Boiler help

monty100

As I type this I am being serenaded by our boiler - kettling so loud it wakes us up in the morning. It also goes through spells of not reigniting to boost temp when needed so we have to manually ignite it with the knob.

Boiler is an Ideal Minimiser SE installed in 2001 by BG.

We have put in anti noise liquid for a second time - it worked for a while last year, but not this time.

We know we need a new one but have no idea what type we should be looking for. After reading various threads on here I am none the wiser.

It is a 4 bed house built 1980s. 11 radiators, one bath, one powerish shower. We dont use bath much. 2 people most of the time.

We have micro pipes set into concrete floor downstairs, and under floors upstsirs. I have heard that power flushes are a no-no now with these pipes. When BG put our boiler in they did a flush which caused a blockage needing our hall floor digging up to fix!

I have a feeling 3 different boilermen are going to recommend 3 different solutions so am looking for some ideas in advance! Knowledge is power n all that!

plumb1_2

Get the boiler heat exchanger flushed.

monty100

We have cover with BG and have called them out before when the noise first started. They have not suggested this as an option merely sucked their teeth and said 'new boiler' - can we ask them to do it?

macman

monty100 wrote: »

We have cover with BG and have called them out before when the noise first started. They have not suggested this as an option merely sucked their teeth and said 'new boiler' - can we ask them to do it?

BG are soooo predictable-and they'll be happy to quote you for a new boiler-at 40% above the going rate. Find a decent independent GSR RGI to do it.

monty100

RGI = REGISTERED GAS INSTALLER, I guess, but what is GSR? Thanks.

Sput2001

GSR = Gas Safe Register. It's what used to be Corgi.

Mr_Ted

The biggest problem you have is an efficient boiler that will itself heat fairly quickly and a system that is restrictive due to the mini bore, and a fairly large system

The pump will not clear the heat from the boiler quick enough into the pipework and that is why you have kettling, and it is possible that no matter how much system cleaning you do you will not resolve the problem:(

What might be worth trying is to open the Lockshields as far as possible to allow maximum flow possible, as long as it doesn't affect the balance of the system and create cold rad in places

An inhibitor might also help?

Ultimately I think your looking at a boiler and system renewal unfortunately, and I would personally, as it is a largish system, eliminate a combi from the possibilities!

monty100

Today we had our annual service check from BG. I discussed with engineer all the suggestions here, and a few I had found on other heating forums.

Par for the course, he did not want to take heat exchanger out and clean it, thought that it would be a 'tricky job' for an independent engineer to replace the heat exchanger etc etc.

He did decide to undo the 'lid' of the heat exchange unit - removed 4 screws and peered inside, then started to fasten them up.

At this point he noticed that the screw hole front left had corroded and was not allowing purchase, also pointed out evidence of paint scorching on inside of larger boiler box. Quick look on his computer and no spare part (ie new 'lid).

It ended with (after consulting with his safety officer) him declaring the boiler ID (forget what, immediate danger?) and capping off the gas supply to the boiler.

So we now have no boiler :eek: and are forced into replacing this one now. We will not get a BG quote - he quite understood! We are considering a 'straight swap' for either Baxi solo (easier, no second electric wire needed to run to pump) or relevant Worcester Bosch. Have put job on to RatedPeople to see what we get.

Is it worth looking for an independent who would replace the whole heat exchange unit? Is it still available? Would we be any better off given that all the other bits that would link with it are 13 yrs old now?