Water leak from Bluebird 50/70

[tommie]

Hi all, noticed a small damp patch a few days ago under the boiler, now today its become a small puddle.

Don`t notice any leaks on the incoming pipe joints.

I see a 2006 sticker on the front, so do you reckon its on its way out??

 

[Best]

Could very possibly be the boiler shell gone at a weld or bit of corrosion. Usually at one of the back corners of base of boiler.
Firstly have any auto vents, or pressure relief valve, etc, checked for leaks, or rain ingress from vertical flues.
It might be just bad luck, but I would check your system isn't corroding the boiler for some reason - no pumping over or absorbing air, if open system and that inhibitor was always in system.
Is it an HE (high efficiency condensing type), or standard efficiency? Also is it a basic heat only boiler, or system boiler (with pump, exp vessel) or the most complex - a combi boiler?
Why I ask that is the condensing boilers have more possible places for water to appear, including just the plastic condense trap and pipe, plus sometimes a faulty door seal can allow condense water leaks.
I assume you have a non condensing standard efficiency boiler. Unless you can have the boiler removed and blue casing taken of and shell welded, you will have to replace with a new condensing boiler with new flue installed to regs.
Personally I prefer Grant Vortex.

 

[tommie]

Hi, thanks for that, its not a condenser, its the Warmflow Bluebird 50/70 made in Lisburn i think?
the wet patch on the floor is very rusty, maybe the boiler shell?
I notice the Housing Executive and possibly PowerNI are still doing grants, maybe this would be the way to go? As i`m now a pensioner thats possibly an option. I`m in Co. Down btw.
Also see quite a few listed on gumtree locally, converts from oil to gas apparently, from £75 upwards.

 

[tommie]

Hi, thanks for that, its not a condenser, its the Warmflow Bluebird 50/70 made in Lisburn i think?
the wet patch on the floor is very rusty, maybe the boiler shell?
I notice the Housing Executive and possibly PowerNI are still doing grants, maybe this would be the way to go? As i`m now a pensioner thats possibly an option. I`m in Co. Down btw.
Also see quite a few listed on gumtree locally, converts from oil to gas apparently, from £75 upwards.

 

[Best]

Hi Tommie. There is a grant here in NI for up to £1000 to change to condensing oil or gas boiler, but that is if boiler is 15 or more years old.
I am not sure about any other grants, but just beware of some claims of money off deals, as the price you need to worry about is the actual final cost to you.
Your boiler was made in Lisburn, but only condensing type now available in any brand I believe.
I prefer the design, efficiency and build quality of the Grant Vortex oil boilers

 

[apcdave]

stick a second hand non condensing model in - you can pick them up for £150 - £200 - treat your system to a flush and add inhibitor - sweet

 

[Best]

stick a second hand non condensing model in - you can pick them up for £150 - £200 - treat your system to a flush and add inhibitor - sweet

Some are free if you know of someone going to scrap one.