Gas boiler service, what should it entail?

[badabec]

Hello, I've only ever had solid fuel boilers (they get quite warm when the coal hopper catches alight) and now an oil fired boiler.
My daughter's gas boiler conked out. The 'engineer' came round, drained the condensate trap, switched off then back on again. Hey presto, working.
Question. What does a gas boiler service entail? With the boiler running, he opened up the inspection port on the flue, poked in a probe, left it running and looked at the readout from the gizmo. O2, CO2 and CO were all within limits as were the other parameters.
And that was it.
At least when they service my oil boiler all the baffles come out, photo-electric cell gets an inspection, the fan get brushed and all gets Hoovered. Plus they put in a new nozzle.
The boiler is a cheapo Potterton thing.

 

[Morrisman]

When BG service my LPG boiler the guy does pretty much what you said, turns the heating on, hot water on, pokes a probe in, has a look around it, then he's done, ten minutes tops.

 

[Dave-sparks]

The service should follow the manufacturers instructions and this varies between each make and model of boiler.

 

[waddycall]

a lot of modern gas boilers need new seals if they’re opened up. Many manufacturers say not to disturb them unless either the combustion readings are out or the fan pressure is out. i used to service boilers for a living. I serviced oil and gas boilers in the 90’s, left and went into r&d then went back into servicing 5 years ago. It was a real shock servicing gas boilers now. at first I felt uneasy unless I took them to bits! I’m back in r&d now.

 

[Morris]

The service should include the water (magnetite) filter and water treatment check. Mine does and also follows the service schedule, which varies depending on the year (Baxi 800).

 

[Bladevane]

IMHO the term “service” is incorrect. I would call it a safety check and recognise what has been said above as the content. If the combustion ratio is correct there’s not a lot to go wrong. If the boiler guy checks the condensate trap you’re lucky.

 

[JEZGUZ]

I get mine done every year as I rent my flat, boiler safety check was done last week, checked water pressure, gas pressure, exhaust/flue O2&CO etc with a probe, cleaned out the condenser and checked the magnetic filter thingy. I had a leaky valve on a rad so he sorted that as well.

 

[Smallfry]

They used to have cast iron heat exchangers which rust on the outside, so a service would involve a strip and brushing, vacuuming etc, pilot light clean, and combustion test.
Modern boilers are stainless and aluminium, so do not need this done.
So nowadays you boiler service includes not a lot. Takes longer to fill out the paperwork and write up the bill, which will be reassuringly expensive to make you feel better. Price will include the obligatory cup of tea and use of the toilet.

 

[Robotstar5]

Our annual Vaillant service is normally about 45 - 50 minutes. Not really taken much notice of what goes on, but covers off, checking things with meters, cleaning filter and checking gas pressure at the meter.

 

[badabec]

Thanks for the information. It cost £80 (cash please) and a cup of tea. Didn't need the toilet. It makes the £100 for my oil boiler service seem cheap.