We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
🔔 You've got till Monday to apply to become an MSE Forum Ambassador
New Boiler?! Service gone wrong?
This seems the most appropriate MMT Sub Forum for this… I think.
Please can I ask for some advice;
Old boiler, 20 years old. Glowworm
ultimate.
Serviced by a new company to me end of Aug/Sept. Apprentice did the service with an engineer standing over. Was really happy as it seemed so detailed compared to previous services and noted the pilot
Light burner was actually removed and cleaned which I don’t see normally.
Two weeks ago the pilot went out and would not relight. Engineer (same company, different person) found a lot of soot deposit and the pilot light was responsible. It was leaking and burning below the connection (found a photo online and have indicated in blue where the leak was). He commented that it was odd that there was no olive and this must have disintegrated / crumbled away.
At this stage I am thinking was this actually lost at time of service? Anyway engineer put in best fit olive he had and tape to fix problem temporarily as I am told I need a new “pilot light assembly”.
Today told the part is no longer available and I need a new boiler! I asked if there was not a “universal” part available but apperently not.
The boss is going to call me later (they didn’t) so wanted some insight and understanding into this.
Do olives really crumble away?
Could this be a result of the service. It had given no problems previously and there was no leak or sooting when serviced.
Will this sooting from the leaking pipe caused other damage?
Are there no universal parts that could save my boiler?
Not sure what my options are but feel really unsure and unhappy about this. I spoke to GasSafe on line and there is the option to request them to visit and report findings.


Thankyou for any explanation that helps me understand or advice on what I should do next.
0
Comments
-
Search on eBay for the part you can't get1
-
This seems the most appropriate MMT Sub Forum for this now… I think.Please can I ask for some advice;Old boiler, 20 years old. Glowwormultimate.Serviced by a new company to me end of Aug/Sept. Apprentice did the service with an engineer standing over. Was really happy as it seemed so detailed compared to previous services and noted the pilotLight burner was actually removed and cleaned which I don’t see normally.Two weeks ago the pilot went out and would not relight. Engineer (same company, different person) found a lot of soot deposit and the pilot light was responsible. It was leaking and burning below the connection (found a photo online and have indicated in blue where the leak was). He commented that it was odd that there was no olive and this must have disintegrated / crumbled away.At this stage I am thinking was this actually lost at time of service? Anyway engineer put in best fit olive he had and tape to fix problem temporarily as I am told I need a new “pilot light assembly”.Today told the part is no longer available and I need a new boiler! I asked if there was not a “universal” part available but apperently not.The boss is going to call me later (they didn’t) so wanted some insight and understanding into this.Do olives really crumble away?Could this be a result of the service. It had given no problems previously and there was no leak or sooting when serviced.Will this sooting from the leaking pipe caused other damage?Are there no universal parts that could save my boiler?Not sure what my options are but feel really unsure and unhappy about this. I spoke to GasSafe on line and there is the option to request them to visit and report findings.0
-
MikeJXE said:Search on eBay for the part you can't get0
-
I would have thought that an olive would be metal & not too likely to just crumble.
Have you asked Glowworm for the part no./ if the part is still available for your boiler?
a quick search of ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=Glow+Worm+ultimate+Pilot&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_sop=15
Having said that, if it is 20 years old & has a permanent pilot it may be due for a change anyway - depending upon your annual consumption the annual savings could pay for it in not too many years at current gas prices.1 -
My son is a gas safe registered engineer and has a few landlords as clients
All got old boilers they want to keep running as long as possible, many of those boilers he tells me are Glowarm and because he cant get parts he searches eBay and locates them even used parts1 -
Olives do not "crumble" They are a small ring made out of either copper or soft brass. Ideally, they should be replaced each time the joint is disturbed, but this doesn't always happen.Had a quick look, and depending on exactly which model your boiler is, it would appear that the pilot burner assembly is available for around £30. But if it is the olive leaking, then a new pilot is not going to fix the problem. You need a proper engineer with a box of appropriately sized olives... If you can measure the diameter of the offending pipe, you can get a small pack of olives for less than a £1.Should add - For small diameter copper pipe, one can use a forming tool to put a flare on the end, and then an olive is not required (often used on brake lines on cars). O-rings are also used from time to time (these can perish) as long as the joint isn't subjected to high temperatures.Her courage will change the world.
Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.0 -
BUFF said:I would have thought that an olive would be metal & not too likely to just crumble.Olives are either copper or soft brass, and you are correct, the do not crumble. Ideally, they should be replaced each time the joint is disturbed, but this rarely happens.If the leak is from where the pipe connects to the base of the pilot assembly, a new assembly is not going to fix the problem. I see a pilot pipe & nuts listed which might be the part the "engineer" was referring to.
Her courage will change the world.
Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.1 -
FreeBear said:Olives do not "crumble" They are a small ring made out of either copper or soft brass. Ideally, they should be replaced each time the joint is disturbed, but this doesn't always happen.0
-
MattMattMattUK said:FreeBear said:Olives do not "crumble" They are a small ring made out of either copper or soft brass. Ideally, they should be replaced each time the joint is disturbed, but this doesn't always happen.
Her courage will change the world.
Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.0 -
FreeBear said:MattMattMattUK said:FreeBear said:Olives do not "crumble" They are a small ring made out of either copper or soft brass. Ideally, they should be replaced each time the joint is disturbed, but this doesn't always happen.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/114656552925?hash=item1ab21027dd:g:wIYAAOSwgYNioa2r&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAA0ApN9rhuVCcFuv6EMgF2TM1XCdnATkyGuTeKkwE8htBZlIc6UbhgiyNHxgn94ZOCVszqeQYLAf8UcQDtpfN62nhxCm5iLx4GuS6QOLHlUhy2I7G0Au21QsqOh2gWmT/QgGcOCAtuqwJb4pZk5tO/vOsTfiGst0eWvMIaZYGxABr+eEq7Eb9e2m6mHhq4o1WRUxaYgbRsqWLvspd5799I+E4TpbZ8sKaSrScLiVR0BFsA/XdUdk/XzBCincYo+nMGrpIZLWA+0Z5G5WtTNjfh+Gk=|tkp:Bk9SR5Dg8vq5YQ
0
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 348.8K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.3K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 452.6K Spending & Discounts
- 241.6K Work, Benefits & Business
- 618.2K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 175.9K Life & Family
- 254.7K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards