This was a little repair I did on a Vaillant ECOTEC Pro 28 in Sheffield S11 last week. I had been called as the boiler was low on pressure and was coming up with the F.22 fault code. Upon closer inspection there were other issues as well.
So on the ecoTEC range of boilers the condensate trap is connected to the heat exchanger via a flexible corrugate plastic pipe which sometimes fails. In my experience it is not as common as some of the other issues you get with the ecoTEC. There are two different types of condensate trap and I carry both variations for repair jobs.
Vaillant ecoTEC Pro leaking corrugated condensate pipe
This particular boiler hadn’t been looked at for a while but this is a good example of why you should get your boiler checked over every once in a while. The condensate produced by condensing boilers is acidic and will corrode any metals it comes in contact with. Also your boiler is not working safely if this condensate pipe develops a leak as you start to get flue gasses recirculating around the boiler affecting the combustion cycle.
On top of that you wouldn’t want the condensate to corrode a hole through the gas pipe and in the main image you can see where the condensate had been collecting corroding all the pipe at the bottom of the boiler. Checking these pipes for leaks is something I always do on a service as I am aware of the problem. Usually you could notice a steady drip from your boiler when its running if this part has failed.
Quick peek inside Vaillant ecoTEC heat exchanger with endoscope
I have an endoscope that I use various tasks. I will usually remove the spark electrode assembly so I can have a look inside the heat exchanger to determine if it warrants cleaning. The image above shows what the heat exchanger on this boiler looked like.
I was able to get this boiler up and running with one visit with the parts I carry. There were one or two or issues with the boiler not relating to this, the expansion vessel was flat the pressure sensor needed replacing and one or two other things like the filling loop.
Areas where I can repair your Vaillant ecotec pro combi boiler
I cover a large part of South Yorkshire including most of Sheffield, Rotherham and Barnsley. I also cover a small part of Doncaster.
Sheffield:
I cover most of Sheffield including central Sheffield, Chapeltown, Ecclesfield, Grenoside, High Green, Oughtibridge, Thurgoland, Wortley, Aston, Aughton, Swallownest, Todwick, Hillsborough and Stannington.
Rotherham:
I cover the whole area of Rotherham including central Rotherham, Brinsworth, Catcliffe, Canklow, Masbrough, Treeton, Whiston, Greasbrough, Kimberworth, Thorpe Hesley, Rawmarsh, Wentworth, Bolton-on-Dearne, Goldthorpe, Thurnscoe, Wath-on-Dearne, Mexborough, Swinton, Kilnhurst, Hooton Roberts, Ravenfield, Thrybergh, Bramley, Hellaby, Maltby, Thurcroft, Wickersley and Braithwell.
Barnsley:
I cover most of Barnsley including central Barnsley, Birdwell, Stairfoot, Worsborough, Kendray, Ardsley, Athersley, Monk Bretton, Lundwood, Royston, Brierley, Cudworth, Cortonwood, Great Houghton, Shafton, South Hiendley, Brampton, Darfield, Wombwell, Hemingfield, Elsecar, Hoyland, Jump, Barugh Green, Cawthorne, Darton, Dodworth, Gawber, Mapplewell, Pogmoor, Staincross, Wilthorpe, Worsbrough, Thurnscoe and Tankersley.
Doncaster:
I cover a small part of Doncaster including central Adwick, Conisborough, Edlington, Warmsworth and Mexborough.