What's involved in a combi boiler service?

[muffking]

As title guys.
I've had myBaxi combi for almost 4 years now and havn't serviced it, so I think it's about time that I did. The installer won't do domestic calls anymore, so what's the best way to get a decent Corgi guy out without having to resort to the Yellow pages.

More importantly, what will they do?

 

[tryitandsee]

If you still have the instructions that came with the boiler, it should give you some sort of description/ idea as to what to do for the service.
When asking engineer make them aware of that description and you can at least compare apples with apples when getting their prices.

As to finding a good engineer................recommendation or a bit of luck.

 

[Trouble666]

As Muffking said, recommendation is probably the best way to fing a good RGI; Failing that, trustcorgi website will give u a list of local RGIs to you, and phoning around will be the other resort.

With regards to whats involved, it depends on the condition really. Depending on model of boiler,type of boiler, and the RGI servicing your boiler, it would involve:

• Checking H/Exchanger and cleaning if necessary

Checking/Cleaning burner

• Checking Flame Pic

Checking Gas Pressures/Gas Rate

• Checking Flame Failure Devices

Checking Case Seals on RS CHBs or Spillage/FFlow on OFs

• Emissions Test (Nearly mandatory on majority of Condensers,dependant on make/model)
  
  Some may go as far as cleaning fan etc, but like I said,it really depends; The above list is not exhaustive, nor is it the bare minimum

 

[Agile]

On a modern wall mounted boiler there is usually little cleaning needed and the prime tasks will be inspection and checking the operating parameters and probably adjusting them.

On a first service its particularly important to check the operating parameters as they are rarely done when the boiler is installed.

One minor point to be added to the list above is checking and usually cleaning the condensate trap. On some Ariston models this is conveniently located under the boiler where the user can check and clean it if necessary! At a first service its often found that the condensate trap has a lot of installer debris in it.

Tony

 

[muffking]

Thanks guys.
What made me ask is that a friends combi packed up after 4 years and the plumber has put lack of servicing as its cause of death, but also, my sister had an old boiler when she bought her house which turned out to have a blocked flue causing headaches as the carbon monoxide was leaking back into the house.

 

[Deleted member 105431]

why not call Baxi themselves?

 

[gas4you]

Your friend wouldn't have an Ideal Isar/Icos would they? These NEED annual servicing and without it will die at about 3-4 years

 

[Paul Barker]

If you have an 80e or 105e or even the HE version it isn't the sort of boiler to die as a result of no service in first four years but it is now time to have it done as specified above.

 

[muffking]

Yes Paul it's a Baxi 105e Combi and like you say, it's been in for nearly 4 years so I really should, and will, get it checked.

 

[Paul Barker]

Ok the good news is you are very unlikely to be endangered by this boiler and it should give you very good service for 15 years with maybe a diaphragm or two and one fan in that time.

But a good idea to service it now.

 

[Gasguru]

After 4 years the expansion vessel will be nearly flat....leave it that way and it will hole. Essential to re-charge.

 

[namsag]

If expansion vessel was nearly flat then pressure would be rising past 3 and other faults would be showing . Bit of scaremongering there gasguru.
Done hundreds of baxi`s over the past 7 years and had to recharge a couple.
4 years and above best to fit new diaphragm and stuffing box gland cost from 8 to 15 quid