Potterton Suprema 40 - Repair Advice needed please

[Topov81]

Hi, new here and have very little heating knowledge so I apologise now if I don't know the lingo.

I have an 8 year old Potterton Suprema 40, which has started playing up. Occasionally had to press the reset button but not too often.

Last week the Central Heating stopped working, although the Hot Water was fine. A friend suggested it could the diverter valve in the airing cupboard, this made sense as it had been quite noisy recently. The boiler was due a service anyway, so I called a local gas specialist.

Sure enough, he said the diverter valve had packed up - it was a Siemens model which he said used a combination of brass & plastic internal parts, and the plastic bit eventually wears away. He serviced the boiler and said it may not last much longer, even if the PCB and fan keep going, there is rust in the corner of the internal unit where something 'weeps out' by design (not sure what but he did show me)

So, £70 for the service and £200 for the replacement valve... and off he went.

30mins later and I notice the radiators have gone cold. I call him back and upon opening up the boiler he says the fan has packed up - which it had, I could smell it.... very co-incidental though.

The guy seems genuine enough, but I've nothing to compare the prices to. He says fans for other boilers can cost £150-180, 'but don't be surprised if the Potterton ones are £50 more'.

So having already spent £270 I'm looking at potentially another £200 for the fan, and starting to feel like I'm throwing money at a lost cause.

Could someone convince me otherwise !!.... I've also heard about fixed price repairs which include all parts.

 

[Soggy_weetabix]

Where in Bucks are you?

I do offer a fixed price repair

 

[gas4you]

Retail for your fan is £178, £60 labour all plus VAT.

You may be lucky and get a discount on the fan itself if you find a nice RGI

 

[namsag]

I dont do bucks

 

[sooey]

I dont do bucks

Not even young ones?

 

[petit_pablo]

In your case a fixed price repair my be your best option. Either the manufacturer or BG

 

[Agile]

Thats an interesting charging senario!

We would not have serviced a boiler if we had any clue that it was not working correctly. We always ask that question and come a week later to help to be sure.

If we are told its not working properly, we charge an £84 diagnostic fee and parts are extra at a bit less than retail if we can get a discount.

If a second part was required shortly after like that then we would just charge for the part again, probably about £125 for the fan.

The PCB has been modified with a new model which is more expensive at about £160.

If you can get a fixed price repair to do the fan and tell them it gives some red lights they may replace both within the fixed price if you have a nice guy.

Tony

 

[Topov81]

Thanks to all who have replied - your responses have been very useful.

I phoned British Gas who will do a fixed price repair for £187, and I'm waiting to hear back from the local engineer this morning.

Will post back later... hopefully I won't be so cold !!

 

[Topov81]

Well, I went with the local engineer....

£137 for the fan plus £75 labour. To be fair he did ring me at 8am on the dot, and did go out of his way to get the part today as it wasn't in stock locally.

Add the VAT and the bill came to £243. Would have been cheaper doing a fixed price repair, but at least I have a warm house again.

Thanks again for everyone's replies.