Powermax 155 boiler british gas say no parts available

rev229

We have just had our 11 year old powermax 155 serviced. British gas hate this boiler and very year we get the same story about how awful these boilers are. no-one else wants to service them! This year we have been told if it breaks down no further parts are available and a new boiler will be needed!! They are offering me a free no obligation quote for a new boiler. The engineer who did the servicing give me a rough guide of £4000:eek:! . Can this possibly be that expensive we though 3000 ish! Now do we wait until it dies or just have it changed while it is still working. We have 2 disabled kids so no hot water and heating would be difficult. we do have a electric shower and gas fire so could manage for a few days if the worse happens. Being MSE I don't like the idea of spending money unless I have to! Any advise welcome!

gas4you

Some parts are available for this boiler, but BG will say what they did, because they have their own parts list.

These boilers are awful though and have been proven dangerous and unreliable.

I wont work on them and always advise to get rid asap.

I would have thought more like £2500 to have it changed.

Canucklehead

rev229 wrote: »

We have just had our 11 year old powermax 155 serviced. British gas hate this boiler and very year we get the same story about how awful these boilers are. no-one else wants to service them! This year we have been told if it breaks down no further parts are available and a new boiler will be needed!! They are offering me a free no obligation quote for a new boiler. The engineer who did the servicing give me a rough guide of £4000:eek:! . Can this possibly be that expensive we though 3000 ish! Now do we wait until it dies or just have it changed while it is still working. We have 2 disabled kids so no hot water and heating would be difficult. we do have a electric shower and gas fire so could manage for a few days if the worse happens. Being MSE I don't like the idea of spending money unless I have to! Any advise welcome!

Hi: for your version of the 155, check for spares here. Good advice here.

Get independent RGIs in to conduct a site survey and discuss your requirements.

I can understand why BG want to roll that Powermax off their system.:eek:

HTH

Canucklehead

rev229

Thanks for the info. What would be the best boiler to replace the powermax with? Seriously feel we should dip into our savings and just replace it sooner rather than later!

Canucklehead

My OH recently replaced a Powermax with a Viessmann Vitodens 100 and Oso Super S unvented cylinder (Honeywell controls) but a RGI who has actually seen the job would be best placed to advise. Ask 5 RGIs what they would fit and you'll get 5 different answers.

HTH

Canucklehead

gas4you

If you only have one bathroom and shower, a good quality combi of at least 28/30Kw will do the job nicely.

rev229

We have 2 showerooms 1 with an electric shower the other a normal mixer shower. No baths in the house.

SailorSam

Is your boiler breakdown cover with BG. What does the policy say.
I had to replace my boiler earlier in the year ( not powermax), my insurance cover (not BG) said i was entitled to a maximum figure in repairs, or if the boiler couldn't be repaired a contribution towards a new one. The new boiler i got was an Ariston with a 5yr guarantee which meant 'cos i'm not going to have to pay any insurance for the next 5yrs and i got a contribution from the insurance of my old boiler, replacing it wasn't going to cost me as much as i feared.

gas4you

rev229 wrote: »

We have 2 showerooms 1 with an electric shower the other a normal mixer shower. No baths in the house.

A combi will do fine then. Look for a 30-35Kw if you have suitable cold mains flow.

rev229

British gas insurance they are the only ones who would insure us, no-one else wanted to know! I will check the policy, thanks.

ziggyman99

I am one of the few engineers who seems to like the challenges the Range Powermax presents. I have the scars to prove it! They were a great concept but poorly exercised. They are very efficient - even compared to modern condensing boilers - and have phenominal recovery times. It's a pity they had so many issues.
Most Powermax's have had it although spares are readily available. I will happily service them but always warn my customers of the limited life they have left. All of them are on borrowed time.
I removed one in a house that had 25+ litres per minute of mains water coming into the property. The customer want his cupboard back but didn't want to lose any performance from his hot water. Tall order. I fitted a Vaillant 937 storage combi in the loft even though I had doubts it would cope. The smile on mine and the customers face said it all. A great boiler with staggering performance.