Combi Boiler: Cracked Electrode

Mark-W_2

Is there a Boiler expert on here who could offer me some advice?

I have a Radiant RSF 24 combi boiler which has a few issues.
I had the local boiler repair man around the other day as the combi boiler wouldn’t come on.
He had a look and subsequently found a crack in the ignition electrode, preventing a spark reaching the top of the electrode.

Therefore it needs replacing.
Now not that I don’t trust him, I just want a second opinion before I do anything.

Does the explanation sound correct?
What should I expect to pay for the part and for fitting it?
Have I used the correct terminology?

Sorry but I know nothing about boilers and I don’t want to be taken advantage of.

Thanks for an replies.

kaya

you will have a spark igniter on your boiler, a crack will stop it from sparking, easy peasy job to fix, 1/2 hours labour charge, i dont know current prices but i would expect to pay between £5 & £15 for the part, you dont need to be gas qualified to do the job as your not interrupting the gas line in any way, a handyman friend could possibly complete it for you? It will be held on by a screw/bolt, dont forget to turn off the electric first if you get somebody else to do it for you

Cardew

As Kaya said not a big job.

If the boiler man diagnosed it as a fairly minor repair, why didn't you get it repaired there and then? Will you not have to pay for another call out now?

However I know what you mean about plumbers, we are all expecting to be ripped off.

Mark-W_2

Thank you both for the advice.

I would have had it sorted there and then but unfortunately he didnt have the part with him.
He said he had dealt with a few radiant boilers in the past and assured me the parts were expensive, and took 14 days to ship.
He was going to get back to me the next day with a price for the part and a quote for the work, but that was friday.

I called radiant 5 mins ago and the part is less then £5 and it could be shipped today.
It's good to know that its only a 1/2 hour job, i think my father inlaw could fit it no problem.

Siftah

kaya wrote: »

you will have a spark igniter on your boiler, a crack will stop it from sparking, easy peasy job to fix, 1/2 hours labour charge, i dont know current prices but i would expect to pay between £5 & £15 for the part, you dont need to be gas qualified to do the job as your not interrupting the gas line in any way, a handyman friend could possibly complete it for you? It will be held on by a screw/bolt, dont forget to turn off the electric first if you get somebody else to do it for you

I realise this is an old thread, but I found it through a Google search and it's actually quite misleading and inaccurate...

The OP mentions that the engineer has suggested a crack in the electrode as being responsible for the boiler not working.

This post refers to the spark igniter/generator. These two parts are different, the electrode assembly is also only quite cheap to replace but it is part of the gas side of the boiler and therefore requires a registered gas installer to fix.

The spark generator/igniter, which kaya refers to is not attached to the gas side of the boiler and is a simple part to replace.

Just thought I'd point that out in case anyone else comes across this...