squiffs Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 My boiler is still not functioning, the pilot light is continually blowing out when the heating kicks in. My dad is very reluctant to get a new boiler as he thinks there's nothing wrong with the one I've got, despite it being quite a bit older than I am.The engineer came today and I bought a carbon monoxide alarm from him as I got carbon monoxide poisoning when I lived with my nana due to a (later) condemned boiler.The part we think it needs (a new thermocouple) is coming tomorrow, however he said if that doesn't work, it's the gas valve that's gone, and they don't make them for my boiler anymore (Glow Worm Spacesaver 50), and we'll need a new boiler. So: As I can't afford a boiler myself, and I'm renting from my dear old Dad, who is adamant he won't pay for a new one if there's nothing dangerous about the old one, does anyone know where I might track down parts reliably for an old boiler? It's rusting on the inside too so I imagine it's only a matter of time before other parts need changing. If I can stock up on parts that might 'go' then hopefully I won't have to go without heating or hot water anymore. Maybe this is wishful thinking and I'll pay more than I would for a new boiler... How hard is it to track down 'obsolete' boiler parts these days? Is it expensive? I'm no plumber so one boiler's gas valve will look like another to me, and I could quite easily be sold the wrong part, has anyone else had to source parts in a similar situation? Or am I going to have to beg and plead with my dad to get a new system put in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I recently bought a replacement bulb cover for my cooker from Buyspares.co.uk. They don't list boilers but they do have a number to call if you can't find what you need. Might be worth a try? Our customer services staff are available to help out if you are unable to find what you need. Call us Monday-Friday from 9am til 6pm, or Saturday from 9am til 4pm. 0844 557 5575 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted October 20, 2011 Author Share Posted October 20, 2011 I'll try anything! I'm currently spending any time I'm at home and not asleep, in the conservatory which has a small electric panel heater - which is a very expensive way to stay warm! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reikiranf Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Trying to guess what may go wrong and buying spares would probably be a waste of money Have you tried googling the boiler model and number for spare parts to see if anything comes up? I've done that and managed to get a spare part for a gas fire that's over 20 years old. Perhaps you could have a word with your Dad, as unless he has breakdown cover for the boiler, repairing it could be throwing money away, we did that years ago with a relatively new boiler, it constantly broke down from new and once out of guarantee in the space of a few months we'd spent the cost of a new boiler repairing it It was a Potterton and the most expensive mistake we've ever made. Wheat bags are good for keeping you warm in the short term Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted October 20, 2011 Author Share Posted October 20, 2011 Trying to guess what may go wrong and buying spares would probably be a waste of money Have you tried googling the boiler model and number for spare parts to see if anything comes up? I've done that and managed to get a spare part for a gas fire that's over 20 years old. Perhaps you could have a word with your Dad, as unless he has breakdown cover for the boiler, repairing it could be throwing money away, we did that years ago with a relatively new boiler, it constantly broke down from new and once out of guarantee in the space of a few months we'd spent the cost of a new boiler repairing it It was a Potterton and the most expensive mistake we've ever made. Wheat bags are good for keeping you warm in the short term He does have breakdown cover, but that only covers it when parts are available. Which is why I was going to try and find spares so that if they come over and say 'oh we can't source that part' I can be like 'here you go I have one'. I have looked for spares but I can't find much - I don't know how old this boiler is but it's got to be pushing 30, google throws up results with some people saying they've had the same model since 1974. I don't think they even make them with pilots like this anymore. It's also classed as G-rated, so if I lived in Scotland I'd get a boiler s"Ooops, word censored!"page grant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Forget it. We had a Gloworm spacesaver which kept blowing out. I 've spent many a cold windy night stood outside holding up a sheet of cardboard by the flue while OH tries to light it You can't get the spares now though he did keep bending the thermocouple into a better position. The boiler lasted us well for 25years. Had to bite the bullet and replace it this year. It's a great improvement, no standing out in the bitter cold for me and instant hot water Only downside is we didn't replace the pipework or radiators and have had a burst pipe but at least it means I get rid of the artex in the hall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted October 20, 2011 Author Share Posted October 20, 2011 Forget it. We had a Gloworm spacesaver which kept blowing out. I 've spent many a cold windy night stood outside holding up a sheet of cardboard by the flue while OH tries to light it You can't get the spares now though he did keep bending the thermocouple into a better position. The boiler lasted us well for 25years. Had to bite the bullet and replace it this year. It's a great improvement, no standing out in the bitter cold for me and instant hot water Only downside is we didn't replace the pipework or radiators and have had a burst pipe but at least it means I get rid of the artex in the hall. That's unfortunate, alarmingly high amount of posts on plumber forums say glow worm spacesaver 50s are indestructible and that British Gas engineers just don't want to repair them, so I'm a little confused. Until I hear back from my dad re. the gas valve situation, I can't say what's going to happen, but definitely, I cannot afford even a fraction of a new boiler, nor get approved credit for one (not that I'd want to put myself in debt for a boiler in a house I'll be moving out of in a couple of years' time). