New Boiler?! Service gone wrong?

Moneybox

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.

MikeJXE

Search on eBay for the part you can't get 

Moneybox

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

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

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

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

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.

FreeBear

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.

MattMattMattUK

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

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.

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.

Mister_G

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.

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