Boiler backplate pinhole repair. Liqud steel or car body filler perhaps?

Sep 11, 2021 Last reply: 4 years ago 1 Replies

Enlightened collective, wondering if you can throw some suggestions into my pot of ideas?



Micromat/MAN condenser boiler at home installed in 2005 and caressed through the years but alas I fear its time is nearing an end.



The wall side of the back panel doubles up as top to bottom piping runs e.g. water out of circular burner at top exits via a manifold through back panel then emerges at bottom of boiler and goes into diverter valve.



The rear pipe runs are a half pipe flanged pressing that's fixed somehow to the back plate. Trouble is the hot flow has a couple of barely visible pinholes that have started dumping C/H system water and losing system pressure.



I'm thinking something like araldite or car body filler might do the trick. I'm a bit wary of trying to run solder over the area as I have no idea how the flanged edges of the chanels are fixed to the main plate, I'm presuming some form of sweated solder.



Any other ideas? Unfortunately unlike a normal pinholed pipe, because it's only a half section it's going to have to be well adhered to the steel surface as can't "bandage" around the area. Is "Liquid steel" type stuff any good for such things?



Cheers - Pete


Thanks Fredxx It was a bit of an emergency and any boiler of the same vintage would almost certainly have been in a similar state. I spoke to the company that I usually buy spares from (MHG Heating) and it's quite a common failing on these boilers now apparently.

Oddly the boiler was bought from a company suggested by Dr. evil (wonder where he is now) who used to be on this group years ago, bought from EcoHometec (no longer in business) but the boiler it's self has been pretty reliable and easy to replace bits.

Anyway, I used the epoxy putty over the holes, over-taped the areas with foil tape and so far so good. The boiler lives to fight another day but looking for a suitable replacement for when the time comes.

Cheers - Pete

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required