Back Boiler Ignition Snapped, Fixable?

[ILikeDIYS]

OK so 2 months ago gas man came round to do some kitchen work which needed gas to be turned off. Then after he finished he went to the old 1950s back boiler to turn it on again but the ignition didn't work.

Asked how the last guy who serviced it (British Gas) turned it on, we said via a match (apparently). He outright refused to do any work on it at that point.

Fast forward to today, the gas is still off (yes no central heating since 2 months ago) and I'm feeling motivated so I took off the front of the gas boiler to find a MESS of dust and cobwebs (I swear British Gas guy didn't do his job cleaning it 2 years ago) and I also found that the ignition switch is BROKEN:

It looks like the metal terminal at the back of the ignition switch snapped off and got left inside the clip above.

My question is do I need to buy a new ignition switch (and are they still available to buy in shops) or am I better off attempting to join the two pieces together with, for example, glue or solder?

Also when I put them together and press the ignition it sparks at the joint, but I don't see any sparks inside the boiler (looking through the glass window). Should I be seeing sparks through the window?

Trying to figure out why the British Gas guy who was servicing 2 years ago didn't fix the switch, maybe couldn't get hold of parts?

Thanks.

 

[ianmcd]

get someone who actually knows what they are doing to properly service it, that is a disgrace, do not try and use it like that, perfectly serviceable but not by your good self

 

[ILikeDIYS]

Too late!

I serviced AKA cleaned it myself, glued the ignition switch on with hot glue, turned the gas on got it working and purged the central heating. All good now no need for useless gas men that don't wanna do the job/do it badly lol

 

[Terrywookfit]

I hope the BP was correct and the flow and spillage tests passed.

 

[ServiceNumpty]

Where's the fire?

 

[FiremanT]

So, OP, you did not actually want any advice, just to rant on.
Is there a gas fire?
The BB should be service every year, and, from experience, when someone says it was 2 years ago, it is generally at least 3.
Was your kitchen guy a "proper" gasman? A lot of kitchen guys do not have the full set of tickets, and he may not be registered for boilers. That said, he probably should have helped in some way, even if he sourced another guy. Was he from the likes of Curry's?
Re British gas: are you on a service contract, or did you get them in for a one off service? You may be interested to know that they use a HUGE amount of contractors, and they get paid between £19 and £21 for a service. . How much did you pay
Use a proper local gas man and you stand a better chance of service and quality.

EDIT: To OP: Apologies, just noticed it was months, not years.

 

[Nige F]

£20 for a service ! and a fish for the penguin ?

 

[ILikeDIYS]

Is there a gas fire?
Was your kitchen guy a "proper" gasman? A lot of kitchen guys do not have the full set of tickets, and he may not be registered for boilers. That said, he probably should have helped in some way, even if he sourced another guy. Was he from the likes of Curry's?

He's a proper gasman but does everything by the book. Refused to light with a match because of health and safety.

I'm not with British Gas, they just did the service and charged £70. It was mostly just vacuuming up.

The pilot light was off before but now is on. Yes there is a gas fire too. Everything works as should from what I can see.

I ran to the plumbing shop round the block after posting this thread and they told me there's no way I can get a replacement so I experimented fixing it with a glue gun and it worked. The reason why it was sparking at the joint before is because my fingers were there attracting the charge - once I moved my fingers away it was sparking at the tip of the cable.

EON are coming to sort the gas meter soon so the gas will be off again - they will have to re-light the BB and I will tell them to do the relevant tests but no cleaning is necessary.

 

[ianmcd]

EON are coming to sort the gas meter soon so the gas will be off again - they will have to re-light the BB and I will tell them to do the relevant tests but no cleaning is necessary.

And why would they do that just because you tell them to ?

 

[Dan Robinson]

And why would they do that just because you tell them to ?

I can imagine that conversation I

 

[Nige F]

The reason why it was sparking at the joint before is because my fingers were there attracting the charge - once I moved my fingers away it was sparking at the tip of the cable.
.

Did you ?

 

[FiremanT]

He's a proper gasman but does everything by the book. Refused to light with a match because of health and safety.

I'm not with British Gas, they just did the service and charged £70. It was mostly just vacuuming up.

The pilot light was off before but now is on. Yes there is a gas fire too. Everything works as should from what I can see.

I ran to the plumbing shop round the block after posting this thread and they told me there's no way I can get a replacement so I experimented fixing it with a glue gun and it worked. The reason why it was sparking at the joint before is because my fingers were there attracting the charge - once I moved my fingers away it was sparking at the tip of the cable.

EON are coming to sort the gas meter soon so the gas will be off again - they will have to re-light the BB and I will tell them to do the relevant tests but no cleaning is necessary.

If he refused to light the boiler with a match cos of H&S, he isn't a proper gas man.

The ignites are readily available, as are the HT leads. I have at least 6 in my shed.

You are expecting a lot from EON. Are you getting a Smart meter? If so, expect to be without heat again

 

[FiremanT]

EDIT: To OP: Apologies, just noticed it was months, not years.

I have read yet again. So withdraw my apology.

 

[rochdalegas]

I have read yet again. So withdraw my apology.

Just read it right the first time. It saves all the apologies and retractions.

 

[FiremanT]

Just read it right the first time. It saves all the apologies and retractions.

Sorry