Powermax 155x Replacement

[rusky0106]

Hi All.

Wonder if there is anyone who can offer me a little advice? My powermax 155x has broken down in December and won't switch on unless manually turned off then on again about a 100 times before it fires up. As you can imagine, trying to get hot water first thing in the morning means waking up an hour early with no guarantee you'll see a hot shower. I have had BG round a few times who on the last visit told me powermax are generally the worst in the market and I need a replacement. Also, as I am in a new development where the boiler in the middle of the apartment they suggested that BG will only replace colser to an outside wall. Rough quote of 4k!?! Had an independant come out and say that he could replace with another Powermax but I stupidly only asked for a quote on replacing rather than asking him to have a look at the current boiler to see if it could be repaired.

Question is: Is this likely to be able to be repaired? HAving read previous conversations it seems a lot of engineers steer clear of the powermax and just say it needs replacing when its not always necessary? Secondly, if it does need replacing can I get a replacement without moving the location of the boiler?

Any help right now would be appreciated considering I have no hot water or heat immediately available in the middle of one of our coldest winters!

Thanks

 

[rusky0106]

If anyone can recommend a trustworthy, reliable and not too expensive East London Engineer I would really appreciate it. Preferably someone who understands Powermaxes?!

ta

 

[Agile]

Its not clear from what you have said if you have called BG to repair your boiler. Why not ask for a fixed price repair?

I am in London but I am not "reliable and not too expensive".

Unfortunately, the Powermax was favoured by developers because they could be hidden away in the middle of properties.

That makes it a very difficult task to replace them as flueing and condensate drains dont easily match up with other models which are primarily based on fitting near outside walls.

Tony

 

[rusky0106]

Sorry if unclear Tony. BG have been out twice and last time suggested I call the New boiler team for a quote. Took them 3 weeks to call me back at this time I was on holiday over the christmas period.

As I have read with previous messages that sometimes BG and other independant engineers shy away from repairing the Powermax and just suggest replacing as an easy option, I thought it may be worth checking if these boilers are likely to be able to be fixed?

Sorry that you aren't Reliable or not too expensive but any advice you can give would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Agile]

They CAN be fixed BUT..............

Unless very carefully set up they can be dangerous, the flueing is often dangerous and boxed in and so impossible to inspect.

Many internal parts corrode and often need replacement which have to be ordered and then fitted.

Its best to call Baxi who are responsible for the brand now, they are quite expensive but would have most parts with them.

Tony

 

[Range185]

Hi,
It sounds like the PCB or electrode needs replacement, as ignition is not taking place ? I've had similar problems with this boiler.

Be best to try and find an independant engineer who understands these units (which is easier said than done). Not many people will even come out to these boilers !

Regards,

 

[rusky0106]

Thanks Both. Tony, I will try Baxi and see what they say.

Range, BG said that it is likely to be a build up of scale causing it not to fire up?

Thanks for your help

 

[Agile]

Sorry if unclear Tony. BG have been out twice and last time suggested I call the New boiler team for a quote.

Thanks

The BG engineer gets a commission if he can persuade you to have a quote!

As far as scale stopping it from firing that just demonstrates what poor understanding their engineer had!

Scale prevents trandfer of heat but not until AFTER the boiler has fired up.

Another posted said that they had been given a quote to install a Powermax !!!

Thats odd because I thought they had stopped making them a few years ago.

Tony

 

[Range185]

How could scale stop it firing ! It sounds very much like an electrode or PCB problem to me, as I've had this sort of problem with the same boiler in the past.

They must of meant install another Potterton unit, not another Powermax surely ?

I think at the end of the day BG will just want to install a new boiler so will make any excuse to justify that line of thinking, when in actual fact you will probably find it can be fixed quite easily by an honest independant.

Regards,

 

[ChrisR]

Important question, which often kills these off,at a stroke -
Can you see all the flue?
If it's hidden away, the boiler has to be declared At Risk and turned off.

Flues can be a major problem. In smaller properties, up to a well-insulated 2 bed flat perhaps, an electric boiler/tank combination can be viable.

 

[rusky0106]

Thanks all. I have spoken to another engineer this morning who has also said that he can replace it like for like and it has to be like for like due to the flue etc.

Should I be getting someone round to look at the electrode or PCB then? My only concern is how long before these go again on these powermaxes?

Sorry to sound so dim on this but I have no clue when it comes to boilers. I'm just in a situation where I need to keep costs down and get a solution ASAP.

The Flue goes into the ceiling and comes out the side of my apartment block about 4 metres away from where the boiler is in the middle of the flat.

Just wondering whether its worth just getting it replaced like for like and hoping for the best.

 

[Agile]

No competent gas engineer would be happy to do any work on your boiler if the flue cannot be inspected along all its length.

I think that it was agreed that they would be classified as At Risk in that situation and that means an advised turn off! Can anyone remember the situation in that respect?

Tony

 

[marsaday]

if you can find a powermax specialist then you are laughing. my plumber up here is one and he loves them. i am sure you can get it fixed rather than a full replacement.

 

[wesdag]

Thanks all. I have spoken to another engineer this morning who has also said that he can replace it like for like and it has to be like for like due to the flue etc.

Should I be getting someone round to look at the electrode or PCB then? My only concern is how long before these go again on these powermaxes?

Sorry to sound so dim on this but I have no clue when it comes to boilers. I'm just in a situation where I need to keep costs down and get a solution ASAP.

The Flue goes into the ceiling and comes out the side of my apartment block about 4 metres away from where the boiler is in the middle of the flat.

Just wondering whether its worth just getting it replaced like for like and hoping for the best.

Hi Rusky,
Any updates on this as I'm also being told I need a replacement,
Cheers,
Wesley

 

[maddog1964]

as ive posted before baxi will repair your boiler for £289 payable over 10 months and will insure it for a year
you can call them out every 28 days
baxi 08448711525