Flue Seal Failure on Worcester Bosch Greenstar 18ri

macman

My mum's WB Greenstar 18Ri developed a leak today. The installer came straight out and diagnosed leaking seals in the flue (it has a horizontal flue extension about 24" long through an internal cupboard to the external wall). Only one had visibly failed, but he's changed both. The boiler was serviced in mid-December by the same engineer-no sign of a leak then. Originally installed in December 2008.
Two questions please:
1) is this a known issue with this model?
2) the boiler has a 5 year warranty, but the installer couldn't tell me if the flue is covered under that-does anyone know please?
If not, what are the chances of a claim under SOGA to recover the call out and repair charge, on the basis that a seal should last more than 3 years?

ollski

If it is the seal where the inner pipe was cut to length worcester will almost certainly tell you that the pipe was not deburred properly and that caused the failure.

arfurrrr

macman wrote: »

My mum's WB Greenstar 18Ri developed a leak today. The installer came straight out and diagnosed leaking seals in the flue (it has a horizontal flue extension about 24" long through an internal cupboard to the external wall). Only one had visibly failed, but he's changed both. The boiler was serviced in mid-December by the same engineer-no sign of a leak then. Originally installed in December 2008.
Two questions please:
1) is this a known issue with this model?
2) the boiler has a 5 year warranty, but the installer couldn't tell me if the flue is covered under that-does anyone know please?
If not, what are the chances of a claim under SOGA to recover the call out and repair charge, on the basis that a seal should last more than 3 years?

I think flue seal are going to huant the boiler manufacturers / installers . I know atleast one manufacturer whos 5year boiler guarantee does not include the flue .

and heres an image from a leaking flue seal that was caught at the right time




and another




and another

macman

ollski wrote: »

If it is the seal where the inner pipe was cut to length worcester will almost certainly tell you that the pipe was not deburred properly and that caused the failure.

In which case the installer (who also did the repair) should not be charging for it.

ollski

macman wrote: »

In which case the installer (who also did the repair) should not be charging for it.

Agreed, he may challenge that though.... as in it's really not worth persuing it.

macman

A little update: 24 hours later the leak was still there. Installer came back and changed a third flue seal (how many are there?).
This morning, it's leaking again. Came back this afternoon (this time with a mate) and they changed the entire flue. Will know tomorrow if it's fixed the problem.
I'm still awaiting a call back from a manager to explain why the seals have failed in only 3 years, but in the meantime the installer phoned WB, who confirmed that none of the flue assembly is covered by the supposed 5 year warranty.
I can see that the installer is going to blame WB design, and WB are going to blame faulty install...
It seems absurd that the flue is excluded from the warranty, given that it's a WB product and the boiler can hardly be installed without it. I'm now cynically wondering what other components are also excluded?
I had formerly considered WB a premium brand, but my belief is now beginning to waver.

ollski

Where is the leak showing itself?, most often the leaking seal is on the vertical grey pipe in the boiler.

jalexa

macman wrote: »

Came back this afternoon (this time with a mate) and they changed the entire flue.

Does that mean you have now lost all the physical evidence?:(

macman

I'm 200 miles away from the boiler, it's my mum's...I can only recount what I have been told by her and the installer.
Yes, they have taken away the old flue.

jalexa

macman wrote: »

I can see that the installer is going to blame WB design, and WB are going to blame faulty install...

Not a flue "expert" as such, but I understand "equipment failure". Multiple "failures" must have a reason, possibly a faulty seal batch in which case Worcester Bosch must "know" (and are being "untruthful"). Will give them the benefit of the doubt on that. Alternatively there is only one seal failure (possibly caused by the poor installation practice mentioned by another poster), and the installer misdiagnosed which seal. Or there is no seal failure but there is moisture ingress at the terminal, though that is just guesswork. Or (one for the forum boiler experts) could the boiler combustion setup (installer/maintainer issue) cause seal degradation?

On the balance of probability, IMO this is an installer issue. Pity the evidence is lost.

macman

I believe he first changed the two 'visible' seals, (one of which he said he could see a drip from) then another one (less visible), then finally (presumably because it was Friday afternoon, 3rd visit, and I'd said she cannot be left without CH and hot water all weekend) they decided the failsafe solution was to change the whole thing rather than mess about any more.
Needless to say they will now be an interesting discussion about what is chargeable and what is not. I'd reluctantly accept a single call out and the cost of the seals, but not the flue replacement.
The contractor is a long-established and well regarded local firm.