Water leaking from the Magnaclean attached to boiler

[Grigioni]

I've got a vaillant ecotec pro 280 combi boiler. Topped up the water pressure as instructed in the manual(it had dropped to 0.3 bar whilst I was away and the boiler had stopped working). It is now on 1.2 bar. However after doing this I now have water very slowly dripping out of the Magnaclean that is attached to the system.
I've tried to tighten this but still have the problem. Any ideas what I've done wrong?
Thanks
Jane

 

[nickso]

Nothing probably. the M/C will need a new O-ring on the lid probably, common issue.

 

[JohnD]

Yes, what you did wrong was to buy a Magnaclean. The build quality is poor and they are notorious for leaks.

I had some success by cleaning the thread on the cap and tub, and the rubber seal, then lubricating with a tiny smear of white silicone grease from a plumbers merchant (use no other lube)

See if you have the receipt and guarantee and start saving up for a Spiro. Sentinel or Fernox brand replacement. They are about 100 plus fitting. Go for one made of metal not plastic.

edited for spelling mistakes

 

[nickso]

As long as the thread is OK and a new seal put on it there is no need for a new filter. Don't use the isolation valves either.

 

[JohnD]

(he means that the isolating valves are also poor quality, and will also leak unless you never use them... which of course you have to do to empty the sediment)

The Magnaclean is very fast at trapping black sludge from a dirty old system, so it's a pity they're so bad for leaks.

With luck your Magnaclean has been in long enough by now to trap most of the circulating dirt, so I hope you are not getting much new dirt each time you clean the magnet sleeve.

The other filters are not as fast to work, but will go on for years without needing to be thrown away like a Magnaclean

The inventor of this product had tremendous sales when it first came out, he must be kicking himself now, for not paying more attention to product quality.

 

[Grigioni]

Thanks very much to you both for your advice. Much appreciated.

 

[nickso]

(he means that the isolating valves are also poor quality, and will also leak unless you never use them... which of course you have to do to empty the sediment)

I almost always drain or bung the system to clean an M/C. Saves messing about with the valves. Possibly not a great idea for the DIYer and I often clean it when I have the system drained or bunged for another reason.

 

[JohnD]

it would save even more trouble to have a device fitted that didn't leak

 

[nickso]

True, but if that's what you have.......

 

[Grigioni]

I think I've been quite lucky. It was fitted 3 yrs ago when I had the new boiler installed and not had a problem until now. Don't fancy paying out for another filter just yet. I'll try to stop it from leaking using your suggestions. Thank you again.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Contact Adey and they will send you a service kit.

I have installed hundreds of these, and only had a couple leak through anything other than overtightening, or a bit of crud on the O-ring.

Not even needed to use PTFE to fix it .

 

[Agile]

The latest model is much more solidly built and has solid looking valves too.

All a bit late for Chris's reputation perhaps!

 

[HH1]

That o-ring should always be smeared with some silicone grease.
Surprised they don't include a little tube with the kit.
Silly oversight.

 

[McCombi]

There was a bad batch of these produced about the same time yours was installed. Contact adey and they will send you a new seal kit for the lid and the magnet seal. Can't remember if its red lid seal that is replaced with black seal or vice versa.

 

[Grigioni]

Just wanted to say thank you. Did as advised, new O ring and smeared on the silicone grease. That was over a week ago and there's been no more leaks.
Thanks very much for your help
Jane