Belling Malaga E water heater

[Ken_374312330]

My Belling Malaga E is about 10 years old. It has not been used on gas for several years.

When I started it on gas it created a smell and black soot up the side of the caravan. Before I traced the smell to the heater, it had heated the water and produced soot up the side of the caravan.

The suggested repair locally is to replace the 'module' (presumably the burner) at £100+.

Having lifted out the heater, I can see through the flue and air inlet that it is full of cobwebs.

Can I get inside to vacuum the combustion chamber? There is a screwed on panel between the inlet and flue, but it appears to be sealed down.

If I let it burn, will it eventually clear itself?

Any suggestions (less than £100+) would be greatfully received.

The alternative seems to be to use it as an electric heater, and use the kettle on non-electric sites.

Thanks

Ken

 

[gary]

First you won't need to spend a ton on a module because it won't fit? that's for a Carver water heater!

Your heater though will need to be stripped down and cleaned manually because it certainly won't clean itself.

The reason for all is indeed the spiders and the mess their webs make of the air flow around and particularly 'through the burner', so the inside of the burner will also need cleaning out.

It needs to be said though this is a gas appliance and although you do not need to be corgi registered, you do still by law need to be competent to carry out such repairs, I feel then you should consider leaving this to such a person.

Belling BTW sold this heater to Propex from whom spares can be obtained, www.propexheatsource.co.uk

 

[Ken_374312330]

Thanks Gary,

Over the years I have tackled all sorts of DIY maintenance, so I feel confident and competent to clean out the heater.

I've tried to vacuum it through the flue and air vent. That moved quite a lot of rubbish, but it still smokes.

I would like to remove the panel between the flue and air intake to be able to clean the combustion chamber. Unfortunately, it has some sealer under it which would need to be replaced. What I really need to know is what type of sealer is required. It obviously has to be heatproof, so the normal domestic sealers won't be any use.

Can you help?

Ken

 

[gary]

I've actually no idea as I have never had one apart that far.

The burner comes out the side for cleaning and that can be difficult as the screws holding it are often corroded, however it must be removed to ensure the inside of the burner is clean.