Help! Do I really need a new boiler?

[NewBee]

Hi all,

I am in need of some help asap, so any comments will be much appreciated. I've also attached a couple of photos.

Warning: this might be a little long but here it comes...

I have been living in a flat for the past two years. It has a Vaillant Turbomax (VUW GB 242/2-5 R2) which has not been serviced since I've moved in (whoops). The previous tenants didn't leave any service log but on the boiler it suggests it was last serviced in 2004! So, I called a plumber to have a service done, and also to get the pressure gauge sorted as its currently on zero. However despite the low pressure I still get hot water, with no error message on the boiler!

The plumber had basically said I'd be wasting my money by doing a service on such an old boiler, as certain components need replacing etc. He continued on to say he was surprised that the boiler has been working given 1) pressure is on zero and 2) it hadn't been serviced in ages. He pointed out what he called signs of 'combustion' (black/smokey marks on the inside of the boiler), water leakage and worn pipes.

Despite all of this the boiler still provides hot water, but I'm not sure whether I should get a new one now, or wait till it packs in?

Looking for some opinions/help on this decision.

Cheers,
NewBee

 

[ShaunCorbs]

the auto air vent is easy enough part to sort but its the staining thats concerning did he leave the boiler on ?

i would get a second opinion

 

[NewBee]

the auto air vent is easy enough part to sort but its the staining thats concerning did he leave the boiler on ?

i would get a second opinion

Hi ShaunCorbs.

Thanks for getting back to me. By staining I'm guessing you mean the pipes look bit worse for wear. The plumber advised I switch the boiler off.

 

[Last Plumber]

The 'Black smokey marks'?
Any photo's?
It sounds serious but could be age/heat/dirt.
You need an experienced Engineer who can tell you what the 'Black Smokey marks' are caused by.

 

[Last Plumber]

advised I switch the boiler off.

Is it safe or not?
What do you mean advised to turn it off?
Was this due to the 'Black Smokey Marks'?

 

[Chalked]

They were a very good boiler. The leak is an easy fix.
I would call another gas safe registered engineer.

 

[NewBee]

The 'Black smokey marks'?
Any photo's?
It sounds serious but could be age/heat/dirt.
You need an experienced Engineer who can tell you what the 'Black Smokey marks' are caused by.

Sorry 'Last Plumber' i have no photos of the smokey marks. The plumber thought that with the overall condition of the boiler it was best to keep it off. He recommended that I didn't use it.

 

[dancinplumba]

they will be heat/dust marks on inside of outer casing imo,
air vent easy fix , good boilers

 

[dancinplumba]

And get another GSR as others have said

 

[Last Plumber]

Sorry 'Last Plumber' i have no photos of the smokey marks. The plumber thought that with the overall condition of the boiler it was best to keep it off. He recommended that I didn't use it.

Well in my opinion it's a good Boiler and any Engineer worth his salt should be competent enough to decide whether something is safe or not. It should not be left entirely to you. I would advise you to get a second opinion as Shaun said.

 

[chris watkins]

It looks in better nick than a lot of newer boilers out there.
We service & repair Vaillants a lot older than yours (25+ years old), parts are not a problem either. Don't be mislead by all this "need a new one mate it is 10 years old".
Get yourself a Vaillant specialist to take a look & let them give it a bit of TLC & it will give many more years of service.

 

[Last Plumber]

It looks in better nick than a lot of newer boilers out there.
We service & repair Vaillants a lot older than yours (25+ years old), parts are not a problem either. Don't be mislead by all this "need a new one mate it is 10 years old".
Get yourself a Vaillant specialist to take a look & let them give it a bit of TLC & it will give many more years of service.

Couldn't have put it better myself.

 

[NewBee]

It looks in better nick than a lot of newer boilers out there.
We service & repair Vaillants a lot older than yours (25+ years old), parts are not a problem either. Don't be mislead by all this "need a new one mate it is 10 years old".
Get yourself a Vaillant specialist to take a look & let them give it a bit of TLC & it will give many more years of service.

Hey Chris - this is very reassuring to hear, and has eased some of my fears!

Not sure how to find a Vaillant specialist but I have contacted someone for a second opinion, hopefully they'll get back to me.

As for everyone else who has replied, and will reply, many thanks! The NewBee appreciates it

 

[chris watkins]

On a side issue (sorry) - one of our guys has had two separate old ecoTEC's this week, both still had the old silicone seals (G10) in place, both had failed & melted the inside of the boiler, so not economical to repair.
The amazing thing is each had a full service history, although the word service seems to mean different things to different people.

 

[chris watkins]

Hey Chris - this is very reassuring to hear, and has eased some of my fears!

Not sure how to find a Vaillant specialist but I have contacted someone for a second opinion, hopefully they'll get back to me.

As for everyone else who has replied, and will reply, many thanks! The NewBee appreciates it

What area are you ?

 

[Last Plumber]

On a side issue (sorry) - one of our guys has had two separate old ecoTEC's this week, both still had the old silicone seals (G10) in place, both had failed & melted the inside of the boiler, so not economical to repair.
The amazing thing is each had a full service history, although the word service seems to mean different things to different people.

You mean the Silicone seal that Vaillant had an issue with and sent installers as many graphite Gaskets as they had Boilers for and paid those installers to go replace them?
Now you are going back a bit.

 

[chris watkins]

You mean the Silicone seal that Vaillant had an issue with and sent installers as many graphite Gaskets as they had Boilers for and paid those installers to go replace them?
Now you are going back a bit.

Amazing after all that & it clearly states they need to be replaced when the burner is removed. Cos if you don't ever look inside the combustion chamber !! Sad isn't it.
What do you say to this guy who has had it serviced every year or so he thinks.

 

[Chalked]

On a side issue (sorry) - one of our guys has had two separate old ecoTEC's this week, both still had the old silicone seals (G10) in place, both had failed & melted the inside of the boiler, so not economical to repair.
The amazing thing is each had a full service history, although the word service seems to mean different things to different people.

That reminds me . I must replace my own. ,!
10 years on the same seal

 

[ShaunCorbs]

That reminds me . I must replace my own. ,!
10 years on the same seal

Naaa just open it up in summer instant BBQ

 

[chris watkins]

Naaa just open it up in summer instant BBQ

Put your sausages in there now, just next to the air horn & wait for the smell of cooking. It tells you when the seal needs changing.

 

[NewBee]

What area are you ?

I live in Essex, Greater London. Don't suppose you're close by Chris?

 

[leelister6]

Find An Installer - Vaillant

 

[Last Plumber]

Amazing after all that & it clearly states they need to be replaced when the burner is removed. Cos if you don't ever look inside the combustion chamber !! Sad isn't it.
What do you say to this guy who has had it serviced every year or so he thinks.

I come across it a lot. Particularly in Council Buildings where they spend small fortunes on Service contracts and nothing gets done.
The last one I went to looked as though no-one had touched it in 20 years. Paperwork was all in place though.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Expert Vaillant Boiler Servicing Repairs. Ex-Vaillant Engineers London

Any use ?

 

[steadyon]

There's an implication from the original post that the property is tenanted ("... the previous tenants...". If this is the case then:
1. It is for the landlord to sort out the boiler, not the tenant.
2. It is a legal requirement for the landlord to provide a gas safety certificate every year.