Replaced Radiator - now problems with bleeding pump

Snetty

Hi there,

I recently replaced our kitchen radiator for a nice new chrome towel radiator. I had to drain the system, but when I did I found that the kitchen radiator (plus a couple of others) seemed to have been attached straight to the hot water system rather than the radiator circuit, so I had to turn off the hot water too and drain that. I fitted the radiator and refilled everything and bled the radiators so all should be sorted. Only thing is, that the pump clearly has air in it (you can hear it), but when I open the bleed valve, no air rushes out, I can literally take the valve out and look inside. The obvious answer to this would be a valve that I haven't switched back on, but I've double checked everything and I'm sure that they're all fine. Is this a common occurance? Can anyone think of something obvious that I've missed.?

Also, because of this, I'm not sure about having the boiler on. I've had it on for a short time, but the outbound pipe gets very hot (durr). I assume that the boiler works via convection and that this is normal, but I don't want to leave it on until I've had confirmation of this.

All help is much appreciated.

ChrisR · Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 1:27 pm Post Subject:

SOunds like an odd system - more details please. Boiler, controls...
Has the HW cylinder got any writing on it.

Snetty · Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 1:31 pm Post Subject:

No writing on the cylinder that I can see.

The boiler is gas powered, make and model I have no idea about, but as far as I'm aware it's never been replaced so that would make it about 25 years old.

Controller? er, just a thermostat in the lounge.

Sorry if I'm being a bit vague, I'm not sure exactly what you're asking.

Snetty · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 11:10 am Post Subject:

Bump..

Can nobody help me?

goooba769 · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 11:32 am Post Subject:

Snetty the bit where you mentioned some radiators are on the hotwater circuit sounds very odd. Not sure how that would work? Assume you have an old system which heats the rad system and the hot water is heated in the tank using heat from rad system+element?

Snetty · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 12:21 pm Post Subject:

Actually it's the other way around, the boiler heats the water in the hot water tank, which then heats the rad system.

Quote:

the bit where you mentioned some radiators are on the hotwater circuit sounds very odd

Yeah, I know why it's been done though, the 2 rads that aren't on the rad circuit are very close to the boiler, simple lazyness on the house builders part.

I've decided that I'm out of my depth now though, so will be calling in a plumber on monday, even if it's just to advise me.

goooba769 · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 1:25 pm Post Subject:

Snetty that seems like an odd system never seen one which heats the water which in turn heats the rad system.
Its not like the one below in the link then?

http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/boilers.htm

Agile · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 3:57 pm Post Subject:

He may not know what its called but he has a thermal store!

Probably two pumps as well!

Tony