Boiler Hot, Pilot On, Radiators Cold. Mystery Programmer... can anyone help

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Dear all,

I have just moved into a new (old) flat, with a pretty absent landlord. He did show me around the flat, but I get the impression he takes the 'patch it up' approach to repairs and he and the previous tenants have tolerated various glitches in the heating/hot water systems over the years. They both showed me the booster button on the programmer, which I was using happily for the first few days (the heating would come on for an hour, which was fine). However this no longer works, the radiators seem to stay cold no matter what I do. So I have set out to learn more about the whole system.

The problem started when my friend was trying to get the heating on without me realising and messed with the programmer. Several hours later, I realised everything was on, the whole system was noisy, everything was hot and there was steam coming off the top of the black tank (shown). In a panic, I turned off a switch in the airing cupboard next to the immersion switch (I now realise this powers the programmer/timer).

After some experimentation I turned this back on, but I cannot see the model of programmer (I think this was on the cover which has fallen off). So it is hard to figure out how to use it properly. I think I have tried every possible combination, but I don't really understand how it works. But surely the booster should override everything?

The boiler feels hot to touch. The pilot light is on. The thermostat is up (I've tried turning it down then up numerous times). I found what I believe to be the diverter valve (shown) and moved the lever on that across, to no avail. I don't know what the other red thing is next to that (everything I know about central heating, I learned on the internet over the last couple of days, so please forgive my ignorance!)

My instinct tells me that the problem is with the programmer, since the heating worked to some degree till my friend messed with that, so I feel it would help if I could identify it, and find the manual and thoroughly check whether it is working properly. I haven't tried turning the boiler on and off yet, haven't found the switch, and not sure where to look for the pressure but I don't think it's that as like I said the whole thing is very hot. If anyone could give me any advice or provide any insights at all about the central heating system I have here before I give in and call an expert I'd be extremely grateful! I forsee a long and tortuous relationship over the next couple of years!
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Sorry if this is a bit of a novice request for these forums, please send me elsewhere if know of a more appropriate place for my issue!
 
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Your boiler could be fitted with an optional overheat stat, there is a good chance it has tripped as you turned the power (and hence the pump) off, the programmer has hot water and heating switched on at the moment so its more probable a boiler problem, try turning the boiler stat down if you get it running but I think you might need a new boiler stat.
 
Thanks for this insight Picasso, seems to make a lot of sense. I will check it out
 
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Danfoss FP715 for the programmer.

the fourth photo indicates power (greenish light?) on circulator, is there another of the honeywell motorised valves?
 
Have had a look around and there doesn't seem to be another of those honeywell valves anywhere
 
Have had a look around and there doesn't seem to be another of those honeywell valves anywhere
 
Thanks for the tips so far, it's very good to know the make of programmer at last (been hunting online all day for that info). The whole system is still making a lot of noise, which seems curious...
 
Thanks for the tips so far, it's very good to know the make of programmer at last (been hunting online all day for that info)
 
Thanks for the tips so far, it's very good to know the make of programmer at last (been hunting online all day for that info)
 
is there another of the honeywell motorised valves?

The valve is a 3port isn't it? That join in the flex is terrible.

The whole system looks a bit patchy tbh. I get the general feeling the landlord isn't terribly keen to bust a lot of money on it... definitely some bad design features here. For eg, shower on/off switch seems to be hidden in the walls somewhere, if there is one that is!
 

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