Boiler condemned by British Gas

[Deleted member 84970]

British Gas has condemned our boiler as the heat exchanger is leaking onto the circuit board.

We currently pay boiler care cover and thought that this would be covered, but the engineer who was actually a nice bloke said look i'll need to call my boss to see if we can cover this.

Couple of minutes later he said sorry my boss said its not covered as we were previously advised to do a powerflush.

He said he could fit the parts but it would cost us £400 or get British Gas to call us with a quote for a new boiler, which i said no just leave it.

When the guy was putting it back together I said, so if i had got the flush would the parts be replaced and he said no due to the parts that had already been fitted previously.

Would this cause the exchanger to leak and can the engineer determine thats why it failed even without taking the exchanger out ?

I know Im not going to get anywhere with this and just feeling frustrated as it will be a couple of months before i could get money together for a new boiler which i know i need

Thanks

 

[Harvest Fields]

What make and model of boiler is it. It isn’t a Ideal ISAR or ICOS is it?

 

[Deleted member 84970]

What make and model of boiler is it. It isn’t a Ideal ISAR or ICOS is it?

It’s a vokera boiler

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I've been out to one today bg wouldn't do the repair as the system needs a power flush

Turn out it was a leaky filling loop

Best get a second opinion

 

[Harvest Fields]

A second opinion is always an option

 

[snowhead]

Couple of minutes later he said sorry my boss said its not covered as we were previously advised to do a powerflush.

So you were advised, not warned that if you didn't have it done the boiler would fail or the Cover would be voided?

 

[Rob Foster]

The design of these boilers was always stupid , who locates a lecky unit under the water valve
It’s stupid , funny tho I know the designer of this boiler he is my friend hey ho

 

[Harvest Fields]

So you were advised, not warned that if you didn't have it done the boiler would fail or the Cover would be voided?

I do not think that is what the op is saying

 

[Harvest Fields]

The design of these boilers was always stupid , who locates a lecky unit under the water valve
It’s stupid , funny tho I know the designer of this boiler he is my friend hey ho

How do you know what model of vokera it is?

 

[Rob Foster]

How do you know what model of vokera it is?

I do not but they were not top hole

 

[Harvest Fields]

I do not but they were not top hole

You’ve lost me?

 

[rpm]

You’ve lost me?

Easily done of late
Top hole, Top notch as in design quality?

 

[Harvest Fields]

Easily done of late
Top hole, Top notch as in design quality?

Never heard Top Hole before mate .
Must be a northern thing.

 

[rpm]

I`m guessing here.

 

[townfanjon]

Never heard Top Hole before mate .
Must be a northern thing.

No its not

 

[Deleted member 84970]

So you were advised, not warned that if you didn't have it done the boiler would fail or the Cover would be voided?

The engineer said that It could do with a flush.
NOW that ive read their terms and conditions it says they can refuse to honor a claim based on that.

The water from the radiators were clear when they were bled. If it was needing a flush would the water be dirty?

 

[Harvest Fields]

The engineer said that It could do with a flush.
NOW that ive read their terms and conditions it says they can refuse to honor a claim based on that.

The water from the radiators were clear when they were bled. If it was needing a flush would the water be dirty?

All the dirt is sat at the bottom of the radiators and the edge of the pipework.the water at the top is normally clear or a little dark.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Simply do your rads heat evenly eg no cold spots in the middle bottom ?

 

[Deleted member 84970]

Simply do your rads heat evenly eg no cold spots in the middle bottom ?

No the radiators were nice and consistent with heat. Ive taken off one of the radiators and drained it and also used a big magnet (We use for magnet fishing ) to see if i can drag any rust etc from the bottom of the radiator and put a hammer drill on it like the guys do when flushing it out and there doesnt look like much. Its not clear as tap water but more a light brown. I suppose though it might be in the boiler though.

Never mind gives me an excuse to cuddle the wife tonight, although It seems to be my fault anyway !!

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Sounds like it doesn't need a flush

You will get the water dirty

If your handy and each rad has a drain off

Manually flush them open the drain off with a hose pipe out side into drain etc

Then re add inhb

 

[chris watkins]

The design of these boilers was always stupid , who locates a lecky unit under the water valve
It’s stupid , funny tho I know the designer of this boiler he is my friend hey ho

You have friends???

 

[Rob Foster]

You have friends???

My friends are plenty and diverse and people whom I cherish...in reply often
The products we design for the heating and plumbing market are in hindsight sometimes after production economics not what we planned

But we try

 

[smoggs03]

Without a doubt get a second opinion. I wouldn’t take BG’s word,with their incentives for staff who generate leads, upgrades and boiler sales or disciplinaries for those who don’t.

 

[Scott_D]

Sounds like you were never covered

Try a second opinion
Try a manufacturer one off repair - usually around £300 and get rid of the cover
Get a new boiler from an Independant installer with a nice long warranty

 

[Phil]

British gas engineers are salesmen, the good engineers are all wanting to leave and are doing as they are sick of being pressured to sell.