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New Boiler?! Service gone wrong?

Moneybox
Moneybox Posts: 194 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
edited 20 January 2023 at 4:45PM in Energy
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.
«1

Comments

  • MikeJXE
    MikeJXE Posts: 3,828 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    Search on eBay for the part you can't get 
  • Moneybox
    Moneybox Posts: 194 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 20 January 2023 at 4:45PM
    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. 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.
  • Moneybox
    Moneybox Posts: 194 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    MikeJXE said:
    Search on eBay for the part you can't get 
    Yes that’s one of my plans. I am waiting to hear back with detail of the part from this service company so I can search myself, It’s the pilot burner assembly but they say it’s not available for this boiler. I found some universal kits but was told no universal parts would be suitable. They only advise I need a new boiler. Currently they fixed it with a temporary solution, which was tape and best fit olive on the van. It works but told it’s temporary until a new boiler is fitted.
  • BUFF
    BUFF Posts: 2,185 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    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.
  • MikeJXE
    MikeJXE Posts: 3,828 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    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 parts 
  • FreeBear
    FreeBear Posts: 17,625 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    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.
  • FreeBear
    FreeBear Posts: 17,625 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    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.
  • MattMattMattUK
    MattMattMattUK Posts: 10,357 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper
    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.
    If that is all they are could anyone with a milling machine or lathe knock one up with the correct measurements, anyone with a basic metalworking shop, school etc?
  • FreeBear
    FreeBear Posts: 17,625 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    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.
    If that is all they are could anyone with a milling machine or lathe knock one up with the correct measurements, anyone with a basic metalworking shop, school etc?
    I have a lathe or two. But for what olives cost to buy, it is hardly worth the effort to turn one up.

    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.
  • Mister_G
    Mister_G Posts: 1,944 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    FreeBear 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.
    If that is all they are could anyone with a milling machine or lathe knock one up with the correct measurements, anyone with a basic metalworking shop, school etc?
    I have a lathe or two. But for what olives cost to buy, it is hardly worth the effort to turn one up.

    Indeed - chose your size!

    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

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