Vaillant boiler service options

Yorkie1

I have a Vaillant combi boiler that is probably 8 or 9 years old now (out of guarantee). I had it serviced during the guarantee period but now need to decide how to continue with its servicing.

Vaillant's fixed price service for £139 states it includes "comprehensive checks such as combustion analysis, gas safety inspections, hydraulic assessments, electrical system evaluations, performance testing, and water quality analysis. In addition, it will include cleaning where necessary the ignition systems and controls, minor adjustment of mechanical components,
tightening of joints or lubrication of moving parts, and replacement of non-functional or serviceable components, to include, gaskets, screws and seals."

It will not include "the replacement of functional components such as the pump, fan, heat exchangers, internal controls, and casing or the replacement of external controls and accessories."

Should a service of the boiler ideally include more than what Vaillant are offering, given the boiler's age?

Vaillant do offer two maintenance plans with D&G, which include money towards repairs or a replacement boiler, but I don't know when expensive things might start to go wrong with the boiler on average luck, and therefore whether the plans are worth a punt.

Any thoughts on what to do, please?

daveyjp

Go for a basic safety check by a local gas engineer. As my time served (now retired) boiler engineer who favoured Vaillant used to say.

Do the basic checks, visual checks and combustion gas readings, check for leaks and if all is OK touch nothing else as disturbing components on older boilers is when problems begin.

FreeBear

Vaillant, along with most other boilers, have gaskets that should be changed on a regular basis. So a quick visual check & combustion analysis is not always good enough.

My boiler has a little note saying combustion chamber gasket to be replaced next year (less than 5 years old) along with the routine checks (combustion gasses, gas pressure drop, ignition electrodes, etc). The magnetic filter (if fitted) should also be checked to see if there is an excess of gunge building up. If there is, it could be an indicator that corrosion inhibitor should be added.

born_again

A good local company is the best bet.

Albermarle

We have a WB boiler. Our local heating engineers AND WB themselves recommend an annual basic service ( usual cost is £80( ish) and some extra work every 5 years replacing a couple parts. Cost more in the £180 region.

Yorkie1

Thanks all. I'll look for a local person who deals with Vaillant and ask for a service plus the gaskets and magnaclean check.