nightmare combi repairs!

[mike_s]

Had some real bad ones recently I don't usually have much a problem with the diagnosing, I'm much better at that than the actual repair it seems!

It takes a lot of experience not to open a can of worms for yourself if you arn't doing them all the time.

I now know why my Dad doesn't take on as many repairs as most, they just arn't worth your time! Especially when we are often fully booked with installs.

Here's my latest nightmare... Ferroli optimax 31 HE, around 6 years old I think. Pressure gauge not working so customer can only guess than it is at the correct pressure. I drained it down and it stayed on 1 bar. Simple job I thought, wrong! The gauge snapped off inside the pump housing, I had to spend all day getting a new pump with housing and connecting it was a nightmare as the prv, plate heat ex block, exansion vessell are connected into it and the whole thing is just a nightmare to replace. Once finally done I got a leak at the very back and realised I could have connected that o ring connector out of place.

My moral took a hit as I know people who repair combi's all day and can't get into the messes I have been in the last 12 months, I won't be taking one of them Ferroli's apart again any time soon!

Who else takes on a lot of repairs and used to get into a mess at times like me, or who stays away from the major repairs as they are just too much agro!

I only install Worcester and thankfully I find the Greenstars a doddle to take apart, plate heat exchangers, the lot, no problem. Had every bit off them in the training place which built my confidence as well.

I am learning more of what not to touch but I feel I should know better already with 8.5 years experience.

 

[vern]

Had some real bad ones recently I don't usually have much a problem with the diagnosing, I'm much better at that than the actual repair it seems!

It takes a lot of experience not to open a can of worms for yourself if you arn't doing them all the time.

I now know why my Dad doesn't take on as many repairs as most, they just arn't worth your time! Especially when we are often fully booked with installs.

Here's my latest nightmare... Ferroli optimax 31 HE, around 6 years old I think. Pressure gauge not working so customer can only guess than it is at the correct pressure. I drained it down and it stayed on 1 bar. Simple job I thought, wrong! The gauge snapped off inside the pump housing, I had to spend all day getting a new pump with housing and connecting it was a nightmare as the prv, plate heat ex block, exansion vessell are connected into it and the whole thing is just a nightmare to replace. Once finally done I got a leak at the very back and realised I could have connected that o ring connector out of place.

My moral took a hit as I know people who repair combi's all day and can't get into the messes I have been in the last 12 months, I won't be taking one of them Ferroli's apart again any time soon!

Who else takes on a lot of repairs and used to get into a mess at times like me, or who stays away from the major repairs as they are just too much agro!

I only install Worcester and thankfully I find the Greenstars a doddle to take apart, plate heat exchangers, the lot, no problem. Had every bit off them in the training place which built my confidence as well.

Bad boiler there fella! My mate used to do thier warranty work, he saw 2 year old boilers leaking from every place you can imagine!
I also fit WB and fully accredited, so know the products well....I can't agree with the bit about easy to work on, still got scars from doing the PRV's!

 

[mike_s]

haha glad to hear someone else says they're a bad boiler. Any more trouble and it's getting ripped out for a Worcester. Well they are easy to work on compared to the ferroli optimax he's! Perhaps my opinion isn't as justified as yours as even though we've been installing the greenstars since they came out about 8 years ago, I've never had to do a prv on one! Which I don't look forward to as I know they need to come off the wall. I do pass some repairs on to the manufacturers when I don't fancy taking them on.

 

[vern]

WB great range of boilers it is all we fit, but there are some niggles that "should" have been nailed years ago! Sat down with the top man around 2 months ago, and gave him the list, most niggles now sorted... New LXi will be easier to work on for sure.

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

ferrolis have one place thats the scrap bin personally i find duotec 1 easiest boiler on the market to take apart,some things on a greenstar are not straightforward and poorly thought out

 

[Dannypipe]

Ferrolis are horrible boilers!!

 

[Millsy 82]

Ferrolis are horrible lucky enough I have not had to work on many around my area, Living not far from worcester everybody wants a worcester because they are made locally ( I didnt realise Germany was local though I wouldnt want to walk to there local pub) also alot of vaillants.

Never had to change a pressure guage but could you not have tried drilling it a bit the levering out with a little screwdriver.

All I do is service and maintenance (I miss doing installs but im not ruining my body for the money most companies pay) I have jobs like this all the time, The more you do the more you get used to it but my confidence does take a massive knock from time to time and alot of customers have heard me swear at their boilers whilst banging my head against it whilst having a bad job.

On the plus side if you have a bad job doing breakdowns it doesnt last as long as if your having a bad job installing.

 

[AWheating]

WB great range of boilers it is all we fit, but there are some niggles that "should" have been nailed years ago! Sat down with the top man around 2 months ago, and gave him the list, most niggles now sorted... New LXi will be easier to work on for sure.

the new worcester model does look good from what ive seen, production line is almost ready to go for full production. I like the fact it has no mounting jig as such. should be a good product. Time will tell of course.

 

[stevetheplumber]

same as any job practice makes perfect anyone doing repairs all day every day can often guess what the problem is before he gets his tools out

 

[quality]

Ferrolis are the best boiler in the world for earning wages on repairs or replacing

 

[Leo21]

Next time just put a gauge on the return. I do with the vaillant turb max, I've had the probe snap of in the housing. Never again.

 

[Leo21]

Oh and I'm glad I'm not the only one who head butts boilers and swears at them, bloody things.

 

[Millsy 82]

Oh and I'm glad I'm not the only one who head butts boilers and swears at them, bloody things.

Well you have got to make sure its secure to the wall.

 

[Leo21]

I dented the the combustion cover on one once, doh.

 

[Destroyer2813]

the new worcester model does look good from what ive seen, production line is almost ready to go for full production. I like the fact it has no mounting jig as such. should be a good product. Time will tell of course.

I heard it was already out to a very select few accredited installers

 

[arran197]

These things happen. You know now to make sure you're uber careful when taking these things apart.

 

[Dsgas]

ferroli f30b, never again, orings and pressure relief valve. not worth the time wasted!

 

[AWheating]

I heard it was already out to a very select few accredited installers

yes they have fitted a number of them now, only certain engineers allowed to fit them and have to adhere to a number of things including a full report filled out. Went on a worcester course recently and was told that they have had engineers from other manufacturers on the course asking questions trying to take a look.....LOL.

one good thing is its made in the uk, not like the cdi. good for uk jobs i guess.