Repair or replace boiler

chieftains

Hi,

We have a Vailliant 242E boiler, the hot water has now stopped working. The boiler needs a new divertor valve and heat exchanger (the water wasn't very hot before) - this repair will cost us £480. We think the boiler is 15 years old.

A new Worcester boiler will cost us around 3-3.5k to get installed.

I'm in two minds on what to do - what would you do in my position?

Thanks for your help :beer:

Crinkmeister

Get 3 quotes and buy a new boiler.

Browntoa

I've always had £500 level as uneconomic repairs for boilers especially for an old one , there is a good chance of another expensive repair next year

Chrishazle

The price you give for a new WB boiler sounds very high. We recently had a WB 24kw condensing boiler fitted, including Magnacleanse of the system, supply and fit Magnaclean filter (which meant modifying the return line near the boiler), modify the gas supply line to 22mm from 15mm, fit new drain point to front hall radiator and correct an incorrectly installed bypass line in the airing cupboard, cost for all this was £2450, 1 1/2 days for the fitter and an hour or so for their electrician.

macman

I had a new diverter valve supplied and fitted for about £65 a couple of years ago. Not sure of the price of a heat exchanger on that model, but the quote seems OTT to me.
It'll take you many years to recover the capital outlay in gas savings.
If it was a cheapo brand I'd say replace, but Vaillant is a premium brand and may be worth repairing.
Are you being quoted by an independent RGI, or a national? Remember that BG will be at least 20% more than an independent for an install.

Chrishazle

I knew the heat exchanger on our old Baxi was leaking, new one would cost about £320 and was available, further investigation revealed that there was a corroded hole in the firebox right where the heat exchanger was leaking. Guess what, the fire box for our 13 year old Baxi is no longer available - hence new boiler!

Although BG were expensive for replacing the boiler (so did not get the job) it might be worth looking at their single repair deals. They'll do a 1 off repair for £199 (parts and labour) if the repair is completed within 2 hours, £329 (IIRC) if it takes 2-4 hours. They also do a one off £99 (parts and labour) repair if you take out 12 months Homecare for £22 per month, so £363 would see your Vaillant boiler repaired (assuming parts are available).
https://www.britishgas.co.uk/products-and-services/boilers-and-central-heating/boiler-repairs.html

Crinkmeister

If you intend staying there, my opinion would still be to replace the boiler. If you intend moving house, then a repair may be the better option, but still a gamble as something else could fail.

Mr.Generous

On the boiler will be a GC number, something like this ...

GC 47-311-87 NG

the three sets of numbers are what you need.

Go to a heating parts website ie https://www.plumbnation.co.uk/boiler-spares/

Put in your GC number and see the price of available spares for yourself.
It will give you a good idea.

That boiler is available for Npower boiler cover too, see what they charge.