I have a tribune premier electric boiler with a Zilmet expansion tank. I noticed that the expansion tank was not sitting upright (slightly tilted over). I then toughed it and it sprung a leak along the pipe. I tried to move it back again and it the pipe connecting the expansion tank came apart at a join in the middle. Anyway, water went everywhere from the tank and I switched the water off at the mains to stop the water now coming out of the part of the pipe that is still connected.

What do I need to fix this? Will I need a new expansion tank or is it just a matter of reconnecting the old one?

If the tank itself isn't leaking, and isn't full of water, and the threads are still good, you should be able to reuse the tank, just fix the connecting pipe and your all set.

Great thanks for your answer.. the tank definitely isn't full now as when the connecting pipe came off the water spread out of the pipe all over me.

On further investigation the pipe has split at a solder connection along the pipe.. I guess I can just get a new connection?

Yep, solder in a new connection and you should be all set. Now, the reason I asked if the tank was full is if it was full before the pipe broke(which I'm thinking it may have been because usually an empty tank won't put much stress on the pipe and fittings) then that means the tank is bad(bladder in tank has ruptured allowing tank to fill completely with water). Bladder style expansion tanks will actually not take on hardly any water, they should feel light to the touch, not heavy. At this point, I think I would suggest installing a new tank when fixing the broken pipe. This way you will be able to sleep better at night. If you do install the old tank, and it is bad, it will cause you headaches by way of your pressure relief valve popping off, making more of a water mess than you already have. Good luck and please let us know how things go.

I think in that case the tank may be bad as there was a lot of water that came out when the pipe broke. I guess that the weight of the tank may also explain the reason for the tank tilting over to one side. I think that I will call a plumber in the morning and probably arrange for him to install a new tank. I'll let you know on the final outcome. Thanks again for your help.

So the plumber came around and ordered a bracket to hold the expansion tank in place. He just reattached the old expansion tank. Currently there have been no more issue.. Hopefully it stays that way

Glad your up and running. Thanks for the update.