Oil boiler failure

[Zeek]

Ok, so I knew this was going to come at some point, but it looks like it didn't want to hang on until summer!

I've got a c.20 year old Trianco oil burner. On Monday, it started leaking water out of the bottom. There aren't any leaks on the plumbing joints in or out, and it looks to me like the heat exchanger has cracked.

Based on the age of the boiler and the nature of the problem, I'm guessing this is going to be terminal for the unit. Repair is probably out of the question, and I doubt spares would be easy to find, and would probably be as costly to install anyway as a new boiler?

Anyone here an expert in these matters? I live on the Sussex borders, in case anyone is in the trade or can recommend someone decent locally to quote for a new one!

In the meantime, I need to decide whether to keep it off, or on a low setting. I am presuming that having it go on and off in the normal manner won't help the situation, and would be worse than leaving it permanently in either state?

[Zeek]

No heating experts to offer any advice?

What about internal leak sealer (like Radweld I suppose)? Anyone know anything about Fernox or similar? http://www.fernox.com/?cccpage=leak_sealer_ls_i&am...

Is something like that worth trying to keep it going until a new one can be installed, or is that just asking for trouble?!

[Ferg]

Try it by all means, but I think you'll do well to seal an oil-boiler water jacket with an internal leak-sealer. I have seen them repaired, but it's a labour of love. If you like welding....

[Zeek]

Thanks Ferg. It's not pouring out yet... I have to empty the tray under the boiler every 6-8 hours, so its leaking about half a litre in that time. I just need it to hang on until I can get someone to put a new one in (no idea how long that will take). Assuming it doesn't get any worse I'll be ok, but if it suddenly lets go, I'll be in trouble!

[Simpo Two]

Something called JB Weld was mentioned as being wonderful on another thread. Don't know if it would be suitable here though.

[Zeek]

Simpo Two said:

Something called JB Weld was mentioned as being wonderful on another thread. Don't know if it would be suitable here though.

Is that an additive that goes into the water system? The other complication is that I can't get to where the crack is, so any bodge jobs from the outside are out of the question.

[Chimune]

JB Weld has ledgendary properties and is quite hard to get other than internet shops. Works a treat to repair arcing coil packs, but as its just an epoxy type resin i dont think it will fix your heat exchanger....