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 You keep it going then, they're a lot of money. The gloworm site is http://www.glow-worm.co.uk/ they may be able to help if your parts don't help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Our boiler is 35 years old and going strong. We have it serviced every year and the engineers go all nostalgic on us and say " if only they made them like this now". They advise us not to change it until it's absolutely terminal. We did have a problem with the pilot light but a blast from the vacuum cleaner once a year keeps that clear. We still get parts for it easily. Now you are going to ask me the make........ I'll have to ask OH - who is otherwise occupied..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted October 21, 2011 Author Share Posted October 21, 2011 Yes, do tell! After speaking to my dad, he's adamant the boiler is fine as it is and said I should kick up a stink to customer services if they won't try and source the part, and that he'll cancel his policy with them if they aren't doing what he pays them to... I can see what he's saying, but what if they aren't telling fibs and the part really isn't available anymore? Just because the part isn't being manufactured, doesn't mean there aren't any left though- surely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 I wouldn't pay any attention at all to what the service people say about parts not being available. My boiler is three years old and kept packing up last winter (please don't let it happen again this year ) and BG were adamant they couldn't get the parts for that either - turned out to be complete rubbish, of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted October 21, 2011 Author Share Posted October 21, 2011 I wouldn't pay any attention at all to what the service people say about parts not being available. My boiler is three years old and kept packing up last winter (please don't let it happen again this year ) and BG were adamant they couldn't get the parts for that either - turned out to be complete rubbish, of course I've heard that BG do that - which is I guess why my dad is ignoring it, little naughties! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Yes, BG are notorious for saying they "can't get the parts", but saying that about a 30+year old boiler is one thing, but a 3 year old one!!!? I can't help but think there must be a sort of boiler reclaimation place somewhere that could help you out with spares, you CANNOT be the only one to have that sort of boiler ... old boilers seem so much more reliable than the newer ones, lots of people must be trying to keep the old ones going as long as possible? Good luck!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Me again, have you tried here: http://www.heatingspareparts.com/BoilerpartS.aspx?SearchType=Quick&SupplierId=7&ApplianceId=5883&SparePartsTypeId=99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted October 21, 2011 Author Share Posted October 21, 2011 Me again, have you tried here:http://www.heatingspareparts.com/BoilerpartS.aspx?SearchType=Quick&SupplierId=7&ApplianceId=5883&SparePartsTypeId=99 I have, but my boiler only says 'glow worm spacesaver 50' on it - and the only spacesaver 50 parts they have are spacesaver 50mkII Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 I'd still get in touch with them though, not every part will be different (and your's might even be a mark II - it mightn't say on it which version it is?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Finally extracted the information from OH about our 35 year old boiler- it too is a Glow Worm He thinks its a 55 but can't remember the exact number. Apparently, if old parts aren't available, new ones are usually compatible. It's so reliable because it's very simple -not like the modern ones. Our pump was replaced last year by a modern one. The problem we had with the pilot light was a stubborn piece of dirt which a blast from the Dyson fixed. He says keep it - the amount of gas it uses is minor compare with the cost of replacing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omletina Kyckling Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 British Gas and the like are very naughty with their boiler schemes. My neighbour had her boiler serviced by them this week under their scheme. It worked before he came, after he left, no heating. She rang them the next day and they said they couldn't come for a week. She put her foot down, they came the next day, replaced the pump and told her that if she doesn't have the system power flushed they won't be covered any longer........this is the best, they want £600 to power flush......bonkers!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted October 22, 2011 Author Share Posted October 22, 2011 British Gas and the like are very naughty with their boiler schemes. My neighbour had her boiler serviced by them this week under their scheme. It worked before he came, after he left, no heating. She rang them the next day and they said they couldn't come for a week. She put her foot down, they came the next day, replaced the pump and told her that if she doesn't have the system power flushed they won't be covered any longer........this is the best, they want £600 to power flush......bonkers!!! This is a similar situation to the one I had this week - except the homecare policy covers me for any breakdown and servicing - phew! British Gas have a terrible reputation, I have since found out whilst doing research round this topic... They run a racket, almost Thanks Patricia! I really agree that paying extra on my gas bill works out fine for me - much rather not buy a new boiler, and this is the first time I remember it ever packing up, we moved here in 1999! As it was, the thermocouple was replaced, and apparently there was a lot of dirt in the pilot light (why they didn't see this on the two visits before it was fixed is a mystery to me!). So I have heating - but still really really good to know where I can get spares if British Gas decide to tell me they 'can't' fix it when it packs up again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 OH has got spares from Wickes and from a small heating firm near us. He says there has been no problem at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
