Gambo Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 I have an aging (12yr +) Vokera combi Boiler that has started playing up (cutting out). Pressure is stable and fine, but it seems to be cutting out every 1 or 2 heating cycles(ie turn heating/shower on and no heat, go up loft and reset boiler and everything starts working again but only seems to last until next time I turn on heating and it goes off again and I have to go through same again). I checked for 'Air locks' in heaters and found 1 that was cold at top and hot at bottom......released the air from that and the heating (& that heater)seemed to work fine for 2 days then started playing up again, boiler turning off and same heater with cold spot. The advice I'm after is do I go and pay someone to look at repair or with age of boiler is that throwing money away, or should I go down new boiler route? Not flush with cash just now with Xmas/birthdays etc coming up but don't fancy wasting 2-300 smackers on a repair to find out I need a new boiler in a few months. Any boiler engineers want to chip in with advice? Ps I don't have any boiler service plan at present. If going down new boiler route, does anyone have good/bad experiences of said service plans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gambo Posted November 2, 2021 Author Share Posted November 2, 2021 24 minutes ago, Gambo said: I have an aging (12yr +) Vokera combi Boiler that has started playing up (cutting out). Pressure is stable and fine, but it seems to be cutting out every 1 or 2 heating cycles(ie turn heating/shower on and no heat, go up loft and reset boiler and everything starts working again but only seems to last until next time I turn on heating and it goes off again and I have to go through same again). I checked for 'Air locks' in heaters and found 1 that was cold at top and hot at bottom......released the air from that and the heating (& that heater)seemed to work fine for 2 days then started playing up again, boiler turning off and same heater with cold spot. The advice I'm after is do I go and pay someone to look at repair or with age of boiler is that throwing money away, or should I go down new boiler route? Not flush with cash just now with Xmas/birthdays etc coming up but don't fancy wasting 2-300 smackers on a repair to find out I need a new boiler in a few months. Any boiler engineers want to chip in with advice? Ps I don't have any boiler service plan at present. If going down new boiler route, does anyone have good/bad experiences of said service plans. Title should say 'OR repair' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobodymove Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 IMO, Stay away from service plans from major companies like homeserve, British gas etc Engineers are targeted on amount of jobs completed and or up selling products on site rather than sevicing the boiler fully or repairing it. In regards to a repair cost is dependant on remedial work required and if parts are required, could be a sensor ar 20 quid or a few hundred pound pump etc or it could just need a thorough strip clean usually a company will come out on a call out charge (60 plus vat at my last place) which is waived if remedial work accepted but is payable if you decide against remedial work so its weighing up whats best for your wallet Most new boilers will come with a warranty uo to 12 years dependant on the make and the installer as long as serviced once a year which again i would do through a smaller business rather than bigger companies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gambo Posted November 2, 2021 Author Share Posted November 2, 2021 39 minutes ago, nobodymove said: IMO, Stay away from service plans from major companies like homeserve, British gas etc Engineers are targeted on amount of jobs completed and or up selling products on site rather than sevicing the boiler fully or repairing it. In regards to a repair cost is dependant on remedial work required and if parts are required, could be a sensor ar 20 quid or a few hundred pound pump etc or it could just need a thorough strip clean usually a company will come out on a call out charge (60 plus vat at my last place) which is waived if remedial work accepted but is payable if you decide against remedial work so its weighing up whats best for your wallet Most new boilers will come with a warranty uo to 12 years dependant on the make and the installer as long as serviced once a year which again i would do through a smaller business rather than bigger companies Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Des Lynam Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 What’s the reading on the pressure gauge? It could be a faulty thermostat. I would reiterate the advice above regarding a service plan especially with Scottish Gas. Often they aren’t fully qualified plumbers. I had an crap experience with them where they made the problem worse then tried to absolve themselves of any blame. Ended up having to get a new boiler (Volkera as it happens). Unfortunately Volkera use cheaper Italian-manufactured parts. Though a bonus if you’re looking to fix it! 12 years is a decent return out a boiler these days though according to the guy who fitted mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Potter Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 27 minutes ago, Des Lynam said: What’s the reading on the pressure gauge? It could be a faulty thermostat. I would reiterate the advice above regarding a service plan especially with Scottish Gas. Often they aren’t fully