Our Lemon Boiler, advice appreciated

[MRSWB]

We have a Baxi Duo tec combi boiler. Installed July 2008 along with new radiators.

After the 1st 18ish months, we have had nothing but problems with it. Since 2008, approx. 8 different engineers have had a look at it, the first few from Baxi direct.

Summary of problems is as follows:

1. loud clanking noise when the heating comes on or when the hot water is running in the shower. Pressure gauge goes nuts at the same time. The response so far to this has been the exchange plate has gone and needs replacing. This has been done 3 times so far.
   
   Also been told the reason was due to sludge in the system from the copper pipes. All copper pipes were replaced with plastic piping, a magna filter was installed, its been power flushed twice and an inhibitor has been put into the system. We still have the same problem with clanking. Also, when the boiler is bled the water is still brown and smells coppery.
2. Pressure drops at least once a day. We have checked for leaks around the house at every possible location along the pipes and cannot locate a leak!?!

One engineer that came about a month ago said the condensate pipe located outside drips constantly which it is not supposed to do. He said the main exchange must have a perforation in it and needs replacing. However, when the system went 2 days ago (E133) he said it didn't matter the pipe was dripping and main exchange did not need replacing.

We are on the verge of forking out approx. £2k for a new boiler, but dread the thought that the same problems will start happening if it is not in fact the boiler.

If you made it to the end of this, thanks for reading it, and any thoughts would be most welcome!

 

[rpm]

Post your location and you may get a reply from a local member of the forum

 

[MRSWB]

I am DA2 postcode, Dartford, Kent.

 

[gasmanrob]

We cannot give advise regarding gas issues and technical stuffs. However what I can say is that although the plate has been replaced it's unlikely the gorse filter has been cleaned and there is possibly an issue with the
diverter cartridge. Sludge in the boiler could have sealed off the inlet to the expansion vessel or blown the membrane (causing your fluctuation on the gauge and pressure loss)

either way way the boiler needs an engineer to strip it down and inspect it. Be prepared to pay sensible money for it too as your not looking at a 30 minute job but equally I'm confident you and your boiler can be saved.

 

[gassafe]

If the condense is dripping 24 hours a day, and the pressure is dropping daily with no signs of a leak then the main heat exchanger has a perforation as suggested & will be a major repair!!

 

[buckley plumb]

just take into consideration before replacing a few major parts the new duotec will be a direct replacement fitting onto the same jig - and may be more cost effective than replacing 2 or more major parts .