When to replace a combi boiler

[newtoj]

I have an Ocean Combi boiler, which has developed a fault so that the radiators heat up passively when the hot water is on (hot water seems to bleed into the heating circuit by expansion when the hot water is used). My plumber diagnosed a problem with the diaphram valve and replaced this (at significant expense), but this has not fixed the problem. He now state that there is "sludge" in the system which is blocking the valve and is recommending a complete boilder replacement. This seems grossly excessive given that the boilder is only 7-8 years old. I've asked the plumber to investigate flushing the system out and replacing the inhibitor to try and remove the "sludge" that is causing the problem, for which I have been quoted =A3375(!)

Other than changing my plumber (which I'm seriously considering) and adcise greatly appreciated

[Phil Anthropist]

"newtoj" wrote: I have an Ocean Combi boiler, which has developed a fault so that the radiators heat up passively when the hot water is on (hot water seems to bleed into the heating circuit by expansion when the hot water is used). My plumber diagnosed a problem with the diaphram valve and replaced this (at significant expense), but this has not fixed the problem. He now state that there is "sludge" in the system which is blocking the valve and is recommending a complete boilder replacement. This seems grossly excessive given that the boilder is only 7-8 years old. I've asked the plumber to investigate flushing the system out and replacing the inhibitor to try and remove the "sludge" that is causing the problem, for which I have been quoted £375(!)

Other than changing my plumber (which I'm seriously considering) and adcise greatly appreciated

[ ================ ]

If flushing is the solution you can hire the equipment and do it yourself, if you feel up to it:

or any tool hire centre will oblige.

[Cicero]

Other than changing my plumber (which I'm seriously considering) and adcise greatly appreciated

========================= I doubt if any self-respecting plumber would install a new boiler into a system that is known to be so badly 'sludged' that it is inhibiting the proper functioning of the existing boiler. I would suggest that you tell the plumber to sort out the problem at his expense since he should have known that the sludge was there and that it would interfere with the performance of the new diaphram valve - IF that is truly what is happening.

If flushing is required it certainly shouldn't cost you £375-00p since the machines can be hired and the plumber should be competent to use it.

Cic.

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[Ed Sirett]

Good money after bad springs to mind when dealing with problems on low end kit. Try unblocking the HDW heatXer as if that's 3/4 blocked the back pressure can cause trouble. With the heating on are the bottom middles of the rads permanently cold?

If you go the boiler replacement route (this boiler is not the most rugged of models - get something better).