routine replacement of boiler parts

starving_artist

Just had an annual service on my Vaillant Ecotec Plus.  I haven't had any problems and the engineer didn't raise any  issues.  They have now contacted me to say that the G10 seal was last changed in 2018 and recommend it be replaced.  I checked my records and can't find anything about it ever being replaced.  Can any of you good people tell me if it is normal to replace parts on a regular basis and what is the normal time span?

FreeBear

starving_artist said:

Just had an annual service on my Vaillant Ecotec Plus.  I haven't had any problems and the engineer didn't raise any  issues.  They have now contacted me to say that the G10 seal was last changed in 2018 and recommend it be replaced.  I checked my records and can't find anything about it ever being replaced.  Can any of you good people tell me if it is normal to replace parts on a regular basis and what is the normal time span?

Quick search reveals that the G10 seal is around the main combustion chamber. Over time, it can break down allowing gasses to leak in to the main casing. In the process, various parts are exposed to elevated temperatures which can cause them to fail. There is also a risk that carbon monoxide (CO, not CO2) can leak past the casing seals.

Vaillant recommend that the G10 seal should be replaced every 5 years, so your boiler is due for a new one. Should have been done during the last service...

starving_artist

Thanks FreeBear.  I have a CO2 alarm so would hope it would pick up any leaks.  Perhaps I'll wait until the next service and mention that I would like it replaced at the same time as they want to charge me more than double the cost of the service to come and replace it now.

thegasmon

If the seal fails you may find the damage equals a new boiler. If the company knew the seal was due to be changed it should have been done with the service with the coat of the seal being added to the service cost. No extra labour costs needed. They are about £20.00

Next service tell the engineer you want the seal changed, note the date and ask again every 4 years. They will last longer than 4 years normally but it's safer and the heat exchanger really should be cleaned every few years anyway which means a new seal either way. 

The way I explain it is comparing it to a car service schedule.  At certain miles or time you replace the oil, filter, the spark plugs, etc.. 
On a boiler you replace seals, electrodes, filters etc. 

starving_artist

That's really helpful thegasmon.  They wanted to charge me £174 to come back and change it.

Albermarle

starving_artist said:

Thanks FreeBear.  I have a CO2 alarm so would hope it would pick up any leaks.  Perhaps I'll wait until the next service and mention that I would like it replaced at the same time as they want to charge me more than double the cost of the service to come and replace it now.

CO2 is carbon dioxide.
So what you have is a CO alarm.