Advice on advice re Keston C36 Combi Boiler

Discussion in 'Plumbers' Talk' started by HaplessHomeowner, Feb 1, 2015.

?

Do you think I should pay for a 2nd opinion

  1. Yes - this advice sounds dodgy

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  2. No - you're likely to get the same answer

    1 vote(s)
    100.0%
  1. HaplessHomeowner

    HaplessHomeowner New Member

    Hi all

    After 2 days of my boiler behaving rather oddly (heating cutting out and now basically not coming on at all, hot water sometimes hot, sometimes not and mostly just warmish) I had an engineer take a look yesterday. My research had suggested a problem with the diverter valve, which this guy did sort of agree with. Basically he's said he's not entirely sure what the problem is, but we could try replacing the diverter valve and the plate heat exchanger and see if that works. If it doesn't we could then swap out the pump too. All of which are fairly expensive parts so the repair work alone would be pushing £700 or so. So, the guy is recommending that I just replace the boiler (which has only been in light operation for 5 years!).

    I have heard repeatedly from people doing my annual service how rubbish Keston boilers are so had had in mind to replace it with a more reputable brand in about 5 years time even if it was still running okay. This is also what I'd had recommended after my last service only 3 months ago. However, my boiler is situated in the middle of my flat with a long way for any pipework to go before it reaches the outside. I currently have a flue (I think that's the right term) which runs for about 15 odd meters, which apparently seriously limits my choice in boiler. So, what this guy has said is that I will probably need to replace it with another Keston to avoid having to replace the flue as well although he wasn't even sure whether the newer Keston's would fit either.

    I guess my questions are:
    1. What do people think of the initial assessment of the problem - is it really not possible to know what the problem is before starting to swap out (really expensive) parts?
    2. How can I tell myself whether the flue will be okay for the newer Keston? I've looked at the specs for the Keston Combi 30 and the C36. The size seems to be the same (50mm) and they're both apparently muPVC but one is described as plastic (C36) and the other as solvent weld (30). I think they might be the same thing but I'm not sure! If they are, should the boiler replacement be a simple swap out or are there any other things that might complicate the installation? This guy started saying other stuff about the pipework which totally went over my head but basically were other reasons why the pipes might need to be replaced even though they're only 2 years old!
    3. This guy wasn't even able to say whether the inspection hatches are big enough for new pipework to be threaded without starting to rip holes in the ceiling. Is this really something that can't be assessed by sight?
    4. Is there another possible solution (other than an electric boiler) that might get me a better brand boiler without grotesquely inflating costs? This expense has come 5 years early i.e. I hadn't even started saving for it so will be borrowing the money to pay for whatever solution I have to go with. :-(
    5. Do you think I should just cough up for another person to give me a 2nd opinion?

    Sorry this is so long! I'm just a single female who is very wary of being conned by tradesmen trying to make money off my ignorance. Plus, the company wasn't up front about the hourly rate they quoted me not including VAT which I always makes me extra suspicious. There's no need to be evasive about that.

    Thanks in advance for any advice. :)
     
  2. My advice is that you need another engineer.

    I don't know about Keston boilers, but I think I recall reading here they are to be avoided (but don't quote me...)

    Yes, sometimes it's hard to pin-point the cause of a problem, but if the only solution this current fellow can come up with it to "try replacing parts - it might or might not work", then that is ridiculous.

    You say that it's mainly an issue with the (DHW) hot water supply, but that the Central Heating also sometimes doesn't work either? That would suggest that it ain't just down to the Plate Exchanger, so possibly why he's angling for swapping the diverter valve.

    But, there HAS to be a proper way of diagnosing these items without resorting to simply replacement.

    There has to be....

    (How much has this guy charged so far for his non-diagnosis?)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 1, 2015
  3. HaplessHomeowner

    HaplessHomeowner New Member

    That's my favourite part. This guy turned up 25 minutes late, spent about 20 minutes on his phone possibly texting, emailing or more worringly Googling my boilers symptoms,left for 10 minutes to get something he'd forgotten from his van and then made a big show of 'only' charging me for an hour even though he'd been on site for for 1hr10min. At £65 per half hour. Ex VAT. The more I think about it, the dodgier this guy sounds. I think you're right a 2nd opinion is the way forward.
     
