Boiler Troubles

kev_pecker

I wonder any boiler knowledgeable people might be able to help please?

I've got a Baxi Duotech Combi 40kw boiler, ~6 years old installed by the previous owners. In January it came up with an E125 code error (circulation fault) and wasn't working, the local engineer I usually use fitted a new plate heat exchanger and divertor cartridge costing me £320 and it was working fine after that. This week the same error code came up, after changing the pump it still didn't work and after fiddling with it for 20 mins he's now said the main heat exchanger is blocked/warped and needs replacing, this will cost £1300, does all this sound alright so far?

Anyway, he's quoted for a new boiler as it doesn't really make much sense to spend that much on it, should I get a second opinion? Would it be worth using something like the fixed price repair from Baxi at £335.88? https://www.baxi.co.uk/service-and-repair/book-a-repair Has anyone used them before?

The new boiler quotes he's given include a powerflush and scale reducer, I'm near Portsmouth, do the prices seem right? Valliant Ecotec Plus 838 NG - £2980. WB Greenstar 8000 style combi  40kw - £3150

Thanks in advance for any advice anyone can offer.

neilmcl

Baxis's one off fixed price repair is "from £335.88" so you will need to speak to them to see what exactly does that mean. Also bear in mind that if they themselves deem the boiler beyond repair you will still be charged £90 for the visit with an option of purchasing a replacement direct from them. Worth speaking to them.

Jeepers_Creepers

Hi Kev.

Check what's covered in the FPRepair first - many don't include the main exchanger (the single most costly part - in this model it's £700+!) and (bizarrely) the EV. Also check to see if the cover is void when the problem has been caused by sludge. From your two incidences, it would appear it is.

So I suspect you won't get a fixed-price repair on the mainX.

Is there a magnetic filter fitted? If so, how often is it cleaned, and what state is it in? This will be a very good guide as to the state of your system water. I suspect it's foul. Now't personal, like.

What to do? Well, IF the actual issue IS the mainX, then I suspect you are stuffed. We don't know that it is, but I guess it's a fair bet, especially if it's also warped as the guy claims. (Can't say I've heard of that before, but hey.)

I guess you can only confirm it's the mainX by calling someone else out, ideally Baxi themselves, but of course this will mean a further ~£100 lost.

If it IS the mainX, and if you can't get a fixed-price repair, is it worth forking out £1.3k for this? I'd say 'no', not in a million years. I'd suggest instead that you take a good photo of your boiler, also showing the pipes coming out of it and the flue. You then email a few other local GasSafes for quotes for a new boiler.

IF the boiler location is straightforward (easy access, all the pipes visible and easy to get to, and the flue is a straight out-the-adjacent-wall type), then it shouldn't cost anywhere near £3k to replace. Yours is an HE model, so already has a condensate pipe too, so that often-tricky routing is already taken care of. This appears to be a pretty straight swap - well under a day's work. And, yes, a powerflush will be part of any new install - and your system sounds as tho' it's literally gagging for it.

Photos of: boiler and immediate surroundings, pipework underneath (unless also shown in first photo), flue (unless also ditto). Also photo of flue terminal outside. I would hope quotes come back at <£2.5k.

Jeepers_Creepers

Well, I see nothing to suggest they won't cover the mainX - there's no 'see T&Cs' or 'exclusions' that I can see. All they say is, "If we can't fix your boiler, we'll only charge a £90 inspection fee and refund the rest of your payment."

Yours is only 6 years old, so spare parts won't be an issue, and it's well within the life expectancy of a combi, so - as far as I can see - it has to be fixable, and it's got to be worth a go.

https://www.baxi.co.uk/service-and-repair/book-a-repair

If the problem is caused by sludge, they might say they'll only fix it if you also have a P-F, and that will cost, ooh, £300-ish more. But I would consider that fair, and if you get it all sorted and cleaned for ~£700, I think that would be very good.

kev_pecker

Thank you for the replies, it's much appreciated.

I got another chap round who was recommend by a family member. He agreed that the heat exchanger needed changing and without prompting from me said, the best way to get it done is contact Baxi and get the fixed price service, it's like he read my mind because I was going to ask him about it.

So I've just booked an appointment online for next week and when they phone to confirm the appointment/take payment I'll find out what's included or not, since there don't seem to be any T&C's on the site.

