Maxol 600 keeps going out.....we are cold...help!

[pop80_uk]

Hey people
We have a Maxol Homewarm 600 which looks about 15 years old, its been working happily since we moved in over a year ago but over the last week it has been going out after being lit, the pilot light just will not seem to stay lit, it seems to be fine for about 30mins - 2hrs but weill not stay lit for any longer, its also getting harder to light the pilot after it goes out.

What could it be?

We are thinking of calling an engineer but are concerned that they will just say change the boiler or that it will be really expensive, as we don't have alot of spare cash, so are currently wearing lots of jumpers!

Any help or advice would be appreciated.
Thanks guys!

 

[namsag]

Dirty,worn pilot/worn tcouple/ possible overheat stat tripping due to faulty main stat or faulty pump. simple enough boiler to diagnos when in front of it.
not the greatest of boilers though

 

[pop80_uk]

Dirty,worn pilot/worn tcouple/ possible overheat stat tripping due to faulty main stat or faulty pump. simple enough boiler to diagnos when in front of it.
not the greatest of boilers though

Is it fixable? How much would and engineer charge please?

I know a new boiler is £2000+and we can not afford that.

 

[namsag]

May get away with just a service if pilot dirty stats should be no more than say 30 quid each if needed parts can be little awkward to get but should be fixable. All depends what they charge around your way

 

[pop80_uk]

Thanks,
How hard is a thermocouple to change? Does it have any voltage / gass running thorugh it?
I notice Wickes have universal thermocouples which will fit any boiler, would this do?
Thanks

 

[pop80_uk]

Bump.....

Its cold.....brrrrr...