Worcester 240 - diverter valve replacement

[boydell]

I seem to be fighting a loosing battle with my old boiler!

Several members kindly helped me with a small leak due to the rubber O-ring on the the coupling between the diverter valve and the heat exchanger back in January.

Now a similar leak has developed on the back of the diverter valve diaphragm housing where it joins the pipe body. It just drip - drips a bit when DHW is on... And I don't know if it is just a coincidence, but around the same time plumbers hammer has started up at certain hot water tap settings.

Can anyone tell me if it is a difficult job to replace the DV complete? Does it require any special tools? There doesn't look to be much room to get at the pipe nuts with a standard open ended spanner or monkey wrench? And does the part (87161424190) come with all the fibre washers? Any tips or advice welcome.

regards,
boydell

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

dont know about part no re fibre washers i would just buy a gionini e type replacement, they are easy to change but the small o ring will leak on the slip joint at the front your better off calling a gsr engineer

 

[LIFES A GAS]

Is the leak around the pin that triggers the micro switch when water is turned on ( the stuffing box) I think it's called, if it is then I think a small "O" ring is supplied with the genuine worcester diaphragm kit, I suspect you have already changed the diaphragm and that was the cause of your first leak.
Martin.

 

[rob jefkins]

Always replace the old o-ring with a new one. Rub a small amount of grease around it as well. I've had plenty of these to sort out !!

 

[boydell]

Thanks for the info gas man... it is appreciated.

regards,
boydell.

Thanks for your reply LIFES A GAS... to answer your question; no, the leak is coming from the backend (behind) the diaphragm housing, the narrow part where the barrel or body joins it.

I wonder if the diaphragm housing and the barrel (with the threaded pipe connectors) are all one piece or if it is a threaded joint and this is where the leak is coming from?

Thanks again.

regards,
boydell.

Thanks for the info rob jefkins... it is appreciated.

regards,
boydell.

 

[boydell]

Just to let you know. I replaced my diverter valve successfully and it cured both problems.
I opened the old one up out of curiosity and believe the leak was due to the back tiny rubber spindle o-ring being worn, perished, hardened or whatever, so a diaphragm kit would not have been any good as this part only comes with the diverter valve itself.
Regarding the rattling pipes when DHW was being drawn, the diaphragm spindle was broken in two on the front (microswitch) side of the diaphragm. I had fitted this new about a year ago (I can't remember where I got it from), but I am wondering if it was a genuine Giannoni part or perhaps there are some inferior pattern spares about? In addition to that there was a serious amount of rust on the small spring which is wrapped closely around the spindle (not the large or the medium sized ones).
Thanks to all for their kind advice... cheers.
regards,
boydell.