I have an Aqualisa Thermostatic shower running off a Combi boiler. It
is about 13 years old and the thermostatic cartridge was replaced about
6 years ago. I note from Andy's post a little lower in the board that
it is probably time for another replacement !

However, it was functioning fine until a week or two ago when I noticed
it was dripping from the barrel. I assumed that the gasket had gone,
ordered a replacement from (the excellent) Aqualis spares Dep. I took
the cartridge out, cleaned it all up and refitted with the new gasket,
and guess what - yep still leaking. Repeated the operation - with no
improvement. It seems to be coming from around one of the 4 screws
holding the cartridge in place & It is getting worse.

So my dilemma is... if I replace the cartridge at £100 will it cure the
leak ? i.e. are the units prone to cracking and leaking (I cant see
anything). Or is it possible that something else is causing the leak (
e.g.warped unit) ?

Thanks for any help. comments thoughts and advice.

--
John B

On Tue, 04 Nov 2003 22:44:21 +0000, JohnB
wrote:

I have an Aqualisa Thermostatic shower running off a Combi boiler. It
is about 13 years old and the thermostatic cartridge was replaced about
6 years ago. I note from Andy's post a little lower in the board that
it is probably time for another replacement !

It could be

However, it was functioning fine until a week or two ago when I noticed
it was dripping from the barrel.

Whereabouts from the barrel? Where it meets the back part or around
the spindle.

I assumed that the gasket had gone,
ordered a replacement from (the excellent) Aqualis spares Dep. I took
the cartridge out, cleaned it all up and refitted with the new gasket,
and guess what - yep still leaking. Repeated the operation - with no
improvement. It seems to be coming from around one of the 4 screws
holding the cartridge in place & It is getting worse.

IIRC, the cartridge is made with two sections riveted or possibly
welded together. I have never drilled one to look inside but I
wouldn't be surprised if there is a seal in there that is failing.

Mine started leaking around the spindle in the centre, and I am pretty
sure that there is an O-ring or something in there.

So my dilemma is... if I replace the cartridge at £100 will it cure the
leak ? i.e. are the units prone to cracking and leaking (I cant see
anything). Or is it possible that something else is causing the leak (
e.g.warped unit) ?

Thanks for any help. comments thoughts and advice.

I would call their technical dept. I found them pretty honest and
not suggesting a new cartridge when it wasn't necessary


..andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

"Andy Hall" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 04 Nov 2003 22:44:21 +0000, JohnB
wrote:

I have an Aqualisa Thermostatic shower running off a Combi boiler. It
is about 13 years old and the thermostatic cartridge was replaced about
6 years ago. I note from Andy's post a little lower in the board that
it is probably time for another replacement !

It could be

However, it was functioning fine until a week or two ago when I noticed
it was dripping from the barrel.

Whereabouts from the barrel? Where it meets the back part or around
the spindle.

I assumed that the gasket had gone,
ordered a replacement from (the excellent) Aqualis spares Dep. I took
the cartridge out, cleaned it all up and refitted with the new gasket,
and guess what - yep still leaking. Repeated the operation - with no
improvement. It seems to be coming from around one of the 4 screws
holding the cartridge in place & It is getting worse.

IIRC, the cartridge is made with two sections riveted or possibly
welded together. I have never drilled one to look inside but I
wouldn't be surprised if there is a seal in there that is failing.

Mine started leaking around the spindle in the centre, and I am pretty
sure that there is an O-ring or something in there.

So my dilemma is... if I replace the cartridge at £100 will it cure the
leak ? i.e. are the units prone to cracking and leaking (I cant see
anything). Or is it possible that something else is causing the leak (
e.g.warped unit) ?

Thanks for any help. comments thoughts and advice.

I would call their technical dept. I found them pretty honest and
not suggesting a new cartridge when it wasn't necessary


.andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

I have had one of these showers for about 20 odd years. I find I have to
replace the cartridge about every five years. Each time I think about
ripping it out and installing something simpler, but it would involve such
a lot of work, and I'm getting too old to be laying on the floor trying to
get to the plumbing behind the bath.
Previously when it failed it would not turn off fully, but this last time we
were getting a leak around the spindle, as Andy mentions. Sorry I can't
offer you a solution other than to repeat Andy's suggestion to contact
Aqualisa technical dept.

Ed

Ed Rear wrote:
"Andy Hall" wrote in message
...

On Tue, 04 Nov 2003 22:44:21 +0000, JohnB
wrote:


I have an Aqualisa Thermostatic shower running off a Combi boiler. It
is about 13 years old and the thermostatic cartridge was replaced about
6 years ago. I note from Andy's post a little lower in the board that
it is probably time for another replacement !

It could be

However, it was functioning fine until a week or two ago when I noticed
it was dripping from the barrel.

Whereabouts from the barrel? Where it meets the back part or around
the spindle.


I assumed that the gasket had gone,
ordered a replacement from (the excellent) Aqualis spares Dep. I took
the cartridge out, cleaned it all up and refitted with the new gasket,
and guess what - yep still leaking. Repeated the operation - with no
improvement. It seems to be coming from around one of the 4 screws
holding the cartridge in place & It is getting worse.

IIRC, the cartridge is made with two sections riveted or possibly
welded together. I have never drilled one to look inside but I
wouldn't be surprised if there is a seal in there that is failing.

Mine started leaking around the spindle in the centre, and I am pretty
sure that there is an O-ring or something in there.

So my dilemma is... if I replace the cartridge at £100 will it cure the
leak ? i.e. are the units prone to cracking and leaking (I cant see
anything). Or is it possible that something else is causing the leak (
e.g.warped unit) ?

Thanks for any help. comments thoughts and advice.

I would call their technical dept. I found them pretty honest and
not suggesting a new cartridge when it wasn't necessary


.andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl


I have had one of these showers for about 20 odd years. I find I have to
replace the cartridge about every five years. Each time I think about
ripping it out and installing something simpler, but it would involve such
a lot of work, and I'm getting too old to be laying on the floor trying to
get to the plumbing behind the bath.
Previously when it failed it would not turn off fully, but this last time we
were getting a leak around the spindle, as Andy mentions. Sorry I can't
offer you a solution other than to repeat Andy's suggestion to contact
Aqualisa technical dept.

Ed

Thanks Andy & Ed.

I feel more reassured that buying a replacement cartridge will cure the
leak - and its replacement is "overdue" !!

John