Glow-worm meltdown

[lich]

I got my boiler (11 year old GlowWorm Ultimate 120FF) serviced at the end of October 2012, mainly because the fan sounded noisy when it started up. My partner who was home at the time didn't mention the fan to the guy who did the service.

Now, in Feb 2013, the boiler has packed up - the fan stopped working and the boiler has started leaking, and looks as if it will need replacing (and the overheat button has not 'popped').

The servicer maintains that he did a perfectly good job, and followed the 'procedure', and since he wasn't told about the fan, he didn't bother to check it specifically.

My question is: Was it reasonable that he didn't notice the fan and suggest replacement ? Also, since it is now leaking, and the overheat button has not popped, should he have noticed this ?

He's going to replace the boiler tomorrow morning at some considerable expense to me.

11 Years is quite old, and Glow-worm are not exactly state of the art, but is it reasonable to expect the guy to have detected the faulty fan and/or the non-working overheat switch without prompting, or is it just bad luck ?

 

[SimonG]

So three and a half months later it's the service guys fault. I don't think so.

 

[lich]

OK - just asking for an opinion ....

 

[dave1]

So three and a half months later it's the service guys fault. I don't think so.

Have to agree with Simon. Not a chance.

 

[dave1]

What new boiler are you having installed?

 

[lich]

Vallient 637 I think ....

 

[Whn1]

Insulting that some people think of us this way.

 

[fast phil]

Insulting that some people think of us this way.

:iagree:

 

[lich]

Like I said - just asking for an opinon. No need to flame me for that is there ?

 

[hammers4spanner]

nope not his fault and like you said 11 year old boiler

 

[Roger Welton]

Just one of those things, heat exchanger can go at any time without much warning.

 

[Reg Man]

You have done well to get 11 years out of a glow worm ultimate. Its probably served you hot water and heating every day for limited maintenance and repair. The service engineer could'nt possibly predict its final ending 3 months ago. Look forward to your new boiler and hopefully you might get a max 10 years out of it.

 

[lich]

Thanks guys - I know S*D all about boliers, and just wanted to check that I wasn't being lead up the garden path (and to be honest the service guy seems like a decent bloke anyway)!

 

[stevetheplumber]

a lot of fans get a bit noisy long before they fail if he had changfed the fan and the boiler had failed 3 months later you would be even more peeved think of it like a car you can have it serviced this week and the head gasket blow or the clutch break up the next

 

[SilentMike]

I know your only asking for advice
The fan wont be part of the sevice procedure check the manaul.
a noisey fan can carry on for a long time, say you hadn't noticed and he said you need a new fan it will be X amount of££ how would you feel about that? It wont be the cause of the leak.
How do you know its a overheat problem thats caused the leak? if thats the case then there could be other problems with your boiler sounds like hes saved you the price of a fan and labour to me?

 

[leaky]

Had my mot done three weeks ago and today the brake light bulb went should i go back to the garage and compliain or what lol

 

[TBServices]

Jesus

 

[lich]

Grow up.

 

[Reg Man]

I think we have made the point, no need to go on.

 

[lich]

Thanks for the sensible responses I received, but I can't help noticing a bit of a defensive note in some of the other posts.

I accept that in this case, it's just one of those things and they guy who serviced the boiler is not to blame.

BUT - I am an 'end user' and I don't know or give a stuff what is says in the service manual, I just wanted to get my boiler sorted out before the winter so it wouldn't pack up in midwinter.

It is a bit of a bummer that I took that precaution, only to find that the boiler packed up anyway.

It sounds to me as if I may as well _not_ bother to employ anybody to service my boiler in future, since it is likely to break down at a random time anyway, at which point I get it repaired or replaced as required.

If any of you wants your websites updated for 125 quid an hour, I would be happy to help, but please not thatI dont do weekend callouts, and any code I have written only has a 24 hour warranty.