Any plumbers about or any ideas please?

It is a Halstead, well spotted @Fat Controller . ACE HE 30. Edit: 10 years old this January coming
We've filled the pressure up.. it's still dropping and leaking. The old man said the leak is coming from up inside not the elbow. You and @pete are correct it's the screws of the brackets that's rusting.

Actually now you mention it, I vaguely remember calling some other "homecare" type thing and having the pump, a leak and vessel (red balloon inflated) sorted before. BUT I never knew about the leak before calling them out, just a drop in pressure (edit 2: and no central heating but we had hot water..) after being stung twice and not having a problem since.. I cancelled the insurance on it.. whoops.

 

Aw thank you @Fat Controller for the info. Your a handy mate to have aye! I think it may well be a new boiler then.. it is coming up to 10 yrs. I'll see what the plumber says but I really do think it's on its last legs!

 

Oh I am slightly worried about how much it's all going to cost.. hence why I didn't ring anyone straight away. If I (otherhalf/dad) can fix it, all the better!

I'm on the vaillant and Worcester Bosch pages..and googling the boiler faults.. prob is best to just wait to see what Nick (plumber) says.. I'll keep you updated

 

That has tickled me

By the way, FC is right, worcester bosch or vaillant are v good. My dads been a plumber for 40 years and my brother about 10 and they both fit them. They would never fit a shoddy boiler brand. My dad in particular is very very fussy and a jobsworth to the extreme and compleely recommends them.

Id have asked my dad about the boiler problem but hes 200miles away and struggles to pick up the phone let alone use the internet! Lol

 

Normally a 10 year old boiler should still be repairable if FC's prognosis is close. I had a Worcester Bosch fitted 10 years ago . Condensing boilers are far more efficient , I think these are the only type available now. My gas bill /usage dropped by exactly 30% after fitting . I had my boiler fitted by a registered BG engineer as a "foreigner". In budget figures a boiler costs less than £1000 for a normal house , allow two men x 2 days to fit = £1000. So budget cost should be less than £2000. As @Loofah shows above.
For an example I got my then supplier Npower to quote . He sat down with his laptop and pressed buttons for 10 minutes . Luckily Harry there is a 25% discount on this month (lucky me ) if you can sign today , how does £6300 sound !!
I now get gas and electricity billed through Avro . My bill is cheaper than Npower was 8 years ago.

 

If it's a straight swap it shouldn't take any more than a day...for one man. BG will try sell you a powerflush aswell. Quite good if ur just having a straight swap but they'll try charge you about £500-600 for it. Private plumber wouldnt be more than £300. BG=RIP OFF

 

Just asked my bro and he said £1000 for a worcester bosch and £500 max for labour. (Straight swap) 1 days work. Powerflush about £350 including chemicals.

 

Thanks again all, really appreciate it! I was thinking it would be more around the £4000 mark so that's really good to know. Plumber was too busy today, should be round tomorrow afternoon to have a look.

I wouldn't dream of going back to British gas, ever. No offence intended to your brother @Snorky85 . Or having a boiler fitted by an energy supplier. I was kind of swaying towards vaillant last night as it has the 7 year guarantee but a lot of you have the Worcester Bosch with no probs.. I assume?

As soon as he makes his diagnosis I'll let you all know

 

Oh no offence-he's only contracting down here for them as he earns twice as much than being self employed up north sadly! He hates that they rip ppl off. Unfortunately as a contractor he is just told to turn up and do the work-not involved in deciding what needs to be done etc.

 

Plumbers have been, excuse my terminology.. I have 1 problem in 2 places, a major leak in "the bendy pipe" and the pump has a leak too. They have made temporary repairs and will be back next week with the parts. In the meantime, I can use the boiler for hot water and expect a bit of leakage but if it's peeing out like it has been, stop using and give them a ring.

I asked was it worth getting a new boiler or getting it fixed, they said boilers should last around 12 years and after them fixing it should last another 2, everything else looks ok so it's up to me.. (great!) Asked how much he said £1,400 for a decent one, can't remember makes. For a Worcester bosch/ vaillant I'm looking at £1,700, there was a Baxi mentioned too. He said he don't bother with budget boilers.

 

Good news then, hopefully not too expensive !

Sounds like you have a good bit of time to save up for a new boiler at your leisure and arrange to have it fitted in the middle of summer so minimal disruption.
Think I 'd agree with the others , go for a W or V boiler, worth the extra.