Boiler leaking water

stephenb1979

Good afternoon,
I noticed a small leak has developed  in my 10 year old worchester bosch oil boiler.  
Some days there is more water than others. I managed to locate the leak on the right side of the boiler, and can feel the dampness by putting my finger inside the boiler insulation material. 
A plumber came out, checked the external pipes and said it was a pinhole leak in the boiler and suggested I use boiler sealant., but was very keen to sell his services for installing a new boiler  I asked the plumber to try the sealant, he stated he would order it but haven't heard from him since (over 3 weeks ago) He also stated it was safe to continue to use the boiler.
I have 3 questions:
1. Is it still safe to use the boiler?
2. Should the plumber have examined the boiler more?
3. Is boiler sealant worth using (and is it easy to apply?Any recommendations)
Regards

Myser

Depends where the leak is.  Leak sealer isn't recommended for all boilers as it can clog the heat exchanger.  How confident are you that the plumber has identified the source of the leak correctly?  Were they Gas Safe registered?

stephenb1979

Thanks for your reply. To be honest, the plumber didn't even start to take anything apart, he removed the front panel from the oil boiler but didn't do any further examinations after he had checked the pipes for any leaks.
A new boiler will set me back approx £1600 with install, but if a sealant will get me by for 12 months I'd happily do that.  At the moment the leak is with only small amounts of water on the floor, but I'm concerned it may get worse. 
I was assured that I would get many years from a Worcester bosch oil boiler. Are leaks common after 10 years?

Myser

It isn't common after just 10 years - I would look for someone trained on Worcester-Bosch to take a look.  You can find someone local using the search on the Worcester-Bosch website.

In the meantime, can you take some close up photos of where you think the leak is?

stephenb1979

Water is leaking from the right hand side. It drips down on to the floor from behind the silver insulation material.  It's not very much, but w are only running the boiler for 30 minutes twice a day at the moment.  The leak appeared to be more water  when we had all the radiators switched off.  We turned them on last week when it was colder and less water appears to be leaking.  Not sure if that's related. 

Myser

It looks as though you have had a slow leak for some time as there are signs of rust and corrosion.  Is there an expansion vessel and has it been tested?

stephenb1979

Thanks again.
I really don't know if there is an expansion vessel, my knowledge is limited.  If it's the expansion vessel is it an expensive fix?
I know that it's a gravity operated system 

stephenb1979

It's not a combi boiler.  

stephenb1979

Would this type have an expansion vessel?

Myser

There will be no expansion vessel with that system.  When was the boiler last serviced and was the heat exchanger inspected/cleaned?

How is the flue run?

You should be able to use boiler sealer, just check with Worcester-Bosch which one they recommend.

stephenb1979

The flue goes out the side of an adjacent wall (see pic)  The boiler was last serviced 12 months ago.
Not sure if the heat exchanger was inspected/cleaned.
Is it likely to be a pinhole leak then with sealant possibly keeping it going for maybe 12 months? As mentioned, the leak is minimal at the moment.  Thanks for all your guidance.