Yes try that and be careful doing it and when the engineer returns see if he will service the burners.
Once you've broke the grout try removing the panel yourself, undo the screws ad release. If its removable you're laughing.
I really like these appliances, although I personally don't have too much experience with them, I know pressure jet burners and would be more than prepared to take my time getting to the bottom of issues. Unfortunately a lot of engineers don't like them and most who know what they're doing are close to, if not already at retirement age, so if the engineer gets you out of trouble then keep him around.