thorn emi apollo boiler not working

[danielle25]

This is my first post and i want to check something out. My boiler wont stay alight. I called a local gas fitter and he told me that it would be either the gas valve or a therma-couple. He told me that the boiler is very old (prob agree) and that parts are not readily available anymore. Said the therma-couple would need to be ordered and that it could be expensive as this type of boiler needs a certain type.

Is this true?? I'm sure my parents had something similar fitted and it cost them next to nothing apart from labour.

He's ringing me back later to confirm if i want him to come out on Weds to fix it

Thanks guys

Danielle xx

 

[kevindgas]

not sure which thermocouple fits this boiler but most of the old thorn and myson boilers used Q309A which are redily available at about £8 if they charge more than £20 for a t/c then you are probably paying too much unless it is a special one which can be expensive recently got a cooker one for a customer and it cost me £42

 

[namsag]

4 things it could be is pilot problem (partially blocked or pilot top burnt away) gas valve, thermocouple and the over heat stat .Just about every appollo has an interupter thermocouple that has the over heat stat screwed to it both bits are around £20. Some of the bigger 70,000btu and above boilers had a normal themocouple with the over heat stat going into the gas valve. The themocouples for these are £5 overheat stat prob about £30...

 

[Rob]

We use universal ones which incedentley are known as 'thorn apollo type'. But no harm in ordering one, bear in mind it could also be the small OH stat which the thermocouple is wired in series with. Then it would be gas valve but unlikely!

Id say around £80 for just the thermocouple and maybe £110 ish if it needs the stat aswell. Not exactly new boiler time!

 

[undercover]

He's pulling your leg. Parts for these boilers are still available. From what youre saying i would say its the thermocouple.

Also the thermocouple has two spades which supply the OH stat.

Parts are no more than £30-35 for thermocouple and OH stat together.

I think he wants to sell you a new boiler

 

[Agile]

The sad thing is that I often get called to these after someone else has replaced the T/C and it still has the same problem.

As mentioned the o/h stat can be high resistance or in one case the pilot flame distributor was rotated to the wrong position in spite of a locating groove.

It needs someone competent and honest. It sounds as if your fellow is setting you up to expect a large bill. We would charge our fixed price of £84 plus the bits at about £6 or £18 depending on whats involved excepting the gas valve which would probably be about £80.

Tony

 

[Gasguru]

Make sure the heat exchanger is checked/cleaned and the inner flue is inspected.

They have a habit of clogging up through neglect because its a dusty boring job to clean them and the flues are starting to corode at the age they are now.

Otherwise as said before - new t/c, new o'heat stat (rip=off cost) and a top socket will normally do the job.

 

[undercover]

Danielle.

Get someone else to give you a quote and price. You can probably 'miss' hot water and heating for a few more days.

I have fixed plenty of these and as most people are stating its probably going to be the thermocouple and OH stat. I'd initially get both of these replaced alongside a general service.

If that doesn't fix the prob (which i expect would) then its gotta be the gas valve. My local heatparts sells them for £80

 

[Dan Robinson]

My brother has several hundred on a complex in West London on a SE duct flue. They are all perfectly serviceable - and long may it continue 'cos I don't want to have to replace them !

Parts are available as you have been told many time above. This guy seems to be setting you up for a fall, but then he could be playing it cautious - has he seen your boiler before?

 

[Gasguru]

Dan,

It does appear that Appolos were connected to SE ducts by local authorities some years back. When I enquired with Baxi who took over the Myson/Thorn brand no approval documentation was forthcoming and they were adament the boilers were never approved for SE duct installations.

In my customers case it was replaced since it was decreed to be ID by Baxi. The property also had a Main Mersey on the duct and likewise this was never type tested for that flue operation. (Early Main water heaters were approved though).

Several tower blocks near me still have the SE duct Apollos but I don't look at them. I concluded the council had gone ahead and ignored the MI's.


Any views?

 

[kevindgas]

have similar myson apollo's on SE ducts down here as well. i've never bothered to say ought as they haven't killed anyone in 15 years! as they become life expired so they will be replaced (previously they were on 3 star with BG )

 

[danielle25]

Thanks guys for all of your replies. After reading your replies i called another local gas fitter who was recommended on our local forum. He said it was going to be the thermocouple and interupter to a overheat stat. Told me he had them stocked on his van and is calling tomorrow. Also told me its an easy and not too costly fix. Said the boiler is now getting on a bit but if i take care 'theres plenty of life in it'.

How glad i am that i found this forum. If i could kiss you all i would

Danielle xxx

 

[kevindgas]

form an orderly queue lads

glad we could help

 

[Dan Robinson]

xxx

Glad we could help...sounds like you found a proper engineer there.


P.S. Don't tell me wife...

 

[undercover]

Well done Danielle. As Dan says -looks like youve found a honest engineer.

If he does a decent job, recommend him to friends and family and they'll be less likely to use a rip off 'cowboy'

Glad we could all help