HELP - VERY VERY OLD VULCAN BOILER!!!

[Screwed]

Hi,

We moved into our new house yesterday, all went/is well apart from the boiler. I have managed to light it and get heat to the rads but cannot work out how to get the hot water running. There is a cylinder tank with what looks like newly replaced pipes to it so I guess it was running before we moved in. This isn't just an immersion as there is no switch or thermostat on the tank.

Anyone ever seen one of these boilers before and offer any tips on how I can get the hot water running. This has to be the oldest boiler I've ever seen, 50 + years old.

Many thanks,

Mike.

 

[giblets]

I hope you got a good discount on the purchase price of your house as you will need a new boiler very soon.

Also, get it checked over quick by a CORGI as they have a very nasty habit of leaking fumes from the various (asbestos) seals and gas from the gas valve. Suggest an electronic CO detector in the meantime.

Have you checked that there is power available and it is switched on?

The only thing these boilers have in their favour is that they were built like battleships.

 

[Screwed]

Hi,
Yes we're under no illusions as to what we need doing, plumbing and electrics are top of the very long list........ I will have it checked asap but moving in just before Easter has it's +'s and -'s, ie: no-one is willing to come out!!!

We're going to get a new Worcester asap anyway it's just a case of getting the hot water going in the mean time. I'm sure the power is on as the heating is working or am I wrong? There is even an asbestos flue!!!

It really is a bit of an ancient boiler, we have found the old manual, got a picture os a 50's woman leaning over the boiler in the back garden for some reason!!!??? Nothing in it to help with the water problem though!!!

Thanks,

Mike.

 

[giblets]

Have you checked to see if there is any water in the small heating feed tank in the roof space?

 

[Agile]

The boiler is fine if its heating the rads.

You need to be looking at a motorised valve or a jammed non return valve on a gravity hot water.

You might have an immersion heater for temporary hot water?

Tony Glazier

 

[doitall]

Also, get it checked over quick by a CORGI as they have a very nasty habit of leaking fumes from the various (asbestos) seals and gas from the gas valve. Suggest an electronic CO detector in the meantime.

Have you checked that there is power available and it is switched on?

The only thing these boilers have in their favour is that they were built like battleships.

Is this the forum stance.

Scare tactics

There will not be a non return vlve on the primary circuit.

Check the header tank has water in it.

Then program the boiler for hot water only and trace how far the heat travels up the pipe

 

[giblets]

Is this the forum stance.

Scare tactics

Not at all DIY. Having come across many of the particular boilers in question with exactly the problems I outlined (which you obviously haven't) I was only trying to advise the o/p accordingly. I fail to see how offering safety advice can be classed as scare tactics.

BTW might be worth reading ALL the posts in future then you will see that the point of the feed tank has already been raised.

 

[Livesgas]

Do you mean hot water running from the tap or just no hot water in the cylinder? Its prob airlocked. Especially if its all been drained over winter to prevent freezing.

 

[doitall]

Is this the forum stance.

Scare tactics

Not at all DIY. Having come across many of the particular boilers in question with exactly the problems I outlined (which you obviously haven't) I was only trying to advise the o/p accordingly. I fail to see how offering safety advice can be classed as scare tactics.

BTW might be worth reading ALL the posts in future then you will see that the point of the feed tank has already been raised.

Also, get it checked over quick by a CORGI as they have a very nasty habit of leaking fumes from the various (asbestos) seals and gas from the gas valve. Suggest an electronic CO detector in the meantime.

That is scare tactics as used by BG

Asbestos seals, are not going to kill anyone unless he strips the boiler down to have a look inside.

Gas from the gas valve, whats that bit about.

Asbestos flues, are asbestos cement and nearly alway safe after testing.

WHat advice have you given to the OP's question, Allow me to remind you None all you have tried to do with your post todate is scare tactics.

What I did for a living may surprise you. but I can assure you not all DIYers are stupid

 

[giblets]

Gas from the gas valve, whats that bit about.

That comment only confirms that you have had no experience of these boilers so therefore are not really qualified to pass judgement on someone who has.

WHat advice have you given to the OP's question, Allow me to remind you None all you have tried to do with your post todate is scare tactics

As I said before - read all the posts in the thread before you make statements like that - the 4th one down I think should suffice

 

[doitall]

Gas from the gas valve, whats that bit about.

That comment only confirms that you have had no experience of these boilers so therefore are not really qualified to pass judgement on someone who has.

Gas from gas valve.

Are you suggesting he has a leak because I can't see it. or are you saying its a common fault, or BG scare tactics

 

[kevplumb]

down boy

 

[giblets]

Are you suggesting he has a leak because I can't see it. or are you saying its a common fault, or BG scare tactics

Sorry DIA - I have just seen the error of my ways - my apologies - I should have said "gas leak from the gas valve".

'Tis a common age-related fault on the valve fitted to these boilers.

 

[doitall]

One should assume he would smell gas.

What makes you assume this Deadly appliance is even in the house.

Do you know what model it is, or are all Volcan's about to kill the occupants, blow up and wreck the street, and will the ones that got away die of asbestoses in 30 years time

 

[Doctor Drivel]

Is this the forum stance.

Scare tactics

Not at all DIY. Having come across many of the particular boilers in question with exactly the problems I outlined (which you obviously haven't) I was only trying to advise the o/p accordingly. I fail to see how offering safety advice can be classed as scare tactics.

BTW might be worth reading ALL the posts in future then you will see that the point of the feed tank has already been raised.

Also, get it checked over quick by a CORGI as they have a very nasty habit of leaking fumes from the various (asbestos) seals and gas from the gas valve. Suggest an electronic CO detector in the meantime.

That is scare tactics as used by BG

Asbestos seals, are not going to kill anyone unless he strips the boiler down to have a look inside.

Gas from the gas valve, whats that bit about.

Asbestos flues, are asbestos cement and nearly alway safe after testing.

WHat advice have you given to the OP's question, Allow me to remind you None all you have tried to do with your post todate is scare tactics.

What I did for a living may surprise you. but I can assure you not all DIYers are stupid

Exactly, and DIY gas work is legal.