Are you in need of a part, spare or repair for your old Worcester Bosch boiler?
Perhaps you already suspect you know what the problem from the error code displayed on your boiler – be it a faulty pump, fan or ignition leads etc. – or perhaps you only suspect your boiler needs a new part.
Either way, paying over the odds for Worcester Bosch parts and spares can be a big concern for many of my customers, and quite rightly so. As an experienced heating engineer, the last thing I want is to see people getting ripped off – it’s rare, but it does occasionally happen (ever seen ‘Rogue Traders’?).
The good news is that Worcester Bosch has a UK manufacturing plant, so it’s fairly easy to source parts and check that you’re not paying more than you need.
Below, I’m going to tell you more about what to do if you need Worcester Bosch parts, spares and repairs for your old boiler.
Get a couple of quotes
The first thing you should do when you have a faulty boiler (and your boiler is out of warranty) is to call Worcester Bosch accredited installer, as they will be the most experienced and equipped to repair your boiler. You may want to call two or three to see if they all give the same advice.
They should be able to tell you what’s wrong and quote you a price for the part you need, supplied and fitted. Don’t forget to always ask for a fixed price, detailed quotation; even if it’s just a simple repair job.
Now, it’s useful to remember that your chosen engineer or heating company will usually make a mark-up on the part of around 20%, and also charge for labour. You may also pay slightly more for an accredited installer’s knowledge, but it will be worth it in the end.
As an example, we were once called out to repair an old Worcester Bosch Junior. The customer in question had agreed to let a previous engineer replace the air pressure switch and fan, but the boiler was still refusing to co-operate.
When we arrived, we tested the circuit board through its sequence with a volt meter and confirmed our thoughts with Worcester Bosch’s technical help. We ended up replacing the PCB board and it fired up first time. First engineer took over 4 hours with no fix, compared to our 1 hour- he was one happy customer!
Double check online
It’s true that getting two or three different quotes is a good way to ensure you’re not getting fleeced, but since this is the age of the internet, you should also be able to do a quick check for yourself via plumbing and heating supply websites, or even your local Parts Centre.
Just remember that 20% mark-up and extra charge for labour when you do, as it’s not unreasonable for your local heating engineer to charge a bit more than the price you’d pay for the part alone (otherwise, they’d go out of business!).
TIP: If an engineer tells you a part will take a week to source, but you can find it available online or at your local Parts Centre (especially for cheaper), you can be fairly sure you’re getting a bum deal.
Never source a part yourself
Occasionally, homeowners will feel the need to take it upon themselves to source a part for their boiler themselves, in a bid to save money. However, this is something I would never advise to my clients under any circumstances.
Firstly, if you stick to your own diagnosis of what’s wrong with your boiler (even with the instruction manual to help you), you may end up ordering the wrong part, which will be a waste of money – so, when you do call an engineer to fit it, you’ll not only be paying for their time but potentially another part, too.
Secondly, there are many parts sold on places like eBay which are not genuine Worcester Bosch parts, or are second hand. I would not choose to fit these parts, as they may not be certified to British standards, or they may in fact be worn or faulty.
Check your warranty
What are the most commonly sourced parts?
The most commonly sourced parts for Worcester Bosch boilers in particular are:
- Pilot assemblies
- Ignition leads
- PCB boards
- Auto air vents
- Fans
- Pressure switches
- Pumps
NOTE: I’ve personally never had to replace a heat exchanger on a Worcester Bosch boiler.
Conclusion
I hope this blog has been of help when looking to get a Worcester Bosch part, spare or repair for your old boiler. Just remember to call Worcester Bosch and check your warranty first, as some boilers come with up to 10-year guarantees – you never know, you might still be covered.
TIP: If you have a CDi model with Worcester Bosch controls and filter, these parts will also be covered a 10-year guarantee, provided your boiler has been serviced annually.
Do you need further help with sourcing a part or repair for your Worcester Bosch boiler? Feel free to get in touch with me directly, or alternatively leave a comment below – I’ll be happy to help!
