Scrap 12 Year Old Leaky Boiler or Replace?

pennypincher3562

Hi

I've got a 12 year old Ferroli Maxima 35C boiler that sprung a few minor leaks at the bottom of the unit; it started to lose water pressure as a result. It also has minor corrosion on the casing.

I got an engineer out and he initially suggested stemming one of the leaks with some sort of tape, and dealing with the other using what is known as an 'O Ring.' Total cost would be a few hundred at most.

He suggested that the Maxima 35C does not have a good reputation, and in his opinion it was coming to the end of its lifespan. This then made me consider full replacement at cost of £1500 - £1800, ripping the flue out etc.

Do boilers of this variety really only last about 13 years? I don't think I'll be in this property 5 years from now, and if I could get away with just patching the boiler up for now, I'd do it.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

MeterMan

The engineer wasn't wrong, most ferrolis are crap. Take the plunge, get a new boiler. If you feel like you don't trust the engineer who came, call another up, get a quote of BG, Helplink too, they are pretty competitive these days and can offer more peace of mind than a one man band (no offence to one man band men).

Teasedale

pennypincher3562 wrote: »

I got an engineer out and he initially suggested stemming one of the leaks with some sort of tape, and dealing with the other using what is known as an 'O Ring.' Total cost would be a few hundred at most.

Tape and an O ring for a few hundred... I'm in the wrong job.

Suggest you set an annual budget for repairs and get quotes to fix the leaks. If the fix doesn't work, or you have used your budget in significantly less than a year, re-evaluate.

Ferrollis do not have a good reputation, it is true.

Cardew

With that make/model of boiler it is coming to the end of it's useful life and you will probably looking at more expense every year.

Some modern boilers now come with a 10 year warranty.

elle_may

Had a warm front boiler that started to leak (ideal) corroded inside and to lose pressure. As it lasted us 9yrs with only the mother board replaced, were advised to have a new boiler as they could not believe it had lasted that long. So have gone for a baxi with 7yr warranty which i hope last's even longer. Sometimes you need to spend money to save money.

Teasedale

elle_may wrote: »

Sometimes you need to spend money to save money.

That only works if you have it! Otherwise you have to borrow money to spend to save, which is different numbers.

IMNSHO, accumulate money if you possibly can, then haggle to get the price down and part with nothing until it is finished. Long term you will save lots.

elle_may

Teasedale wrote: »

That only works if you have it! Otherwise you have to borrow money to spend to save, which is different numbers.

IMNSHO, accumulate money if you possibly can, then haggle to get the price down and part with nothing until it is finished. Long term you will save lots.

Lucky i have been putting money into a saving account just for this, instead of boiler cover. My annual service gas man had me up and running within 2 days of it going. We had expected to go every year as the boilers did not have a good reputation, so back to saving again, just in case.