Glow worm Spacesaver 60F case rusted...please help..

[sonoi]

Hi Guys,

Been having a nightmare weekend...Had a leaking radiator on my central heating system on saturday, so called out BG as got the homecare cover. BG sorted out leak then went to look at the boiler. He said there are signs of rusting on the boiler metal case / cover itself, and said he had to push a metal screwdriver into the rust as safety check. Sadly the screw driver went straight through the boiler has been disconnected as deemed dangerous due to possible carbon monoxide leaking out throught the boiler case.

The boiler is a Glow Worm Spacesaver 60F, and about 20yrs old. It is a standard condensing conventional boiler, open vented, with cold water tanks in loft, and immersion heater in airing cupboard.

The BG guy looked to order a replacement boiler case on his system and said not available as too old. He said unless I could source a brand new boiler case myself, the boiler would need replacing!! 🙁

Where is the best place to look to source a new boiler case for a 20yr old glowworm boiler?

I had a BG sales person come over today to quote on a new boiler, replace like for like ie put another condensing conventional boiler in. They recommended Worcester Bosch Greenstar 24Ri, power flush, magnabooster2 filter, said i need new 22mm gas pipes from gas meter to kitchen as current is only 15mm, all installed, total cost of £3,100...

Guys, please could you give me some advice, is sourcing a new boiler case impossible for a 20yr old boiler, and if so, does the british gas quote sound reasonable, and is a powerflush really needed as when the BG guy drained the leaking radiator yesterday the water was clear...

Thanks in advance for any help!
Regards.

 

[villa_tom]

You wil struggle to get a case for that now and I doubt you will get one to be honest - as for the powerflush even though the water is clear it is a requirment now that a new install be powerflushed. Although you could opt out and have the engineer sign your boiler log book to say it has not been done.

 

[mikegas]

you can just do a chemical flush

 

[mfgs]

I had to cap one of these a few months back because the case was rusty and my screwdriver went straight through it. I couldnt source a case for it, but the customer found one after a couple days on continuous phone calls so there may still be a some about.

I would recommend a new boiler anyway as your one is getting on a bit now. Could always get some more quotes from local engineers, where abouts are you based? Someone on here may be able to beat the BG price.

 

[capitanpugwash]

How far is gas meter to kitchen distance? No requirement to powerflush. BG charge £700 or so for this as a standalone. Depending on how your system is but a chemical flush could be ok.... Pricing for work depends on your location in the country but it should be less than this for a local gas safe engineer.

 

[sonoi]

Hi guys, thanks for the fast replies and information. The power flush is being charged at £343 on the quote by BG. They did say usually is £700 by them. The gas meter (just behind the front door) to the kitchen (right at the back )is about 10metres walking distance. BG have quoted to install the gas pipe work (22mm x 3metre length) x8 = 24metres of gas pipe. I am based in Elephant And Castle, London, SE17. Can anyone here beat the BG price?

Thanks again guys, appreciate it.

 

[anz]

Get a few local gas fitters to visit, chances are they will quote a lot less.

 

[Blackcatgas]

Thats cheap for BG, but alot more than I would charge, powerflushing is a good thing btw (in most cases) talking of cases I doubt that you will find a new one.

 

[Reg Man]

Power flush would be an advantage when replacing the boiler. New boilers have smaller water ways and therfore you will get more problems if you don't clean the system out. Additionally a magna clean will also help take out those unwanted particles before passing through the boiler.

BG did quite right on the diagnosis, as these old positive pressure boilers are very dangerous if the casing should fail. I would guess your 20 years for the boiler is a little modest, I woud give it 25 years. In any event you got your money worth out of it.

 

[sonoi]

Thanks for the information guys, very helpful. Yes, I think the boiler is probably 25-30 years old actually, probably lasted longer than expected. I have tried to source a new case, but not been successful. So will get a few more local quotes that include a power flush and magnabooster filter. Lucky the weather is warming up slightly now, and I have the immersion heater hot water as back up, so no cold showers..