Leaking Maine Water Boiler

chloe99_2

Hi all

We have separate water and central heating boilers. Both prob approx 10 yrs old or more but work work extremely well and heat the water/rooms very well.

The Maine hot water boiler has unfortunately developed a big leak. There's nothing else wrong with it but unfortunately you can't get plumbers out for such a small job anymore. Don't really want to replace with a combi boiler right no due to cost but we might be forced so.

So, can anyone help work out how to fix the leak?

We're losing about 1 litre of water per 1.5 hours. The leak isn't round the boiler area itself but below it. If you take the cover off the boiler there's a small depth of about 4 inches between the bottom of the boiler and where the bottom of the boiler cover goes when it's on. There's a horizontal metal plate here (where the bottom of the boiler cover goes) the same size as the boiler which makes the working gap narrow at approx 4 inches. In this area you can see the inlet pipe rising and the heated water coming back down (amongst other things).

The leak is in this area but we haven't been able to pinpoint it.

As a quick fix we tried tightening the joints on the up and down pipes but no improvement.

If we identified where the leak is coming from are we even going to be able to fix it ourselves? It's a very narrow gap to work in with other boiler bits in the way. My husband isnt keen to dismantle the thing as he isn't confident he could put it back together safely.

Thanks

Sarah

Canucklehead

Hi

One of these? http://www.heatandplumb.com/acatalog/Main_Water_Heater_Multipoint_Balanced_Flue.html
It also comes in a fanned flue.
Might be the diaphram section where the pin moves up to fire the burner ('o' ring seal.)That would require a service kit.
If you find it's the heat exchanger then the whole thing can be replaced except the flue through the wall (dependant on it's condition).
Cue a 'competent diy'er' who will fix the leak with a piece of chewing gum and a jubilee clip and save at least £500 for 2 hours work.Oh and it will last forever.:rolleyes:

What do I know i'm only a corgi

Corgi Guy.

chloe99_2

Thank you (again!).

Please excuse me for being a complete plumbing dunce, but it's a huge water leak, the boiler still works fine (for now!) - so would either of the two problems you said create water leaks "diaphram section where the pin moves up to fire the burner ('o' ring seal.)" and "heat exchanger"?

Its an old main mersey super, not the one in your link and I couldn't find any photos of it on the net -does that tell you anything more?

So frustrating that leak is in visible area but can't see where it's coming from. I might try leaving water supply off for 24 hours so it dries out, turning it back on and firing up the boiler for a couple of minutes, then switch it all off, get the cover off and watch and see if I can at least see which side of the thing it's leaking from.

Do you think it's looking like I'm going to have to pay the money for a replacement combi boiler (grrr)?

Thanks

Sarah

Canucklehead

Hi

http://www.partsarena.com/baxi/System/index.htm
Start with 'Main' and work through the menu.All will be revealed.

Is this it?
I would ,as you say , turn off the water and see what happens, it'll help stop water damage to the parts as well.
You should get someone (yes the c word) Corgi to delve further into the main casing if that's where it seems to be from.
You can replace the heater you don't need to upgrade to combi unless you want to.
Corgi Guy.