Help! Boiler leaking

[pmx_super]

I have a 20+ year old Potterton Suprima 50. It's just started leaking from the bottom. Guess from reading around that the heat exchanger has cracked and likely beyond economic repair. Question is... How to stop the leak? Might it stop on its own now I've turned it off? If not, do I have to drain the entire system?

 

[terryplumb]

Needs investigating to find out where the leak originates ,could be a simple leaking joint, not that there are many !!

 

[pmx_super]

How to stop the leak? I closed off the feed from the header tank in the loft, but it's still coming. Will every part of the system that's higher than the boiler need to drain before it stops?

 

[terryplumb]

Yes ,draining the system will just leave the water in the boiler remaining to drain out.
There is a drain cock just below the pump.

 

[pmx_super]

Yes ,draining the system will just leave the water in the boiler remaining to drain out.
There is a drain cock just below the pump.

Got it, thanks. I opened that up and nothing came out, so I guess it's just a matter of waiting for whatever has collected in the boiler to drip out? It seems to have slowed...

 

[terryplumb]

The drain cocks seal has probably perished ,and stuck in position preventing water from draining out. Close it ,and look for another drain cock that you can use.
Exactly how much water is leaking from the boiler ???

 

[pmx_super]

It's slowed now to about 1 cup every 15 mins

 

[terryplumb]

Best to drain the system really ,you don't want the entire contents of the radiators to flood out.

 

[pmx_super]

Best to drain the system really ,you don't want the entire contents of the radiators to flood out.

Thanks, on it

 

[HERTS P&D]

I would suggest calling out a gas safe engineer on Monday morning, are you covered under your house insurance?

Andy

 

[pmx_super]

I would suggest calling out a gas safe engineer on Monday morning, are you covered under your house insurance?

Andy

Nope. We're actually in the middle of major building work, and the contract includes a complete new central heating system, so right now it feels like we'll be using an extra sweater and the immersion heater for next 6 weeks.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Yep, I done the same thing for 3 months while doing building work and using the immersion. That's why I won't have a Combi, I want back up.

Andy