GlowWorm Space Saver Balanced Flue Boiler

[theMusicMan]

Hi All

Hoping this is OK to post here as my 1st post!

We have an old, but very effective Glow Work Space Saver balanced flue boiler driving our central heating. It heats the water well, and provides plenty of heat to the radiators and hot water tank.

However, this last day or so has seen what I think is a major problem. There is water dripping from what looks to be, the inside of the boiler, down onto the kitchen worktops. At the moment it is only a few drips per minute, which gets a little worse when the heating is turned on, say to around 20 drips per minute, but then after 20 or so mins, seems to slack off again to almost nothing.

It is of course, a sealed unit, so I am thinking the boiler is on its way out. Is this the case...? or is there anything that can be done to have a look to see if it is just a leak instead of a cracked exchanger thingy!!

I am flat broke at the moment having only just returned to work after losing my job recently, so anything I can do to remedy this would be a help.

If we have to replace the boiler, can someone make a suggestion as to a replacement unit please, as I have no clue when it comes to this type of stuff.

Happy to post pics if needed.

Hope someone can help. Thanks all.

John

 

[migoplumber]

hi john, depending on the type of boiler, your unlikely to be able to even take the cover off legally, let alone make a repair.
if you could take the cover off and post a pic of where its dripping from, you may get a few suggestions of the repair needed.

you may find a local plumber who could come out and have a look, tell you the bad news, and come back when your a bit flusher.

it could be something and nothing. there are cheap bits in a boiler, that pop. or just simple wear and tear of a joint that needs nipping up!

good luck.
shaun

 

[theMusicMan]

WOW, thanks for this speedy reply Shaun, which is much appreciated.

I will take a few shots of the boiler and indicate on them where the water drips from, which will hopefully allow the experts such as yourself to make some suggestions. I am off out for a few hours now to take my daughter to her rugby training, but will get some shots up on here later today.

Shaun - can you suggest a replacement boiler unit for me please, as I have absolutely no clue in this department. The CH we have is 15-20 yrs old, so I am guessing it is an open vent system. The boiler is not a combi boiler and I think is what is termed a 'Heat Only' boiler. Am I correct? I have no idea as to what I could expect to pay if we have to get a replacement unit (nor how I am to pay for it if that is the case... anyone need a photographer... Portraits, Wedding Tog, I'll do it for you for free if you can do a 'swap'... ) Hehe.

I did a search on the net, and found this one... would this be a suitable replacement for my unit?

GLOWWORM FLEXICOM 12HX HE HEAT ONLY BLR GlowWorm Flexicom HX Heating Boilers GlowWorm Gas Boilers Gas Boilers Boilers BHL

Ta all.

 

[Deleted member 2053]

Depends on how the current boiler sits. If it is inside a cupboard then the Glowworm won't fit and you would be better off with a 15 kw Worcester. Otherwise the Vaillant are upmarket Glowworms - they have metal bits inside instead of plastic.

And yes, sudden appearance of large amounts of water dripping from the boiler are usually indicative of a cracked heat exchanger. Trouble is that if the old cast iron units are not regularly cleaned then debris can cause hot spots leading to premature failure.

 

[migoplumber]

Jon, every plumber has there favorite boiler, for a variety of reasons.
read some of the other threads, regarding that.

me personally i despise vaillant, and am starting to love ideal, ive ranted enuf about vaillant elsewhere so wont do it here, ideal boilers just seem good at the moment. that point of view will no doubt change as well.

heads up. it might not come to that.

shaun

 

[Jay_1981]

, ideal boilers just seem good at the moment. that point of view will no doubt change as well.

shaun

your opinion will certainly change on ideals unless you have access to free circuit boards for them, even though they have redesigned the boards they still continue to fail at a shocking rate.

Gloworm are a cheaper vailient and its shows with the frequency they breakdown, vailient are more reliable, and worcester I'm starting to find can be hit and miss with regards to reliability. As said though, everyone favours a brand mine is vailient, you get what you pay for and lets face it with all the technology in modern boilers their is far more likelyhood of breakdown compared with the old spacesaver boilers you replaced a TC on every 3-5yrs.

 

[migoplumber]

as i said jay we all have our different opinions on them.
but i would ask you, whats the shortest time you have ever been on hold for, waiting to talk to a vaillant technician...... mines 35 mins. wont happen again. broken vaillants now go in skip.

shaun

 

[Jay_1981]

didn't say the tech helpline was quick although i did get through the other day within 5-8min and was quite impressed with that. But seriously the new models fault diagnostic software is spot on, and besides, the problem with tech helpline is our problem not the custs for that once every few years during a breakdown someone has to call tech support.
As far as ideal boilers go I was saying to someone today the boiler as a whole are actually very good the only regular problem I get with them is the pcb but they are an expensive part to have to replace for the cust.