Aqualisa shower is dripping, repair or new cartridge?

[cjs]

I need to fix a dripping Aqualisa 609 thermostatic shower mixer. I thought I could just fit a new washer/seal but am being told I need a complete new cartridge at £70+ ish!!

Anyone know what my options are?

Also is it an easy job to swap out the cartridge?

[davidd]

cjs said:

I need to fix a dripping Aqualisa 609 thermostatic shower mixer. I thought I could just fit a new washer/seal but am being told I need a complete new cartridge at £70+ ish!!

Anyone know what my options are?

Also is it an easy job to swap out the cartridge?

I did one last year and it was pretty simple to do.

[furtive]

Yes I've replaced them a couple of times and they are pretty easy to replace. And I think it's your only option

[elanfan]

I am NOT a plumber but have owned 2 of the Aqulisa showers for 15 years. IF they work in a similar manner to mine then the leak is not caused by the coil in the thermostat but by a black 'O' ring that if I remember correctly sits on the back of the thermostat cartridge where the water is introduced to the cartridge (if that makes sense) it is simple to replace.

However ring Aqualisa's helpline and get it confirmed - should only be a few pence

Edited by elanfan on Monday 5th December 15:34

[cjs]

elanfan said:

I am NOT a plumber but have owned 2 of the Aqulisa showers for 15 years. IF they work in a similar manner to mine then the leak is not caused by the coil in the thermostat but by a black 'O' ring that if I remember correctly sits on the back of the thermostat cartridge where the water is introduced from the supply pipes to the cartridge (if that makes sense)i.e. it is in effect the on/off washer like you'd have in a tap - it is simple to replace.

However ring Aqualisa's helpline and get it confirmed - should only be a few pence

This is what I wanted to hear! I'll do a bit more investigation, thanks.

[Arthur Jackson]

The 'o'-ring in question ISN'T actually the on-off, it's the seal where the cartridge fits into the surround. It's an arse to get out, but obviously do-able. Getting a replacement would be the awkward thing, I'm not sure if it's a standard size (I'm not saying it ISN'T though.)

[Simpo Two]

I'm going to pop in here as I have the same problem but with an Axis Digital (pumped) - the grey box is in the roof just above:

I've removed the hose and head and it still drips from the base so we know it's not 'head dumping'.

However, with that possibility removed Aqualisa tell me:

Aqualisa said:

If the drip continues, it will be due to the flow valves inside the processor not shutting off.

There are two options we can offer you:

A digital repair kit – This would include the engineers callout, a repair on the processor box and a replacement controller. The total for this is £260 inc vat. The parts will come with a 2 year guarantee and the complete shower will be covered for 3 months from the date of the visit.

A replacement shower – This would include the engineers callout and a full new digital shower. The cost for the un-pumped A1 shower is £475 inc VAT and the pumped A2 shower is £495 inc vat. The shower will come with a 3 year guarantee. For this option we would need to check the following...

Not impressive for a shower that's one year out of warranty and only gets used once a day for about 2 mins. Now my hunch is that it's limescale or a bit of clag... any suggestions on which bit to poke?

[furtive]

How long ago was that Axis installed? They have a 5 year warranty...

Mine dripped when first installed and Aqualisa came out to replace various valves inside the box to fix it

[Simpo Two]

furtive said:

How long ago was that Axis installed? They have a 5 year warranty...

Mine dripped when first installed and Aqualisa came out to replace various valves inside the box to fix it

6 years ago unfortunately! It's done it before and they were happy to send new parts (two new hose/heads and a new wall-mounted bit) but now there's money involved I'm trying to be more creative.

Not sure if the offending part is in the wall part or in the box. Where's Arthur?

In fact I might talk to the suppliers; they might know which 2p O-ring it is and how to get to it

[Simpo Two]

Anyone?

[elanfan]

Simpo - I'd go back to them and suggest they look at the sale of goods act (you might want to do a bit of googling). Essentially it gives you up to 6 years protection. If it were some cheap piece of crap then you'd be on sticky ground but a unit that is almost £500 I think you would have some chance. It might also get to the stage that it is cheaper to deal with you than go through small claims with you.

They don't like adverse publicity either - the fact that you are an established member of a Forum read by millions of people a month might be worth mentioning.

[Simpo Two]

elanfan said:

Simpo - I'd go back to them and suggest they look at the sale of goods act (you might want to do a bit of googling). Essentially it gives you up to 6 years protection. If it were some cheap piece of crap then you'd be on sticky ground but a unit that is almost £500 I think you would have some chance. It might also get to the stage that it is cheaper to deal with you than go through small claims with you.

They don't like adverse publicity either - the fact that you are an established member of a Forum read by millions of people a month might be worth mentioning.

Thanks for the info - but the unit was bought in about June 2005 so over six years old.

I wasn't impressed that one of their options was 'buy a new one'. Nope, there has to be a better way...

A digital repair kit – This would include the engineers callout, a repair on the processor box and a replacement controller. The total for this is £260 inc vat.

Maybe if a 2p O-ring doesn't fix it, they would sell me the 'repair kit' alone? That would save the labour element.

[FUBAR]

cjs said:

elanfan said:

I am NOT a plumber but have owned 2 of the Aqulisa showers for 15 years. IF they work in a similar manner to mine then the leak is not caused by the coil in the thermostat but by a black 'O' ring that if I remember correctly sits on the back of the thermostat cartridge where the water is introduced from the supply pipes to the cartridge (if that makes sense)i.e. it is in effect the on/off washer like you'd have in a tap - it is simple to replace.

However ring Aqualisa's helpline and get it confirmed - should only be a few pence

This is what I wanted to hear! I'll do a bit more investigation, thanks.

I went out and bought the whole unit when mine went last year, then tried the o-ring before swapping the whole unit and hey presto. Typical!