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Should we replace our old Worcester Bosch 28Cdi boiler or just get it fixed?
Anonymous user 3 March 2024 - 3.42 PM
We are having trouble with our boiler and can't get any hot water (heating still works) - before this happened we had several months where the water only got hot if we put the heating on.
An engineer came out today to look at it and he said that the diverter valve needs replacing. He doesn't do Worcester Bosch but said he thinks we will struggle to find someone to do it as there are access issues and the boiler is really old. The access issues are mainly that you can't flip the bottom of the boiler open properly at there's pipes in the way. Since we spoke with him we found documents, from before we bought the place, suggesting the boiler was installed in 2003! This correlates with how old the engineer thought it was but our downstairs neighbours are insisting it's only about ten years old (the boiler came with the house and we only moved in three years ago).
The engineer that came out suggested we might be best off getting a new boiler (with him or someone else) but he also said that we could try finding a Worcester engineer to fix it - he thought they might charge about £400 but didn't know.
If we replace it we will need a condensing boiler and a flue, and because we're an upstairs flat we will need access to the roof of our downstairs' neighbour's kitchen - but they're saying that the engineer that came out was basically trying to con us and it's a simple and cheap fix to replace the diverter valve. They're also insisting the boiler is only about ten years old but our documents suggest it's almost 19!
We didn't get the impression we were being misled but you never know and we are not experts at this sort of stuff! Any advice would be really helpful, thanks :)
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
Hi Michelle,
I have replaced loads of Diverter valves on this Worcester range, they can be abit of a nightmare due to the amount of joints that are disturbed whilst removing the old part. I would agree that the best and most cost effective option would be to have the boiler replaced. There are options of upto 10 years warranty on some of the new boilers. Personally I would suggest to go with the boiler replacement. And in regards to the boilers age, it will be more than likely 19 years old. Definitely closer to 20 years old than 10.
Hope this helps.
Hi Michelle, also echo Lewis’ comments. Fitted heaps of diverter valves on those boilers during my time at British Gas. That specific job of diverter valve replacement/internals replacement means replacing every o-ring and washer on the way out. If your water quality is poor then chances are it may even leak from somewhere else that wasn’t even looked at during the visit! The boiler is D rated for efficiency too so you’re running at around 75%, e.g. 25p in every £1 of your gas bill is just disappearing right out the flue.
If the expansion vessel pin holes or bursts then it really is goodnight Vienna.
If you can afford to, replace it now and go for something with a minimum 10 year parts and labour warranty. What you’ll pay for the boiler you’ll have made back on the savings on your gas bills by the time the warranty is out!
All the best
If your boiler is nearly 20 years old I would recommend you replace it. I think the engineer has given you sound advice, would be much more economical to replace boiler. With upto 12 year manufacturers warranties available on some boilers, also you would be saving on your gas bills as a new boiler will be much more efficient.
Hi Michelle,
This really depends on your circumstances currently, as the Worcester CDI RSF’s are very reliable boilers but are now 15/20 years old we would recommend replacing the boiler. That’s not to say the diverter valve can’t be repaired. They usual take around 1.5 to 2 hours to replace and cost around £105 to buy the part. Assuming the boiler is working ok, this could be a good option for you if you’re not quite ready to replace the boiler yet.
Hope this helps!
