Repair or Replace Recommendation?

[monoecho]

!Hi, am hoping someone can advise on whether I should repair, or replace, my Glow Worm Economy Plus 50F conventional boiler?

I am not requesting technical advice on how to do this - merely a basic recommendation from a professional as to whether it's worth repairing my boiler.

(Croppie has accepted this proposal - as I'm not actually asking anyone to tell me how to do this myself).


Currently the boiler is not working - I have had an engineer check it over - so took some photos at the same time.

The fault is possibly due to insufficient airflow through the heat exchanger: when you switch it on, the piezo igniter just keeps clicking but you don't actually get ignition. The fan is working. When you remove the 2 exterior covers, so that the gas jets are exposed, and then switch it on it ignites immediately: the GSR showed this to me when on-site.

I have attached a pic of the heat exchanger - which looks pretty clogged to me - so seems a reasonable assumption that no air is being drawn through it - and hence no combustion.

I'm no expert, but the GSR did quote for repair £1000 and replacement £2700.....this seems expensive to me for a 15kWh boiler that only has to run 2 sinks, one bath and 5 rads.


So, bearing in mind the photos - do you think this heat exchanger really is 'toast'? i.e is it worth me bothering with a repair - or should I just get some more quotes for replacement?


Any help anyone can give would be much appreciated.

 

[Dotty]

I'm actually more concerned about the suggestion that the op cleans the heat exchanger himself, which he has correctly said he wouldn't attempt.

The UKPF position on DIY and boiler repairs is that they do not mix. Unless you can be proved competent - through training and the registration with the Gassafe Register - you are breaking the law as laid down the Gas (Installation and Users) Safety Regulations. Plus there is the very real danger you could kill yourself and your family.

Stay safe. Call in a gsr.

And thank you Monoecho for following my advice.

 

[SafeGasInstall]

I visited job just 1h ago and will be sending a quote for boiler change later on today or tomorrow !

 

[Howsie]

Knackered then?

 

[SafeGasInstall]

me , no ! We went brent cross from there for some Japanese sushi and shopping and now home getting everything ready for tomorrows install in SW6
i drive a Transporter with cruse control not a Landy lol

 

[SafeGasInstall]

if anyone likes sushi pls google EAT TOKYO

 

[Dotty]

Love sushi. Used to disgust me mates when we went fishing out of brighton and I'd have fresh mackerel sashimi. Mouth's watering now.

 

[Howsie]

And surprisingly filling!