Combi Boiler Problems!

tigger2000

Hi All,
Am new to this site but thought it may be worth trying to seek some advice! We have lived in our house about a year and a half now and back in April we had our Gemini solar combi boiler serviced and were told we needed a new diverter valve costing £169 plus labour. At the time we could not afford this and as long as we turned of all radiators manually we could get hot water so we left it.

Since turning the radiators back on this winter we now can no longer get hot water. We asked a different plumber to come out(hoping fr a cheaper quote!)and he came out and diagosed same problem and said he would phone with a quote. He did not charge as and said he could not get the part. We started phoning around and found the part not easy to get hold and the general opinion was to look for a new boiler. We then got a phonecall on Monday morning from a heating company that claimed they had the part in stock and could fix it for £149plus labour the next day,I explained the make of the boiler and the problem. Fed up with cold showers we agreed to this price. The next day an employee of the company arrived 3 hours late, took the boiler apart then said he could not fix it and probably would not be able to get hold of the part, then charged us £64 for his labour and diagnosis!:mad:

When i phoned the company to ask for an explanation they told me I had not told them the name of the boiler and they could get the part but could not guarantee how long it would take so would not give quote. Un happy with this and with even less money to spare we have not asked them to do the job.

So sorry its long but advice please! Can I anything about the money lost already? Do I try and get the boiler fixed? Do I get a new boiler?
I notice british gas will repair boilers for £154 including parts and not charge you if they cant..sounds a good offer? Hope someone has some good advice! Thank you in advance

Canucklehead

HI

I know it's annoying but they have your money and it's up to you to try and get it back, it will take a lot of effort and they know that .If you have the time then try, otherwise focus on the fact you have no functioning boiler.

Do you have any more detail on the boiler ,can you find a data plate somewhere underneath it or inside .Any info would be useful such as G.C. number.Before you try BG lets see if the boiler is obsolete first. ( Do you have the manual?)
If you can't afford a repair how will you fund a new boiler?

Corgi Guy.

tigger2000

Thank you for your reply. It restores some of my faith in people!

I have the manual and have tried phoning them direct but no such number any more.It is dated 1996.I am going to show my absolute no knowledge of boilers by saying I dont know what G.C number is but I have found a serial number? It also says it is an 80E.

The idea about funding a new boiler was only if we pay in installments but still no we will have to start saving!

I am willing to put effort into getting money back but would not no where to start as I feel its my word against theirs! I know they have not done what they said and have basically charged me for a diagnosis that I told them.

Thank you again for taking the time to reply:T

Canucklehead

Hi
Did a little digging and I think this is what you have....
http://www.icicaldaie.co.uk/manuals/boilers/80E%20&%2096E%20Installation%20Manual.pdf

See here....
http://www.icicaldaie.co.uk/viewproducts.asp?ID=355

Give them a call and see if the part is available.

HTH Corgi Guy.

tigger2000

Thank you will definatley look into that.
Incidently, today I turned on the water to try and run a bath(using kettle as well!) for the kids and the water got so hot you could not touch it? Surely if it is the diverter valve it should not suddenly start working? There appears no rhyme or reason to when it gets warm, some times it will and sometimes it won't- not very helpful!Mystery to me!!