Boiler - am I getting ripped off?
Discussion
Common question, I know, but:
Boiler (Ideal Classic) has stopped producing hot water of any sort. Gas is still working elsewhere, still energy supply to the boiler. The fan has previously made some very dodgy noises, and as it is a common issue I am sure it is a case of the fan seizing up and therefore not letting the flame ignite (further evidenced by the fact that the top of the boiler is hot - as if the electric motor wants to turn but can't).
Had a plumber come out. The chap turned it off and on, touched the hot top of the boiler, rung his boss and told me I would need to pay £650 in parts (fan and pump) plus labour to get it fixed, or they would sell me a new boiler. On top of that, despite being advertised as no call-out fee, I was told I had to pay £95 for the service as an "analysis fee" (what the f
k did I call you out for if not to tell me what needed fixing? Your delightful company?)..
Anyway - my gut says this is bullst and I'm getting ripped off, not least because of the dodgy call out fee and the lack of effort in "analysis". I will be getting a second opinion but what are thoughts?
By the way I can't figure out how to access the fan in order to spray it with lubricant to get it spinning etc.. and don't want to blow myself up trying!
Boiler (Ideal Classic) has stopped producing hot water of any sort. Gas is still working elsewhere, still energy supply to the boiler. The fan has previously made some very dodgy noises, and as it is a common issue I am sure it is a case of the fan seizing up and therefore not letting the flame ignite (further evidenced by the fact that the top of the boiler is hot - as if the electric motor wants to turn but can't).
Had a plumber come out. The chap turned it off and on, touched the hot top of the boiler, rung his boss and told me I would need to pay £650 in parts (fan and pump) plus labour to get it fixed, or they would sell me a new boiler. On top of that, despite being advertised as no call-out fee, I was told I had to pay £95 for the service as an "analysis fee" (what the f
k did I call you out for if not to tell me what needed fixing? Your delightful company?)..Anyway - my gut says this is bulls
t and I'm getting ripped off, not least because of the dodgy call out fee and the lack of effort in "analysis". I will be getting a second opinion but what are thoughts?By the way I can't figure out how to access the fan in order to spray it with lubricant to get it spinning etc.. and don't want to blow myself up trying!
From their website:
Should you have a boiler no longer covered by warranty and need a repair we also offer a fixed price repair option, which covers all required boiler parts plus labour. Please call the team on 01482 498660 for further details or complete the email form above and we will contact you.
Might be worth a call.
No point in spending £650 to repair when that's half the cost of a decent new boiler!!
Should you have a boiler no longer covered by warranty and need a repair we also offer a fixed price repair option, which covers all required boiler parts plus labour. Please call the team on 01482 498660 for further details or complete the email form above and we will contact you.
Might be worth a call.
No point in spending £650 to repair when that's half the cost of a decent new boiler!!
Thanks - will give them a call.
Quick update, grew some balls and opened the thing up. Tapped the fan into action and the thing is working again (though sounds very crunchy). Now just going to decide whether it's worth replacing the fan or just getting a new boiler all together. Probably the latter.
Quick update, grew some balls and opened the thing up. Tapped the fan into action and the thing is working again (though sounds very crunchy). Now just going to decide whether it's worth replacing the fan or just getting a new boiler all together. Probably the latter.
You can buy fan lube but it only lasts so long, get the fan replaced it should be less than 100 quid for the fan plus fitting.
The ideal classic is a great little boiler don't get rid of it, all spares are readily available and the most common fault as you have just found out is a stuck fan
good luck
ss
When we bought a house years ago the boiler went kaput 2 weeks after moving in.
So we called Br Gas and asked them if we joined the Homecare scheme with it currently broken what could they do for us? answer £23pcm for the year and a one off £165 fee. Parts and labour included.
We did this and loads of parts were changed fantastic. Ditto in our current house now in essence all bar the outer casing has been replaced within 2 years perfect - oddly on a 4 year old Bosch.
So we called Br Gas and asked them if we joined the Homecare scheme with it currently broken what could they do for us? answer £23pcm for the year and a one off £165 fee. Parts and labour included.
We did this and loads of parts were changed fantastic. Ditto in our current house now in essence all bar the outer casing has been replaced within 2 years perfect - oddly on a 4 year old Bosch.
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