Tips for getting a boiler serviced?

jameskennedy

It's about time we got our Powermax 155 boiler serviced, I'm just wondering what I should be looking for. I'm tempted to go with a local Check-a-Trade guy rather than British Gas or similar. Should I insist that they have experience with this make of boiler? Are there any questions I should ask to make sure I get the job done well?
thanks for any help!

Pincher

Apparently, you should call HeatTeam, as run of the mill engineers will run a mile rather than touch the 155.:eek:


Interesting read:

http://www.powermax-repairs.co.uk/


http://www.miketheboilerman.com/powermax.htm

An extract:

There is something being kept from us regarding the Range PowerMax. I have several reasons for saying this.

1) A PowerMax user in Oxford died recently of CO poisoning. This was, according to initial news reports, the result of a British Gas engineer incorrectly setting the gas valve on it. This makes no sense to us gas engineers as all PowerMax models are room-sealed and gas valve adjustments, no matter bad, should never result in combustion gas entering the room. The technical details of this case seem to be being kept secret, presumably for legal reasons. I suspect that in addition to setting the gas valve wrongly he also failed to correctly replace the burner flange (using a new gasket as prescribed in the manufacturer's Installation and Service instructions) allowing combustion products to escape into the room, but I have no way of finding out definitively. Two British Gas engineers have now been charged with manslaughter and committed for trial. (Link to local newspaper story).





http://www.ukplumbersforums.co.uk/gas-safety-register-forum/7989-range-powermax-155x-service.html
Re: Range Powermax 155x service?

"i went to it yesterday for an annual service for someone who knew someone who knew someone....... Anyway i had it as "service Worcester boiler" so as soon as i saw it alarm bells rang (obviously rang around and no one wanted to do it) , i read the MI luckily before i started and it stated you must replace gaskets so i didnt take it apart but i did gas rate it, checked flue in loft space and did a FGA on it (Do you have to risk your life doing the FGA test ??? had to tape up the end of the probe on my testo to get it to seal to that screw hole!!!) needless to say i reported back to the office that we no longer service these boilers."

Maybe this is the inspiration for Robert de Niro's character Harry Tuttle in Brazil?

ollski

There is nothing more technical on these than any other boiler, the baffles will be rotten and have dropped into the tubes but if your fga readings are acceptable there is no point to try and replace them. Commenest major fault I find on these is the flues leaking in the loft. If you want your bi-annual full service done as per the mi's expect to pay for it as it will require a few hours and lots of new seals.

gas4you

Call in Heat Team

jameskennedy

I read that Mike the Boiler stuff too! It so happens that he lives down the road so I've given him a go for a quote, and I'll look into those other people you mentioned too

ollski

Pincher wrote: »

Two British Gas engineers have now been charged with manslaughter and committed for trial.

I think it's fairly important to say that the story is true and was investigated but no charges were ever brought to anybody.

Pincher

ollski wrote: »

I think it's fairly important to say that the story is true and was investigated but no charges were ever brought to anybody.

Maybe that 155 was made on Friday the 13th, named Christine,
and is bad to the bone.

jameskennedy

Heateam won't service it as it's over eight years ago, and Mike The Boilerman disappointingly says he's not doing any servicing until the spring. Handy.
I've contacted half a dozen local guys who say they won't service it, I think it's getting a bit ridiculous. It's not that old, and it's running fine. I'm thinking of getting in touch with British Gas or NPower and getting one of their bods to give it a once over, but I'm sure I'd get a better job done elsewhere locally. It's a pity none will do it.

Gerrard_8_lfc

Whats the Big issue with this type of boiler that most engineers will run a mile when they hear the name powermax ?

ollski

jameskennedy wrote: »

I'm thinking of getting in touch with British Gas or NPower and getting one of their bods to give it a once over, but I'm sure I'd get a better job done elsewhere locally. It's a pity none will do it.

Bet you wouldn't. Apart from the fact that everyone spouts on about how simple they are virtually nobody except the companies you mention will touch them. Bg probably won't take it on for a service until after the busy period unless you put it onto a contract with their new commitment to prioritize contract customers. If it helps I'm Bg and I spent 6 hrs servicing one of these the other day!!