If that doesn't work the new chap I got in said he'd quote for a replacement heat exchanger and it'd be much cheaper than the first guy, not sure how he can get it so much cheaper.

Jeepers_Creepers said:

Is there a magnetic filter fitted? If so, how often is it cleaned, and what state is it in? This will be a very good guide as to the state of your system water. I suspect it's foul. Now't personal, like.

There is, when the boiler was fitted 6 years ago they also moved it to a new location and changed every radiator. The first guy checked the filter, it hadn't been touched since it's last serviced in June 2020 and he said there was hardly anything in it. I think that's why he wasn't sure what the blockage was and mentioned the heat exchanger may be warped. I think he was guessing as he knew it was blocked, but couldn't work out why.

Jeepers_Creepers said:

IF the boiler location is straightforward (easy access, all the pipes visible and easy to get to, and the flue is a straight out-the-adjacent-wall type), then it shouldn't cost anywhere near £3k to replace.

The garage attached  to my house was split in two with half being a utility room, that's where it is. So easy access, flue straight up out the garage roof, just a like for like change.

He said he could do it in a couple of evenings and when I looked I can get the boiler + misc parts for £1600 and he did say to me he gets a good deal on Valliants, so I imagine he can get them cheaper. I don't mind paying the going rate if that's what it costs, but a minimum of £1400 labour did seem a little steep to me.

I'll update the thread to let you know how it goes.

Jeepers_Creepers

Nice job - that all sounds very positive.

Yes, the first guy was expensive - I don't think there's any doubt there. The MainX might cost us £700 or more, but they usually get significant discounts on this. That's fair enough - they need to earn a living - but to ask the full whack for the part and then the same again on top for labour is woooo. Ditto with his new boiler quotes.

When Baxi get in touch to arrange the repair, I personally wouldn't say a thing about what it could be - you are a layman, and are not expected to know! You simply have a non-functioning boiler, can give them the symptoms, but everything else is a bleedin' mystery

If they don't have these T&Cs - exceptions and exclusions - on their service website, and I couldn't see any, then it has to be as they say; they'll fix it if it can be fixed. They might, of course, mention some exemptions when they actually call you up, but I certainly wouldn't pre-empt that, because if they don't say nuffink, then they have to do it.

Keep us updated

kev_pecker

Thanks for the advice.

Baxi phoned, the boiler is still under warranty under the previous owners name, unfortunately they missed a service so it voided. Still good news though, they said I could sign up for a £13.50/month contract (12 month term) and they would come and fix it for that! After the 12 months it goes to £27 a month and I can cancel if I want to. I asked what happens if it's really expensive to fix and they said everything is included, even if it's the heat exchanger which is the most expensive part.

Seems to good to be true to be honest, I'll update next week after they've been round.

Jeepers_Creepers

Excellent outcome.

Rather than being 'too good to be true', on a 6-year old boiler it's actually 'fair do's.

I think it's fair to say that Baxi boilers have a 'variable' reputation, but I have also heard that the company is like (or could actually be) a 'family' business, and take that approach. If so, full marks to them.

Keep us posted, please

another_casualty

That’s great customer service from baxi 
It may be worth sticking with them after the 12 month period , as they seem to cover a lot for the money.
Nice to hear of a good outcome 

southcoastrgi

Your only mistake was telling Baxi it's missed a service, duotec come with 7 years warentee, I very much doubt the main hex is blocked 

kev_pecker

An update, the chap from Baxi came.

The boiler was installed in 2015, the heat plate exchanger and divertor valve cartridge were changed in 2018 and again in January 2021, he changed them again this week. He said as soon as the first fix was done in 2018 he would've been questioning what was going on and why this was neccessary on a 3 year old boiler.

He tried to get it going and did manage to get some hot water coming out, but said it needs a new main heat exchanger and it was caused by sludge in the system. The part has been ordered and they're supposed to fit it next week.

I still haven't received any T&C's and they haven't said anything to me about paying more than agreed, so guessing everthing is included.

southcoastrgi said:

Your only mistake was telling Baxi it's missed a service, duotec come with 7 years warentee, I very much doubt the main hex is blocked 

In fairness I didn't have any choice really, they asked if it had been serviced evey year and said they would require proof of it, I'm rubbish at blagging it.

I'll update next week.