I've got an old (9 years old) Ariston Eurocombi. My radiators aren't getting hot, but the hot water from the tap is OK. The heating engineer says I need a new heat-exchanger, side-panels and that it's a good idea to change the water pump at the same time. It'll cost £350 to order a heat exchanger from Italy, plus fitting. Apparrently my Eurocombi predates the A23/A27 models... I can see heat exchangers for about £60 for those on the internet. Can anyone offer some advice ? If the heat exchanger is clogged with silt can it be flushed out ? Otherwise it's a few hundred quid to replace, but with the risk that my elderly boiler will break down again soon... or maybe I should bite the bullet and get a new one - More than £1000 I expect. Boo hoo !
Any advice appreciated.
James.

James Clancy, January 2008

Your problem is probably the 3 way divertor valve.

If the primary heat exvchanger is blocked yiou will not get hot water as the primary heat exchanger provides the hot water to the secondary DHW heat exchanger - via the 3 way divertor valve.

Go here

http://www.bes.co.uk/products/114.asp

and search for P/N 17091

This is the correct valve and a third of the price elsewhere

£23.25 plus vat - got mine yesterday for £28 and picked it up in Birmingham.

This valve does sludge up and jam.

It is a DIY fix if you are reasonable competant with spanners.

No gas to discinnect / mess with

Also for other spares try http://www.mjtcontrols.co.uk

main heatechanger heat £95 plus vat, but this part is easily removed and cleaned. if it does not leak you can clean it out.

hth

EliTom, April 2008