Replacement Boilers Recommendations

[Hoofer]

Hi everyone.

I am struggling to find anyone who can fix my Worcester 4.5 Highflow boiler and may have to buy a replacement.

Trouble is we are only going to be living where we are for another 12 months or so and therefore I don't really want to invest in an expensive make.

Can anyone recommend a cost effective solution? We live in a 100 year old house with big rooms. It is 5 bedroom, 4 receptions and with 19 rads.

Many thanks

Hoofer

 

[Agile]

Have you tried Worcester service team?

Tony

 

[Hoofer]

Yep, they wont come out as the boiler is now obselete.

 

[Agile]

It may be "obsolete" but its still repairable!

If you lived nearby then I would still repair it.

Tony

 

[bengasman]

What is the problem with it? It may take a bit of time to find someone, but it will cost you a at least a couple of grand if you have to replace it. Worth spending a few hours phoning people, and it may be easy to solve.

 

[Hoofer]

The problem is that the pilot light keeps going out.

Combined with that when it is lit (it would seem on occasions more than all the time) the wall next to the boiler is sooting up and also there is a smell of exhaust fumes in the area.

I have had both pumps, the heat exchanger, the thermostat or thermocouple (i cant remember which) and the piezo igniter replaced in recent weeks.

I have also had a bypass valve fitted (which has been fitted within 2 metres of the boiler...the manufacturers spec states that it should be more than 2 meters away) and a magnaclean fitted.

British Gas aren't interested as the bypass is not fitted to spec and also the flue needs extending as this also does not meet the regs.

I live near Plymouth and the boiler which is in the garage is starting to do my head in!

Hoofer

 

[Deleted member 105431]

If it is covered by BG 3* then get them to fix it ffs!

 

[Hoofer]

BG have not renewed our annual contract which has just expired as the system no longer meets their requirements!

 

[Deleted member 105431]

BG have not renewed our annual contract which has just expired as the system no longer meets their requirements!

typical. they have conned another customer and you let them get away with it.

the direct replacement would be the new worcester 550 but that's not a cheap option. Glow worm Xtramax He will give good performance at a reasonable price, make sure you get the plume kit though and whatever you do don't get ****ish Gas to fit it!

 

[bengasman]

The problem is that the pilot light keeps going out.

Combined with that when it is lit (it would seem on occasions more than all the time) the wall next to the boiler is sooting up and also there is a smell of exhaust fumes in the area.

A. Soot equals CO. CO equals incomplete combustion. Incomplete combustion equals either too much gas or too little air in most cases.

B. Pilot light that in itself is not defective goes out due to lack of gas or lack of air. It could be something like extreme draft, but that would have manifested itself long ago.

A+B suggests a faulty flue or blocked air flow.

When was the boiler last serviced?
In case you have a contract with bg or other large company, chances are you did not get a service, but a "safety check"
Based on the what you have described is happening, the boiler is highly suspect and should be turned off completely and immediately.

 

[tryitandsee]

From your last post in March regarding your situation. you said,

The BG engineer today advised that I should upgrade the boiler and that a WB engineer would not visit as the boiler is now obselete and that the installation is not to their specifications. I don't know if he is telling the truth.

Did you actually phone/speak to WB and told (by them) that because this boiler is now obsolete they would not come out, or was this told to you via the BG engineer. I would have thought at least, WB would have given you an approved WB engineer's contact number near you in Cornwall, that may be able to help you.


By the sounds of it, the boiler has been condemned on two or more occasions, perhaps that is telling you, that it's now time to replace it.

 

[Hoofer]

tryitandsee....wb told me yesterday over the phone that the boiler is obselete.

however, i perhaps should call them again and see if they can let me have the details of a wb approved engineer in my area.

 

[tryitandsee]

If WB send someone or you get an approved engineer to call, try and get an assessment/survey of the boiler and it's various problems. You may have to pay for his/her time, but it may just help 'put this to bed' and help with your understandable reluctance, to install a new boiler.

 

[Hoofer]

Apart from the Glowworm Xtramax should I be considering any other cost effective boilers?

 

[Deleted member 105431]

Apart from the Glowworm Xtramax should I be considering any other cost effective boilers?

baxi duotec is worth a look but performance isn't as good.