Sime 80c combi boiler problem

[welshphil]

Hello, i'm looking for some advice please, I have a sime 80c combi which is approx six years old. For the last few months i've been having problems. At first when i turned the hot water on it would knock the central heating off and it wouldn't come back on for a few hours, more recently the central heating takes anything between 10-30 mins to come on and the boiler makes a "groaning" noise.

The same applies to the water - between 10-30 mins before the water gets hot. Unfortunately now I can't get heating or hot water, the boiler is making a very quiet "ticking noise" as if something is trying to happen and you can hear water flowing through it. Is it worth calling an engineer out or has the boiler died? I don't really want to pay for someone to look at it unless the problem is fixable.

Many thanks in advance for any replies recieved.

 

[bengasman]

Provided the parts are still sold, any problem can be repaired.
How long since the boiler was fully serviced?

 

[welshphil]

Many thanks for the reply - the boiler has never been serviced as we advised by the engineer who fitted it that sevicing was a waste of money as all they did was to "clean the fan".

I take it this was bad advice then??

 

[bengasman]

Yes, that was a proper cowboy talking.
Ask everybody you know locally for recommendations, and if there is someone that has had the same guy for years taking care of all repairs and sevicing, that is the guy to call.
Tell him about the fault, and that the boiler has never been serviced, so he knows what to expect.
If you are really lucky, it thorough service is all it needs. 50/50 you need a flush as well, in which case a filter would be a good idea too.