qualified plumbers. I had an crap experience with them where they made the problem worse then tried to absolve themselves of any blame. Ended up having to get a new boiler (Volkera as it happens). Unfortunately Volkera use cheaper Italian-manufactured parts. Though a bonus if you’re looking to fix it! 12 years is a decent return out a boiler these days though according to the guy who fitted mine. My boiler in east Craigs was on its 24th year, only problem with that was a pilot light that needed replaced. TBF was not a combi, heated the water to a holding tank. As for Gambos problem, worth getting it fixed, 12 years is not that long a time for a boiler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruyff Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 Mines broke down a month ago. The hot water was working but there was no water going to the radiators. After doing the same thing, checking for air locks etc... Got TB Mackay to fix it, (****ing useless BTW), it was the pump that was knackered. Cost £300 quid for the part and for the boy to fix it. I'm not an expert on plumbing but it may be a similar problem with a similar cost. A new boiler will cost you thousands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Des Lynam Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 20 minutes ago, Harry Potter said: My boiler in east Craigs was on its 24th year, only problem with that was a pilot light that needed replaced. TBF was not a combi, heated the water to a holding tank. As for Gambos problem, worth getting it fixed, 12 years is not that long a time for a boiler. They don’t make them like they used to Harry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Brown Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 1 hour ago, Des Lynam said: They don’t make them like they used to Harry! Yip, mine just had its 20th birthday. We keep looking into replacing then doing eff all about it. I did do a couple of threads recently, one combi or conventional and another for Heat Pump. With gas costs, I may look back at heat pumps again, but so unsightly on the side of the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gambo Posted November 2, 2021 Author Share Posted November 2, 2021 3 hours ago, Des Lynam said: What’s the reading on the pressure gauge? It could be a faulty thermostat. I would reiterate the advice above regarding a service plan especially with Scottish Gas. Often they aren’t fully qualified plumbers. I had an crap experience with them where they made the problem worse then tried to absolve themselves of any blame. Ended up having to get a new boiler (Volkera as it happens). Unfortunately Volkera use cheaper Italian-manufactured parts. Though a bonus if you’re looking to fix it! 12 years is a decent return out a boiler these days though according to the guy who fitted mine. Pressure gauge is between 1.5 & 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highlandjambo3 Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 I had a new “system” boiler installed nearly two years ago (did mention it on another thread), basically……… It does the heating like a standard combination boiler with timers, thermostats etc however, the hot water is a whole different kettle of fish…….the system boiler heats up water and stores it in an unvented water cylinder (300L but you can get various sizes) I now have hot water on demand without the boiler springing into life when I turn on a hot tap or go for a shower. The cylinder is pressurised so the hot water flow is excellent and, when you turn on other taps the hot water flow does not drop as the hot water is already in the tank ready to use. My boiler heats up the water tank as and when the water temperature drops or…..I’ve used loads of hot water from the tank. My hot water taps have a higher flow rate than the cold taps. The best bit……the whole system (Worcester 27i compact) including tank & pipe upgrades cost less than the Scottish gas new boiler quote and is under warranty for 10 years, last service was £79. As mentioned, find a local “gas safe” engineer for the best deals and ask about a system boiler if your looking to replace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SectionG Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 With a Vokera it could be as simple as the Venturi in the fan being slightly choked, common fault on Vokera and an easy fix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gambo Posted November 2, 2021 Author Share Posted November 2, 2021 Going to call out someone tomorrow. Just went up loft to turn boiler on again and there was a smell of 'garlic' (not rotten eggs). Smell has disappeared now. Google search tells you it could be a gas leak ...... to some harmless chemical reaction happening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SectionG Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 Hopefully nothing too serious, not all repairs are expensive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArcticJambo Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 (edited) Just had our 20+ yr old combi Vokera replaced with an up-to-date one. Unfortunately the ******/gasket thingy on the exchanger thingy was deteriorating and leaking. Talked about green alternatives but decided to go with the tried and trusted. Wait until new green options are more common and cheaper. Hope your issue is easy to sort. 👍 e: the filter took out f l a n g e lol Edited November 2, 2021 by ArcticJambo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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