Replaced Pump, now heating wont work at all! HELP! Its freez

[marshallward]

I have an open system with header tank. Had problem in that upstairs rads worked continuously but downstairs were cold.

I have replaced the pump, but had to drain down the whole system first to do it.

I refilled the system, bled the rads. I then turned the heating back on at the controller and increased the thermostat.

The pump started no problem. I turned down the thermostat to stop the pump. I then bled any air out of the pump (large screw head in middle of pump).

Started again and left running, but pump sounds noisier that I thought it would.

My problem is that the heating doesn’t work!

I have used a hose to jet water via the 22mm outlet at the bottom of the header tank to move any air locks but still nothing.

The only time I can get any heat (or the boiler to fire) is if I have the pump running as normal and connect a hose to the drain outlet on the downstairs rad I used to drain the system. I figured it may push the air out having both ends open. (I also did it to make room in the header tank to allow me to use the hose to jet water in as mentioned earlier)

Hope this made sense??? Totally at a loss as to what to try next. Got to be an air lock but how the bleep do I get rid of it?

Thanks in advance

p.s. I am not a plumber but can usually do most plumbing jobs if its explained in plain basic idiot guide English (don’t tend to know the technical names for bits, tools or techniques)

 

[Tibbot]

Did you remember to open the pump isolation valves? Other than that, your system is not properly filled and may have air trapped at high points which a hose won't cure.

 

[marshallward]

Thanx for the reply

It did cross my mind at the time, so I have checked and re checked and they are definately open. I can even hear the water rushing thru (I assume thats the sound) and of course when I try to bleed the pump its water that now comes out.

Any ideas how to move the air lock or what else do I need to do?

My wifes just come in and said the kids are complaining how cold it is upstairs

Would it do any good to drain the lot and start from scratch? (which would be a pain since I would have to buy more inhibitor etc)

 

[SpecialK]

When you shoot water down the header tank outlet does it come out the overflow into the header tank?

Did you manually open all electronic valves when draining / refilling.

Do you get water out when bleeding all rads?

Also with water coming out the pump it may mean only one valve is open? Could you check by removing the pump and running some water off...

 

[marshallward]

Thanks for your reply.

When you shoot water down the header tank outlet does it come out the overflow into the header tank?

Yes, I have held my hand over the return to try to force the water farther in to the system, but stil no joy.

Did you manually open all electronic valves when draining / refilling.

I think so, nt sure what is meant by "electronic valves" though sorry.

Do you get water out when bleeding all rads?

Yes, every one.

Could you check by removing the pump and running some water off

This sounds scary. If I take the pump out won't the water just flood the airing cupboard? Or am I not understanding what you mean?

 

[marshallward]

We actually have a HomeCare plan thru our home buildings & contents.

Sadly, when I first had the problem of downstairs rads not working and the pump being RED HOT, they weren't interested 'cos we had some heat & hot water.

Now we have no heat or hot water they have sent someone out.

Def an air lock. Finally got most cleared by removing heat cut off sensor from boiler and boiling or "kettling" the boiler. When hot water streamed out of the overflow in to the header tank he switched heating off (therefore boiler) and bled rads again.

Had to repeat a few times.

During the last attempt, his boss called him & asked to speak to me. The insurance company had called him for an update; they then told him to pull his man off the job immediately since I wasn't covered for an air lock!!!

He was very appologetic, but said he won't get paid from that point forward so had to comply with their request!

As luck would have it (for a change), as we were talking, there was a lot of rumbling and escaping air and the engineer said "I think i've cracked it".

Sure enough the boiler now stays lit and we have hot water and heat to all but 2 rads (both downstairs).

I've re-bled all rads but still nothing in those two. I will continue to run the system and try bleeding the rads periodically and hope it clears up soon.

I still can't beleive I pay for an emergency service who won't respond unless we have absolutely No Heat AND No hot water, and even then they won't get you up and working again if it something as simple as an air lock!!!

Steer clear of any homecare type insurance, especially if offered by ThePolicyShop (who are just brokers) since you are likely to end up with same cowboy provider that I've be lumbered with!

 

[SpecialK]

Can you work out where the airlock was? Are the air vents in the boiler working correctly? High spots in the system where air vents can be added?.

 

[marshallward]

I asked the engineer where he thought the air lock (main) had been, he said "your guess is as good as mine".

Basically, he had no idea, it was just a case of pushing the system to move it around to somewhere he could eventually release enough of it for the boiler not to spit its dummy out and cut off.

He eventually released the air from the isolator above the pump I think, thats where he was working whilst I was talking to his boss anyway.

He had already checked over the whole system and everything else seemed to be in order; he had even stripped the main parts of the boiler down and put that back together.

 

[Crezzer]

He deliberately overheated the boiler!!!

 

[Agile]

Unfortunately you and others expect that your "emergency" cover is a full maintenance and breakdown policy.

It is ONLY for dire emergencies and not for routine maintenance and repairs.

Tony

 

[UpgradeME]

Sure enough the boiler now stays lit and we have hot water and heat to all but 2 rads (both downstairs).

To get those heating up, you could try turning off all the working rads which forces the flow through the two non-working one's! - If sucessfull, you can then vent the trapped air via an airvent, pump and/or bleeding the rads.

 

[wotan]

silly question, have you installed the pump the correct way round?

Wotan

 

[gaswizzard]

He deliberately overheated the boiler!!!

Used to pull the boiler stat phial many a time to clear any stubborn air locks. , wouldn't call the guy a muppet.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Used to pull the boiler stat many a time to clear any stubborn air locks.

Glad it weren't just me then


now sssshhhh

 

[gaswizzard]

Those gravity circs could be a right PITA.