Can't remove lower immersion.

The lower immersion heater element on my Pulsacoil 2000 has failed. No off peak hot water, boost works fine. Had a plumber come out to replace it, he isolated the electrics, drained the boiler and then tried to remove the old element. Using the box spanner to try and remove it, it didn't budge a single mm. He tried heating the join, tapping the box spanner both ways to try and crack it loose, all to no avail. He was concerned that if he put any more force into trying to crack it loose, that he may damage the cylinder. He left, with payment for the parts, but politely declined the labour charge as he hadn't done anything apart from drain and refill the boiler (a truly honourable tradesman :-) ).

I'm now left with the new part, but no solution to my problem. Is there any recommended methods for freeing up a stuck immersion element? I've read that leaving the cylinder full gives it extra strength and using Plus Gas on the join can free it up enough to break the locked thread.

I'm not exactly flush with money and can't really afford the expense of replacing a whole cylinder for the sake of one part

Hi,

Drain down the tank and with a good spanner, use a small club hammer and gently tap it. It will come loose.

Kind regards

Gary

Hi

I agree with Gary, it simply takes a bit of care. I have never had an element that I haven't been able to remove yet.
It might pay you to check for a Gledhill specialist in your area by looking in the Gledhill specialists area of this website.

We cover the Midlands, and MK Group cover the area to the south of us.

Try a bit of WD40 as well which may help.

If heater tight.
I will strip off all the bits including cable clamp on heater.
A bit of heat on the inside of the heater (boss)
Then a small chisel and a hammer tap it to turn the heater left / anti clockwise.
Sometimes you may have to heat 2 to 3 times.
Be careful though.
I always loosen the heater before draining. ALWAYS as the volume of water does help to support everything.
AND
I always have a screwdriver / similar on hand which will fit the rod stat pocket.
As when tapping etc these can drop / fall off inside the unit.
And a jet of water will come out.
Mike

I hope we all haven't confused you. Best of luck

If looking for an engineer.
Check out my post headed
Finding an engineer and parts
Mike

Vet the company or engineers advertising as I have personally come across many that actually don't know what they are doing.