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QUESTION:My mum went out this lunchtime and switched on the central heating so the
house would be warm when she got back later in the afternoon.
She got back about 5pm and basically the radiator tank sounded as if there
was someone inside it trying to bash their way out - all kind of "glugs and
thumps".
She switched off the heating (it's got an on/timer/off switch next to the
tank) but the pilot light in the boiler downstairs didn't budge, just
stayed on full blast.
Turning down the dial on the front of the boiler did absolutely nothing - I
got home to find her on the phone to British Gas as it's on "3 star cover".
My first thoughts were to turn on the bath and try to lose some of the hot
water and (I assumed) accompanying pressure.
The Gas folks said to turn the Gas off in the garage (standard drill I
guess) which my mum did, and they would send Transco out (delaying
tactic?).
The chap from Transco arrived and explained that they get this a lot and it
doesn't sound like it's likely to be a leak but obviously he was here so
he'd check etc...
Net result no leak, gas is back on, Transco bloke said he thought it was
most likely to be the thermostat on the boiler that's stuck/generally
knackered, either way the boiler's now off.
They're coming out tomorrow, my mum is the sort who panics and she's sure
they'll scratch their chins and try to sell her a new boiler costing
christ knows what...
Now I know that's not the most (even slightly) technical explanation of the
problem, but am I right in thinking that boilers are pretty modular, and
things like thermostats have a finite lifetime and are designed to be
replaceable (the Transco bloke said so)?
Any ballpark on price? I believe under this 3 star thing it's covered
anyway, but better safe than sorry.
It's a "Glow-Worm 50 Space Saver"
Under what circumstances might a whole new boiler be needed?
ANSWER: Sounds as if the water in your system was actually boiling because the
boiler was firing when it shouldn't be. It may be the boiler thermostat
stuck on, or it may be the gas valve stuck on. Either way, it should be
possible to replace the offending item easily enough.
You - or somebody - will need to make sure that there is sufficient water in
the header tank (the ball valve may be stuck) and then bleed the whole
system - because the boiling may have resulted in some air locks in the
system.
Assuming no permanent damage has been done, it should then be ok.
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