Time for a new hot water cylinder? (foam cracks and bulges)

[WesternPathfinder]

My immersion heater has stopped working (fuse trips when I switch it on). I was planning to check/replace elements myself but having had a look at cylinder, fear problem may be more serious.

The cylinder foam is distorted and cracked in two places. The foam bulges out perhaps 1cm around the cracks



(The hole is the result of me investigating)

Does this suggest the cylinder has had it? Before the immersion packed up, it was slightly noisier than usual.

All advice much appreciated.

 

[rpm]

Put it this way, if there is a problem it's gonna be messy when it leaks.

 

[Riley]

I’d get someone out to second opinion but I’ve often seen foam on a really old cylinder crack with no obvious damage to the cylinder itself. Just heat causing it to get brittle

 

[Best]

Sometimes the foam does bulge out.
Can happen if water leaks from a joint somewhere and goes behind the foam then probably steams it out in a bulge

 

[Welder]

Fact is, if the foam is delaminating it is not insulating.
Modern cylinders, especially if you specify 'economy 7' foaming have insulation that's a good twice (prob closer to 4x) as efficent as the old one you have.
At the ever rising price of energy I believe you'll be paid back in energy costs never mind peace of mind.

Oh I forgot. Often the element is impossible to remove without damaging the cylinder.

 

[WesternPathfinder]

Thanks all. Sounds like I need to get it inspected as a first step.

 

[Rob Foster]

My immersion heater has stopped working (fuse trips when I switch it on). I was planning to check/replace elements myself but having had a look at cylinder, fear problem may be more serious.

The cylinder foam is distorted and cracked in two places. The foam bulges out perhaps 1cm around the cracks

View attachment 36615 View attachment 36616

(The hole is the result of me investigating)

Does this suggest the cylinder has had it? Before the immersion packed up, it was slightly noisier than usual.

All advice much appreciated.

change immersion first see what happens..do you know how to do an immersion ?
centralheatking

 

[WesternPathfinder]

I've never replaced an element before, but having done some research and seen what's involved, it's a job I'm willing to tackle.

 

[Rob Foster]

I've never replaced an element before, but having done some research and seen what's involved, it's a job I'm willing to tackle.

ok....centralheatking guide to changing immersion heater element...others will chip in
turn cold water supply off to cylinder, let a couple of litres water out of hot tap. Leave rest of water in cylinder to keep it strong. turn lecky off and undo the 3 wires then with proper immersion box spanner undo immersion, it will resist,,, smart tap with decent hammer.
a little bit of water might appear as you undo unit. remove unit ...measure it and or go to plumbers merchant not bq get like for like plus a new stat. and small tub of boss white. smear boss white on thread carefully hand twist unit back into cylinder then nip up with box spanner. turn water on check for leak. re connect wires switch on listen to unit heating up. check temp and adjust thermo as required . sit down pat self on back open 1st of 4 beers bought on way back from plumbers merchant
Rob Foster aka centralheatking

 

[WesternPathfinder]

Thanks for the clear guide, Rob. That sounds do-able. Especially the last stage.

 

[Harvest Fields]

When you are hanging from the box spanner. Just be careful not to twist the whole cylinder.

 

[WesternPathfinder]

I'll bear that in mind. Thanks.

 

[PhoenixServices]

Also your cylinder immersions are side entry so once you have got the immersion cracked(moving) drain it from the drain point to below the immersion level. (Scoop out any scale if there is any when you change it and make sure you get the right type of immersion for your water hardness)

 

[Darren Jackson]

If it is really stubborn ( and it will be) then cut away some of the foam and apply heat to aid in removing them.

 

[Harvest Fields]

If it is really stubborn ( and it will be) then cut away some of the foam and apply heat to aid in removing them.

I also find if it is too stiff. Try tightening it up more then undo.

 

[WesternPathfinder]

Tips taken on board. Thanks all.

It looks like it's only the upper element (pictured) that's faulty. The Economy 7 element is still functioning.