  4. What part of the world are you in?

    Might be worth contacting Keston themselves and see if they have an 'approved' fixer.
     
  5. HaplessHomeowner

    HaplessHomeowner New Member

    I'm in London. Just tried them, but they're not open on Sundays. Will try again tomorrow. Good tip - it seems they don't charge a call-out fee so I might be able to get a 2nd opinion for free. :)
     
  6. Cool.

    Keep us posted.
     
  7. HaplessHomeowner

    HaplessHomeowner New Member

    So, my boiler is finally fixed (note fixed, not replaced). I ultimately decided to get in a Keston specialist boiler engineer. They charged a £275 fixed repair fee BUT, this included the call out charge (£150) and most replacement parts. The only exception was the plate heat exchanger which they said would be another £200 if it needed to be replaced, including labour. The engineer was LOVELY, punctual and seemed to be really thorough. He spent about 2 hours in all at my property and replaced a bunch of little things like resistors and the diverter valve (not the whole damned hidroblock which is what the other engineer told me the diverter valve was!) and he swapped out the control panel just because the one I had was an old version. I don't know whether the parts came to much at all, but I do not care. I think I probably saved money just in labour costs. What was really great was that he was carrying all the spares he needed so there was no waiting for parts to be ordered, multiple visits, etc.

    I'm so damned grateful you gave me that extra push to get a second opinion. The other guy was clearly bs'ing me all the way to the bank. Interestingly though, I never heard back from him with the estimates he promised me, so maybe he smelled my scepticism!
     
  8. Dave does Gas

    Dave does Gas Screwfix Select

    You got a good price there for all that work and parts. I have to admit I avoid Kestons like the plauge. Over engineered and not service friendly in y opinion.
     
  9. HaplessHomeowner

    HaplessHomeowner New Member

    The Keston came with the house unfortunately. And the design of the house means I may be stuck with them or a big remodelling bill. But, Keston has been bought out by Ideal, which apparently are much better. The engineer today was telling me that the new Ideals come with a 10 year warranty and the new Keston's are basically Ideal's inside.
     
  10. You got it fixed, and it wasn't TOO expensive - that's the important thing. It's always scary when you have no idea what the final bill might be, so these fixed-price deals are often a good call (obviously, sometimes it's a very simple cheap fault, so they pocket the profit with these...)

    Funnily enough, Ideal went through a really bad time with their early condensing model (Isar?) - plagued with problems. I'm sure they're a much better bet these days, tho'.

    Happy new - fixed - boiler :) Hopefully it'll go on now for a goodly number of years.
     
    HaplessHomeowner likes this.
  11. HaplessHomeowner

    HaplessHomeowner New Member

    It's been so blissful being able to have hot showers again. :) And I hope it lasts for a very long time too! But, I'll be saving up for the worst case scenario from NOW rather than waiting another couple of years to start saving. Not least because the Keston engineer told me most of the parts for my boiler will stop being manufactured within the next 2 years. Some apparently are already unavailable.
     
  12. development

    development New Member

    Dear Haplesshomeowner,
    Please help !
    I think I have the same problem, but for a diagnostic, WeFixNow sent an engineer who started reading C36 manual and calling his colleague --- and so on on 11th July 2015 after they had let me wait literally for the whole day since the appointment was 9-11, a day before made, the boiler has been just inspected ! they forced me to pay 260.40 for a call-out charge.
    I'd like to get to know that nice engineer in order to repair this Keston C36 ASAP.
    Please help !
     
  13. Now ladies, you are going to have to stop fighting over this one nice Keston guy :rolleyes:.

    Dev'nt, just phone up Keston - that's it.

    (Tell us about WeFixNow - why didn't the guy actually fix the boiler? How long was he there for? And what did he spend the time doing?)
     
  14. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice