Question Author
well,
looked at the immersion today, all wiring burnt and bald. Shooty was correct about those stupid cheap spanners, little chance of removing the element without wrecking the cylinder. ( although I tried) I then decided it was probably the stat that had failed, so removed the stat from the new element and slid that into place, then realised that there was no earth connection on the existing element. I noticed a small round hole that was gunged up, thought that it was probably where the earth rod should go, cleaned it with a screwdriver, then " pop" water gushed out, finger over hole, what to do now?? grabbed a towel, stemmed the leak which subsided, tried to screw a self tapping screw with ptfe taope wrapped round, but not much good. I drained some water with a fine tube, got a blow torch and soldered a brass screw into the hole. refitted the new stat, and all is well ( we hope)hot water.
I went to wickes to price up a cylinder, they are £205. copper is as thin as a fag paper.
percy.