Ideal Isar(!) - cover required? Help!

booter

Hi all. I've read through a few of the threads and thanks to stressedofdevon, I've identified the problem with my boiler! (Other than the fact that it's an Ideal Isar, I mean).

The boiler is around 4 years old and so far I've had 2 new PCBs(?) (first one within 1 week of installation, the second 1 month before warranty ended). The boiler was installed as part of the Warmfront scheme. (When the engineer came to instal the 2nd PCB, he told me that cover would be a good idea, as these boilers may have a problem with their heat exchangers(!), and that would be around £400 to replace.)

If I'd have known at the time the reputation that these boilers have, and the problems they potentially have, I'd have never had the bl**dy work done!

Of course, I didn't take out any cover, and now it's having the same thumping problems that stressedofdevon's had. So I'll be calling out my local engineer tomorrow for his opinion/repair.

However, my question is, what next? Do I continue to use my local engineer in the hope that the heat exchanger doesn't give up the ghost at any point in the future? Do I get cover sharpish? If so, what? Or do I rely on the B.Gas one-off boiler repair service at £69, and if so, does anyone know if it covers everything?

Any and all opinions/advice would be very welcome!

iamcornholio

I have an Isar and BG's cover.

Before getting the cover I have had 2 boards, a faulty air valve and blocked condensate trap in 8 years - so not as bad as some. These were fixed by a colleague for free, but seeing how the boiler will just get more probelms, I felt guilty and so got BG's cover last year at £12/m.

The heat exchanger is leaking on the seal - its OK when hot, but leaks when heating up from cold. This recently dripped onto the board again and blew it. BG replaced it but for some reason did not think that the heat exchange needed replacing (or boiler writing off and replacing).

It's still dripping, so I am just awaiting the next blown board

But, I can't fault BG's service or response time

gas4you

BG is probably the cheapest cover that can be 'relied' on, but I personally recommend taking out Ideals own cover. At least this way you get an engineer with a van full of parts for a first time fix.

booter

Thanks both for your replies - so I assume that the best advice is to get cover of some kind, rather than go with one off repairs as and when?

gas4you

A generalisation I know, but usually any breakdown on an Isar/Icos will cost more than a years insurance premiums.

These are the only boilers that I recommend my customers take out an extended warranty or cover of some kind.

Note some other post on here stating how bad people have been treated by the likes of Homeserve. If you take these posts onboard, then you won't insure through these.

booter

Thanks gas4you - I got my local engineer to have a look & he sorted (without charging, bless him - but then again my sis has used his services regularly and has paid him a small country's debt over the last few years!) I couldn't even get in touch with Ideal to even find out about their cover, so I've gone with B Gas cover - £10.50 per month, which apparently covers everything. Here's hoping I won't need it (yeah, right!)

The annoying thing about all of this is that the boiler that was removed when this one was installed was working perfectly - it was just that it was around 10 years old and apparently not very efficient anymore. So although my "new" boiler may help to save the planet(?), it isn't saving me any money (and I can't say I've noticed any difference in gas usage). And surely if loads of Warmfront "customers" are having similar problems with Ideal boilers, then as these were installed with the use of Government grants, then the Government are buying faulty/shoddy goods - with ultimately the taxpayer picking up the bill!

OK, rant over - I feel a letter coming on though - maybe Warmfront, Warmsure, Ideal & my local MP will all get a little missive! Maybe I'm just wasting my time ....?

gas4you

Glad to hear it's sorted now.

One word of warning though, BG cover won't and doesn't 'cover everything'.

Loads of small print and exclusions!

booter

Got the paperwork through today, so I'll give it a good look over. Fingers crossed! Thanks!