Gas meter replaced, then combi boiler starts leaking gas?

mikemack00 · Jan 28, 2012

Hi Guys

I had our gas meter replaced for a new one the other day, and since then, when we turn on the central heating there was a smell of gas. I assumed that the gas meter wasnt fitted properly so I called out the gas company yesterday, however they have told me there is nothing wrong with the gas meter and that the leak is coming from the combi boiler.

Could it be that when he turned on the gas supply he has blown a valve in the boiler?

RWJ · Jan 28, 2012

Have you tried asking the question on our sister forum?

Plumbing Forum | Plumbing Advice | Plumbers Forums | A forum for plumbers advice in the UK

mikemack00 · Jan 28, 2012

Thanks, I will give it a go.

RWJ · Jan 28, 2012

They might be pipe fiddlers but they're better positioned to answer gas questions than most on here.

I for one don't go anywhere near gas as I haven't a clue I think most sparks on here will be the same.

Good luck.. Let us know how you got on :smiley2:

puddle · Jan 28, 2012

All is possible but doubtful ,what may of happened is the working pressure was low before at boiler and now meter replaced with new governor,the working pressure is correct and maybe if boiler originally was not set up properly ,could now be over gassed,usually you would get smell of gas through flue

You say you are only getting smell of gas once boiler is on,so does not seem as debre from change over is in gas valve and causing it to let by

Presume your supplier came back and checked,if they did not isolate gas supply,does point to boiler not burning correctly as above

As we know,you get a lot of coincidences happen in the trades and you can be sent up a merry path if you link one with tuther sometimes

Obviously you should get a gsr operative in to check boiler asap and make any required adjustments or repairs and hopefully they will shed some light into what the actual cause is/was
What make and model is it ?

As said sure the lads on the plumbing forums will have other suggestions

mikemack00 · Jan 28, 2012

Thanks for taking the time to respond Puddle, Gas safe engineer came out and found the gas pipe going into the boiler had a loose connector thingy me bob, must have worked itself loose? All sorted now.

sambotc · Jan 29, 2012

Doubt it, sounds more like whoever changed the meter, purged the gas supply to remove air and never tightened it back up properly and didn't test to me ! Either that or change in pressure, but unlikely!

chris murphy · Jan 31, 2012

sambotc said:
Doubt it, sounds more like whoever changed the meter, purged the gas supply to remove air and never tightened it back up properly and didn't test to me ! Either that or change in pressure, but unlikely!

"Hello sam",

Although this statement from the OP is slightly confusing: `when we turn on the central heating there was a smell of gas` regarding why the smell of Gas only when the Combi came On.

I agree - that could well be exactly what happened - not retightened correctly after purging the Gas Supply to the Combi Boiler. This would also suggest that the Meter Installer obviously did NOT carry out a Manometer Test on the Gas Pipework / His connections on the Meter !

The thing about that - as You know - is that the smell of Gas should NOT have been related to the Combi being On - although I have come across situations where People have only been aware of a Gas Leak when the Boiler / an Appliance was On even though it would have existed for Days.

I wonder if it was what We suspect ? - and how much mikemack00 had to Pay the Gas Safe Engineer to rectify that ?

Regards,

Chris

sambotc · Jan 31, 2012

I have had people say it was only smelling when on, but in fact the leak was on the pipework before. Not sure what the answer is, maybe they only realised as you say, or maybe there is a legitimate reason, like a small leak that passes more when the flow of gas increases etc. Also condensing boilers as you know pull gas through the supply pipe which is why you get a more significant pressure drop on the supply at other appliances, so maybe there is a reason?

I'd put money on the fact the meter engineer tested before he purged (if at all like you say!) and left the leak because he was in a hurry. Again like many posts on here, we may never know!

Sam

chris murphy · Feb 1, 2012

"Hello sam",

As You wrote - We will never know.

Please don`t be offended but I feel that I should explain something that You wrote - for the benefit of other readers on here:

Quote:

`Also condensing boilers as you know pull gas through the supply pipe which is why you get a more significant pressure drop on the supply at other appliances`

I KNOW that You mean High Input / Combi Boilers use a large Volume of Gas and require the correct size Gas Supply Pipe so that there is NOT a significant Pressure Drop at other Appliances.

Please don`t mind Me stating this - otherwise some People might think that finding a significant Pressure Drop on a Gas System where a Combi or other High Input Gas Boiler was installed was `To be Expected`/ Correct.

Regards,

Chris