler type etc. - I'm not really an expert when it comes to boiler makes and types.
I'm sure someone on the forum can advise you better though.
I wish now that we should have had a combi-boiler when we had our old boiler replaced - we have had nothing but trouble with this blooming Glowworm thing!

 

[Bonnie8]

Hi, Goofyish,

So glad to have your reply, thanks!
Is that means you switched off your central heating system at the moment before 'someone, i found this is the trickyist thing, i.e. find a right engineer' before the fan fited.

Thanks again!

 

[Bonnie8]

Hi, Hi, Goofyish,

Could you tell me where did you get the fan. We've got a plumber came to have a look the boiler and he's not sure if he can get the fan for our Glowworm(space saver 40F, 1987, conventional) boiler.

Thanks

 

[Goofyish]

I found your fan on two websites, the site I used and another one as well:

Boiler - Glowworm Spacesaver 40F
Fan Part No. 208 382 (G.C. No. 313-071)

http://www.keeptheheaton.com/acatalog/glowworm_fans.html
(£96.34 + VAT)

http://www.mjtcontrols.co.uk/Appliance_Type3.aspx?Manufacture_ID=32&Appliance_Type=Gas+Boiler
(128.53 - not sure if this includes VAT)

Hope this helps.
(Just double check the part number before ordering).

 

[alexnic]

If you are thinking of changing your boiler in the near future and don't want to spend too much money on it, try this crowd ...

They specialise in reconditioned parts and all guaranteed!

Glowworm - Fan
Product Name : Glowworm Spacesaver
Description : 208382
Notes :
GC Number : 313386/313071

Price: £31.20

Prices Exclude VAT and Carriage.

Please Note: This is a reconditioned part exchange.
See Terms & Conditions for details.

To Order Call: 01923 229224, or Fax: 01923 229225

For more Information Email : [email protected]

http://www.cetltd.com/default.asp

 

[Bonnie8]

Hi Goofyish & alexnic,

really would like to say thanks lot for your help and now i'll start to search further for more info.
BTW, Goofyish, has your boiler got the fan fixed and the bolier is working now?

thanks again!

 

[Goofyish]

The boiler fan is working fine, but now have trouble with the pilot.

This seems to be a yearly problem with the pilot jet on this boiler. If the boiler stays off for a few months the jet seems to block up. There are 2 holes in the jet and they are tiny!

Last time it took the plumber 20 minutes to get the thing clear (using a bit of fine wire to poke throught the holes!).

If I ever change this boiler I will NOT get another blooming Glowworm!

 

[Bonnie8]

thanks, Goofyish!

someone did a quote (change the whole system, i.e. boiler(install Ideal 28C combi boiler), rad, pipe etc.) for us on Wednesday. I haven't decided yet should i go head or not as it's not the right season to do this kind work, but in other hand, not sure if the boiler is repairable.

anybody know that Ideal 28c combi boiler is good or not?

Many thanks!