Boiler Fan - Worcester 24i

The Iain · Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 10:50 am Post subject: Boiler Fan - Worcester 24i

My boiler started making really bad noises the other day and then stopped working, the fan appears to have seized up.

I took a look at it, and found that having given it a spin it started working again, but makes one hell of a noise - the bearings are knackered.

Is replacing the fan something I can do myself, or is it something I should get a professional to do? It doesn't look hard, and a new fan's about £60, but I dread to think what the installation costs will be.

Having recently been made redundant, I'm quite keen on saving money at the moment, but not at the expense of safety etc.
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2 scheds · Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 11:12 am Post subject:

If it's a straight swap out, plug n play stylee then I wouldn't have thought you need to worry too much.

If you have to deassmeble a load of parts before you get to the fan, or need to undo any sort of pipe work, then it's a job for a pro.

Have you posted on BoilerTalk.co.uk (or similar) for more advice?
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atomiclama · Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 11:24 am Post subject:

I'm no expert but I have stripped a few boilers down and replaced a few parts, nothing was that hard, bit tricky at times and having the instruction manual around helps to find that one screw hidden round tha back that stops something comming out.

If you are handy with tools then give it ago, it's broke so what's the worst you can do? obviously staying away from the gas connections.

You said that you could spin the fan to get it going, so it must be accessible. If you want to save money, try a bit of oil on the bearings before replacing the fan.
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The Iain · Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 11:28 am Post subject:

atomiclama · Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 11:59 am Post subject:

What type of oil? anything too thin or evaporates after (WD40) and it don't make alot of difference.

Any 3-in-1, little bit of engine oil, around?
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mikeaver · Joined: 23 Feb 2011 Posts: 280 Location: wimborne

how much is the safety of your family worth to you? buy the fan yourself and get a qualified gas safe engineer to fit it. It should not take longer than an hour and he will make sure it is working safely. The fan gets rid of the fumes and prevents the leakage of dangerous carbon monoxide!!

haych_seedy · Joined: 14 Feb 2010 Posts: 2515 Location: Reading

The Iain · Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 12:34 pm Post subject:

Having had a bit more of a look, I conclude that the last two posters are correct.

A change in choice of lube seems to have got it going again, but it's basically FUBAR. Shouldn't be too bad to replace, surely? It's a ~£60 part and to put it in requires undoing four screws, two hoses, and two power attachments, then putting the new one in and doing them up again.

That's what bugs me about it; very simple, very easy to do, but the nagging doubt that maybe I've done it wrong...
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atomiclama · Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 12:56 pm Post subject:

your call, only you know how confident you are to do the job. But I think you have already answered that.

Limpoldman · Joined: 10 May 2009 Posts: 1120 Location: Derby

I am a qualified gas man, so ill inform you.

Fan change is a very simple job but as others have said the fan is a vital part of your boilers combustion. Just by taking the case of you could of disturbed combustion therefore meaning you need to be gas safe to work on it. Worst case scenario is a 10000 pound fine or upto 2 years in jail.

Now I've told you the politics, if you have replaced the fan and its squealing there's something in it that shouldn't be. So either you've brought a dodgy fan or its sucking something in it. If you haven't replaced the fan a qualified experienced engineer would remove the fan strip and clean it and oil it put it back in and 9 times out of ten they are fine.

If you need any advice pm me
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The Iain · Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 4:50 pm Post subject:

Tony Stark · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 2486 Location: Milton Keynes

Bearings run on grease, not oil. Putting oil in just washes out what little grease remains and turns everything into a nice grinding paste.

Limpoldman · Joined: 10 May 2009 Posts: 1120 Location: Derby

Nobbie · Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Posts: 4397 Location: Wilmslow

Replace yourself and then get it serviced to make sure it's all good. Let's face it if the fan in fubared at the moment then it's already unsafe according to earlier posters. When was it last serviced?

K. · Joined: 01 Nov 2005 Posts: 10019 Location: Team TriActive