Leaking Rayburn

[Bartdude]

get a aga or stanley if you want hot water/heating better than rayburns, have a look at aga telford for 2nd hand ones

An Aga will only supply hot water,there's no heating option.

The main difference between Aga and Rayburn is that Aga is a true 100% heat storage cooker,always at a constant temperature. Rayburns are designed to idle at a lower temperature and be turned up when you require higher cooking heat.

When the central heating market started to take off it was Rayburn that first started producing models,starting with solid fuel of course and a whole host of other weird and wonderful models. The 480k with twin pressure jet burners started with the mk1 and 2,poorly designed appliances and the cause of grief for a lot of customers including the OP. The newer models are much improved and are now at the mk4 stage,and they're now offer good reliable performance. In my opinion the Rayburns are superior to Stanleys,much better construction and nobody does enamelling like Aga/Rayburn. Stanley is now owned by Aga too.

I've always felt that if possible a separate central heating boiler is the way to go and a range cooker for cooking only or hot water will cause less problems in the long run,but every house is different and for some situations the heating models provide an ideal solution. The key is getting the new Rayburn installed correctly,particularly in the case of the heating system,follow manufacturers instructions and you'll be fine.

I wouldn't recommend a second hand central heating model,the decent ones aren't old enough to be available,and a manufacturers warranty will be good for your peace of mind considering the problems you've had. When it comes to the other versions however there are lots of good reconditioned cookers around,the company old plumber linked too are good,but they're part of Aga and you pay for that. I'm sure you're Aga is great old plumb,it's a shame I wasn't on the forum when you refurbished it,might have been able to save you a few quid🙂🙂

 

[oldplumber]

from my knowledge of twyford at the time they were independant of aga but approved by them, their work was brilliant and I was happy to pay them for the work. Of note when I was up there they had ranges in store removed from houses that have never been used, and the ladies of the house just didnt like the colours!!!!!!! even worse was the woman in pink, with a pink merc sl who turned up to check out her newly enamelled pink aga!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (guess what colour clothes she wore) However twyford may well have been aquired by aga being they were so good, it was 6 years back Iwas up there.

 

[Vintage Ranges]

I have an Oil-fired 1997 Rayburn 460k Mk2 with Nu-way burners which was in my property when I moved in in 2001. I don't know about the history of it's first 4 years but I do know that it's given me lots of grief over the last few years. However, it has worked beautifully for the last 6 months (after new ceramic liners, cooker thermostat and ignitors) and when it's going well it's great to live with.
Unfortunately, however, with impeccable timing (mid-December) it has developed the most serious problem it's had - a leaking boiler.
I suspect that it's terminal and I shall end up getting a new, modern one installed and commissioned properly. However, before committing to this, can anyone tell me if it's realistic or feasible to get a new boiler/heat exchanger fitted to try and save it?
If not, and it's a write off, I would if it's possible like to nurse it through the next few weeks without being too concerned by further damage. With that in mind, can I
- run the cooker side only with the boiler side drained dry?
- try radweld/leakstop etc to try and stop the leak temporarily?

Hi Darwinian
Sorry to hear about your Rayburn problem.
If you are seriously looking at replacing it, please visit my website www.vintageranges.com . These are my own design products. I sell and build to order, quite literally the 'Top of the Range'. If interested, please email me on [email protected]
Thanks
John