 

[CHRISX]

ok....centralheatking guide to changing immersion heater element...others will chip in
turn cold water supply off to cylinder, let a couple of litres water out of hot tap. Leave rest of water in cylinder to keep it strong. turn lecky off and undo the 3 wires then with proper immersion box spanner undo immersion, it will resist,,, smart tap with decent hammer.
a little bit of water might appear as you undo unit. remove unit ...measure it and or go to plumbers merchant not bq get like for like plus a new stat. and small tub of boss white. smear boss white on thread carefully hand twist unit back into cylinder then nip up with box spanner. turn water on check for leak. re connect wires switch on listen to unit heating up. check temp and adjust thermo as required . sit down pat self on back open 1st of 4 beers bought on way back from plumbers merchant
Rob Foster aka centralheatking

Hello Rob,

I know that You have just missed this when writing your `Guide` to replacing an Immersion Heater - I am not `being funny towards You` - but just in case the OP does exactly what you wrote:

As the OP`s Immersion Heaters are on the side of the Cylinder He will need to drain off more than `let a couple of litres water out of hot tap` or he will be in trouble when the Immersion Heater is unscrewed.

OP / WesternPathfinder - You will need to drain the Cylinder to below the Immersion Heater point before unscrewing it.

Chris

 

[BYP]

Stabilising the cylinder is very important. That top immersion could be doable, but the bottom one looks like it will be a real hunt to remove. Depends if you’re wanting to use economy 7, if not and your doing it yourself, drain it just below the top immersion and carefully slack it off, make sure you have plenty of dust sheets down. If water starts to come out you will need to tighten it back and drain a bit more out. if it were me I’d be replacing the cylinder.

 

[rpm]

Also your cylinder immersions are side entry so once you have got the immersion cracked(moving) drain it from the drain point to below the immersion level. (Scoop out any scale if there is any when you change it and make sure you get the right type of immersion for your water hardness)

Hello Rob,

I know that You have just missed this when writing your `Guide` to replacing an Immersion Heater - I am not `being funny towards You` - but just in case the OP does exactly what you wrote:

As the OP`s Immersion Heaters are on the side of the Cylinder He will need to drain off more than `let a couple of litres water out of hot tap` or he will be in trouble when the Immersion Heater is unscrewed.

OP / WesternPathfinder - You will need to drain the Cylinder to below the Immersion Heater point before unscrewing it.

Chris

 

[CHRISX]

Hello All,

My apologies to PhoenixServices / - I had not read your message before posting my reply to Members Rob Foster and the OP / WesternPathfinder.

I also apologise to Members Rob Foster and WesternPathfinder for repeating what PhoenixServices had already advised regarding draining the Cylinder to below the Immersion Heater boss.

Thanks to Member rpm who watches my messages to try and find the slightest error / reason for disagreement for bringing this to my attention.

Chris

 

[Harvest Fields]

Hello All,

My apologies to PhoenixServices / - I had not read your message before posting my reply to Members Rob Foster and the OP / WesternPathfinder.

I also apologise to Members Rob Foster and WesternPathfinder for repeating what PhoenixServices had already advised regarding draining the Cylinder to below the Immersion Heater boss.

Thanks to Member rpm who watches my messages to try and find the slightest error or reason for disagreement for bringing this to my attention.

Chris

No hard feelings though mate.

 

[rpm]

I`ve just got a thing at the moment when people are in such a rush to post a reply that their reply is pretty meaningless because they can`t be bothered to read the complete thread.
Picked up on four and commented last night so wouldn`t let it worry you CHRISX.

 

[rpm]

No hard feelings though mate.

Pretty sure he hates me but Ho Hum whilst there is free speach.

 

[Harvest Fields]

I`ve just got a thing at the moment when people are in such a rush to post a reply that their reply is pretty meaningless because they can`t be bothered to read the complete thread.
Picked up on four and commented last night so wouldn`t let it worry you CHRISX.

It’s because we all love the forum mate. But also have jobs to do

 

[Harvest Fields]

Pretty sure he hates me but Ho Hum whilst there is free speach.

Hate is a strong word.