Servicing back boilers

[Masood]

I've not done many of these - fewer than half a dozen I reckon, and the last time was probably 4 years ago!

Got two to do in the next couple of weeks - has anybody got a step-by-step list of what checks I ought to be doing?

I don't mean boiler-specific stuff but overall checks. I'm fine on fires but back boilers are pretty rare round my way...

 

[stevetheplumber]

I always take out burner complete and brush it down two screws and the unionso easy enough
Front cover of brush oureasemble and the norm no and gas rate

 

[Atouchofgas]

Obvious make sure it works first of all.
Remove fire, strip bbu ( if it's got a seperate t/c replace it - Honeywell type are common and you get them from bes )
Clean hex and injectors, reassemble test gas pressure and carry out smoke tests, clean fire reassemble and test. Carry out smoke tests

 

[Masood]

I always take out burner complete and brush it down two screws and the unionso easy enough
Front cover of brush oureasemble and the norm no and gas rate

Hijacking the thread somewhat but when are you back in civilisation mate?

 

[stevetheplumber]

Sunday but working Mon andtues

 

[stevetheplumber]

Why would you change a working thermocouple on a service?

 

[Atouchofgas]

Cause if it fails in three weeks they aren't going to pay you to replace it

 

[Masood]

working Mon andtues

Grrrr. Could have done with a hand!

 

[stevetheplumber]

Cause if it fails in three weeks they aren't going to pay you to replace it

So what if the gasvalve fails in three weeks?

 

[ben5192]

does this mean that safety devices on all appliances need changing on a service??

 

[newcastle phill]

Nope

 

[lame plumber]

always do a thermocouple change on a service, they are a consumable part, better a few quid now than a callout in 3 months, it is a no brainer.

plus dont forget to gas rate at max setting then range rate as required.

 

[Atouchofgas]

Nope but the thermocouple has been in the heat of the pilot for at least a year constantly and then you are turning it off and cooling it down. They are a know expendable part so why have the hassle for a few quid?

 

[jonnyswamp]

What manu are they

 

[gassafe]

Cause if it fails in three weeks they aren't going to pay you to replace it

They blooming will pay lol...

Thermocouples are a funny breed, I find some will last for years, & only change if the tip looks well worn! The universal one you swop it with could fail just as easy! Offer the custard the choice I guess!

 

[lame plumber]

does a garage offer you a filter change on a service??????????????

 

[ben5192]

That's hardly a comparison. Oil filter is to clean oil in engine. Better comparison would be magnetic filter

 

[gassafe]

does a garage offer you a filter change on a service??????????????

A car service is different, it consists of an oil & filter for a basic service...

A thermocouple is more like glow plugs on a Diesel engine, an important component but not changed unnecessarily if it's working without concern... It could be inspected or cleaned & changed if the customer requests like a thermocouple!

 

[gassafe]

Some thermocouples are a real pig to change, or part of a pilot assembly, adding a lot of uncessary cost to a basic service! The customer will just go elsewhere!

 

[lame plumber]

well having been caught out on that theory too many times, my advice to a person doing a bbu is to change the thermocouple everytime, saves call backs and bad tempered customers, you can take the advice if you like or save a couple of quid and be popping back at weekends. if you can ell when a thermocouple is going to survive another 12 months, good on yer, me I can't, so I try and save on some hassle when they fail.

this argument always pops up, all the old boys I know swap, younger folk tend not to, must be something in experience showing out there.

 

[Atouchofgas]

Thermocouples are a funny breed, I find some will last for years, & only change if the tip looks well worn! The universal one you swop it with could fail just as easy!
Offer the custard the choice I guess![/QUOTE]

Buy a better better one than the universal
I use these
[DLMURL]https://www.bes.co.uk/product/21~NG~288~-Replacement-for-Honeywell-Q309A-.html[/DLMURL] Number 7384

 

[lame plumber]

Some thermocouples are a real pig to change, or part of a pilot assembly, adding a lot of uncessary cost to a basic service! The customer will just go elsewhere!

part of a pilot assmbly... hard to work on, need to work more on them, bread n butter work, try a hot aga some pillock hasnt turned off it you want difficult to work on

 

[Toxic Ted]

I've had the thermocouple eroded with time so have changed them on the service before but not as a rule........i do forget where the screws are on the fire front sometimes and spend a few minutes looking stupid in front of the custard.........it helps if you can at least look like you know what you are doing!

 

[lame plumber]

I've had the thermocouple eroded with time so have changed them on the service before but not as a rule........i do forget where the screws are on the fire front sometimes and spend a few minutes looking stupid in front of the custard.........it helps if you can at least look like you know what you are doing!

tis when you cant find any screws and the old biddy does it for you................

 

[gassafe]

Well don't forget the thermoscouple on the gas fire front if you guys are changing willy nilly 😉 it's gonna be an expensive service lol