Any heating engineers / plumbers ? - help please

[rocksteadyeddie]

We have a 5/6 year old Ravenseat combi-boiler which has been nothing but trouble since we got it. We have had a few people come and "fix" it and still have problem after problem. It was serviced and power flushed in February and had a new PRV fitted. The current symptoms are that it needs topping up every other day, and 'reseting' before it will fire again. The latest engineer has diagnosed a faulty expansion vessel (which sounds reasonable) explanation for the topping up.

The engineer has also diagnosed an 'explosive ignition'. I have never really noticed any problem with the ignition - no particularly loud 'whoosh' or bang on startup - but then I have very limited experience. This was not highlighted as an issue earlier this year by the other engineer (he's on holiday until mid-December hence the change in engineer). The suggested remedy is first to change the gas valve and then part of the electronic control gubbins (I have a feeling this was replaced a couple of years ago but my wife can't remember exactly and she was in the property at the time).

The cost of all these remedies is estimated at £600-700 - more than the boiler cost (the property is about 1000 sq ft and has maybe 5/6 rads on the circuit), or a new boiler for £1800 (both plus VAT).

Questions for the PH experts:

1) Does this sound a reasonable diagnosis?
2) Is an 'explosive ignition' a problem that needs to be solved or could we live with it?
3) £1800 sounds a fortune for a relatively small boiler - straight swap for the existing wall hung boiler, flu straight out through the wall, good access all round. Is it?
4) Am I throwing good money after bad trying to fix the existing boiler?

Thanks very much in advance

Ed

[Hobo]

600-700 for repairs is taking the p!ss
1800 for a new boiler is taking the p!ss

You could get a new boiler with a 5 year guarantee, fitted, for less than 1k.

[mycroft]

I think you should dump it . You should be able to pick up a new one for less than £600 and get it fitted for about £300 .
Just seen your in London , not sure about fitting cost in your area .

Edited by mycroft on Friday 16th October 21:11

[69 coupe]

If your having to top-up all the time, then you must have a leak.
Are any of the rads showing signs of leaks, bleed valve area or along the the rad seams.
Saw a combi the other day that needed topping up every now and then, that had a really small drip-drip leak on the diverter valve inside the boiler.

Get the system pressure tested.

[dirkgently]

Hobo said:

6
You could get a new boiler with a 5 year guarantee, fitted, for less than 1k.

He has a cheep badly fitted boiler I don,t think the answer is another cheep badly fitted boiler.

Most ravensheat boilers I have come across have had an explosive cross light, think you may have to live with it.

[iiyama]

No idea about london prices as Im based near Southampton.

As had been said you need to find where the leak is, no point in fitting a new boiler if the leak is still there.

[Hobo]

dirkgently said:

Hobo said:

6
You could get a new boiler with a 5 year guarantee, fitted, for less than 1k.

He has a cheep badly fitted boiler I don,t think the answer is another cheep badly fitted boiler.

Most ravensheat boilers I have come across have had an explosive cross light, think you may have to live with it.

Go on then. Tell me what he should be buying & how much you'd charge for the supply/installation of it.

I assume what you will propose comes with a full 5 year parts & labour guarantee as well ?

[rocksteadyeddie]

dirkgently said:

Hobo said:

6
You could get a new boiler with a 5 year guarantee, fitted, for less than 1k.

He has a cheep badly fitted boiler I don,t think the answer is another cheep badly fitted boiler.

Most ravensheat boilers I have come across have had an explosive cross light, think you may have to live with it.

Thanks for all the advice so far. Greatly appreciated.

From the above can I conclude that the explosive cross light is not really an issue?

Thanks Ed

[Ricky_M]

Bite the bullet and get rid, they are terrible boilers.

£1800 seems a bit pricey, but depends on what boiler and how much work is required.

All new boilers are condensing and need connecting to a drain, they also need a 22mm Gas supply. So if you have neither near the boiler, could explain the price. Go to the Worcester Bosch website and find an accredited installer, you can get a 5 year warranty that way.

[homeimprovements]

As above really. You are being ripped off. Ravenheat boiers are inheranlty bad with expensive parts. You tend to find that parts for cheap boilers are expensive and vice versa with the extensive boilers

For your application you would be looking at a Worcester bosch 24i Junior combi. As yu already have a combi all your pipework is already there so is simply a case of cutting back the pipework and re plumbing. You would probally need to run a drain for the condensate. Cost would be dependant on the location of your existing drains. Assuming you have trvs and suitable heating controls you would be looking at about £1300.