Boiler Query

[Goksly]

So my mums boiler seems to have given up the ghost - Worcester giving an E9 code. Called someone out who seemed a bit maverick (boiler full on with the case off / heat exchanger cover also off). Anyways tested various things (fan / pump / condenser) and said all of them seem ok so seems like it's the heat exchanger which isn't worth replaced for cost - aka you need a new boiler.

Boiler is 13 or so years old services yearly - so yeah it's probably on its last legs, but just wanted to make sure the information I'm being told is correct. He said the exchanger looked cracked (which it does) but when I googled new ones they all looked pretty similar tbh.

Also he said worcester boilers are pretty rubbish now with their aluminum heat exchangers, everyone has moved to stainless steal and Baxi (who he is tightly integrated with) is the one to go with (baxi platinum 33kw). I always thought Worcester and Vaillant were the ones to go for... Have things changed?

Any help much appreciated.

Spoiler: Heat Exchanger

 

[demonix]

I highly doubt that boiler is on it's last legs as from a quick google, the E9 fault code refers to an overheat issue relating to either a faulty pump, blocked heat exchanger or wiring/sensor issues and if that person is correct with his diagnosis of the other components it's more then likely a blocked heat exchanger which should be easily fixed with a specific chemical (I can't remember what it is that is required) and a hour or more of labour to remove the heat exchanger and pour said item into the heat exchanger to clear out the blockage and flush any remains of the chemical out (I had to experience a boiler issue where it wasn't delivering hot water constantly and it left the landlord scratching his head until he found out what was needed to clear out the heat exchanger which getting it removed was the only major issue as it was berried a lot further inside then that one).

One rule is to never trust someone who has close ties with a specific brand as they can easily tell lies to get you to buy that specific manufacturers product over once from another manufacturer and a top 10 list of boiler manufacturers from the heatable website placing both Worcester Bosch and Valliant above Baxi with getting a very good Baxi boiler requiring a roulette style gamble or extensive research.

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[gc123]

if it was me i would try worcester themselves and see if they do a fixed repair scheme. several on here have used such schemes and been happy. we had a ideal 30kw boiler 13 years old not holding pressure loads of sucking in and telling us it was heat exchanger etc prices up to 600 pound. ideal wanted 399 and basically they would change whatever needed to make it work or no cost.
in the end we qualified for a goverment scheme and got a new boiler for just a bit less money , but we would have gone with ideal if couldnt get a new one.