Leaking halstead boiler - how easy to fix?

[ChilledUK]

We purchased our house about 18 months ago and it came with a Halstead Eden CBX 32 combi boiler already installed.

About 8-10 months ago the boiler had shown a marked drop in pressure. As this was following a radiator bleed, I didn't think much of it and used the filling loop attached to repressurize to 1.0 bar. This seemed to be fine and the boiler continued to run fine up until two weeks ago, when the boiler lost pressure again. Again, I used the filling loop to repressurize and the boiler continued to run. However, the boiler has since lost pressure very quickly, until it had fallen to 0 this weekend.

Further investigation led me to discover a small damp spot on the floor of the cupboard in which it is installed - pointing to a leak in the system. I've removed the cover and it appears the leak is coming from the two copper pipes which come out of the bottom of the left hand side of the 'plate heat exchanger' (i've downloaded the installation manual)

If further info is needed I can post photos if necessary.

I'm a fairly competent DIY'er but I'm presuming that, given the need to drain down the system, replace parts and refill it, this is a job better left to the pros. How much is a job like this likely to cost and will it be a means to years more trouble free heating, or am I likely to be better served by replacing the boiler now?

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[Agile]

This is a modern boiler design and possibly still under the warrantee.

Its not clear from what you have said exactly what is leaking.

Quite possibly a nut and flange joint where the pipe connectiuons are made.

Without further info and ideally a photo I canno say if its an easy DIY job or might need a pro.

Tony

 

[Boilerman2]

Could be the Diverter valve leaking from the spindle get a RGI to have a looky see!

 

[ChilledUK]

firstly, thanks for all the advice previously given.

Called the RGI out to have a look and he opened the boiler, removing some of the panels that I was a bit reluctant to. He then repressurised the system to 1bar and immediately you could see that the water was leaking not from the heat exchanger, but from the body of the Hydroblock.

Was told I need a replacement hydroblock, but part not available locally so will have to wait for delivery on monday or tuesday. Price quoted was just over £200

He put the boiler back together and left me with a large bowl under it to collect the drips as it drains out. It got quite full last night, and the pressure ggaugestill showed about 0.3 bar so I emptied the bowl and left it overnight.

The bbizarrething is, when I got up this morning, the bowl was nearly full again, but the pressure ggaugewas showing that the ppressurehad risen overnight back to about 0.9 bar. This to me seems odd, especially as the system has been off and dormant. Is it normal?

 

[Agile]

It sounds as if you filling loop is leaking!

The flewxible part should be removed according to the water regulations and if thats done will indicate any leakage of the valves.

Tony

 

[Boilerman2]

If your radiators were set to heat in the morning, the water would expand and the pressure rise, at 0.3 Bar the Expansion vessel should be completely empty, and assuming that the air charge is 1 bar, then the pressure would rapidly rise to 1 bar as the expansion would have nowhere to go untill the air pressure was matched by the water pressure (if that makes sense!)

 

[Boilerman2]

P.S. I tols you it would be the diverter (Hydroblock) in my first reply!!