Hot water cylinder

[Martino]

Hi Chaps,
Spent a fortune on the hot water/central heating system over the last year and finally thought everything was hunky dory. Now I've spotted a dribble from my hot water tank where the heating coil enters or leaves (not sure which - it's the top one).

Might just need a bit of goo around the join, but being a pessimist and based on the bad luck I've had so far I'm assuming that I'll probably have to replace the whole tank.

Can anyone give me a ball-park figure I could expect to replace one of these tanks?
Thanks

 

[Bahco]

You probably looking at £400-450 to replace a cylinder.

I would have a go at fixing it. Drain the cylinder and unscrew the nut and place jointing compound or a few turns of ptfe around the olive and then replace the nut.

Worth a go.

 

[Goldspoon]

As suggested, drain cylinder and undo nut. Use some LSX AND PTFE around the male thread.

 

[Martino]

Thanks chaps. I'll have a bash at it tomorrow night.
The tank is 20 years old and no doubt full of crud. It's not likely to split as I undo the nut is it?
As a matter of interest, if the worst comes to the worst, are cylinders these days made to a standard in terms of positions of fittings etc? In other words if I do need to replace it is it likely that a new tank will fit straight in without reworking all the pipework etc.
Cheers.

 

[Bahco]

It's not likely to split as I undo the nut is it?

Wouldn;t think so but be gentle

Is it likely that a new tank will fit straight in without reworking all the pipework etc.

Not a chance in hell! No such thing as a straight swop in plumbing!

 

[Martino]

Cheers Bahco,
Good to see your signature - 48 weeks without smoking. Well done.
If it helps, I stopped 22+ years ago and even now if someone lights one up near me I think how nice it smells.....
They do say you are always an ex-smoker, never a non-smoker.
Good luck with it.

 

[Bahco]

Thanks mate and you are right about the smell of fresh fags!

Good luck with your leak and post back with results or if you need help.