Heater tank expanding

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My overflow has been dripping out water when the heating us on. It's a duel system, oil burner plus multi fuel stove. I was wanting to know if I bend the ball cock in the tank so when the water expands, it isn't going to overflow. Or will this cause the system to have to much pressure in it as the expanding water needs somewhere to go?
 
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The expansion in your system is taken care of by the pipe that curves above the tank.....if that is running when the heating is on then it could be excess heat or maybe the pump speed being too high.
See if you can maintain around 4" of water in the header tank, and check the expansion pipe isn't passing water.
John :)
 
The expansion in your system is taken care of by the pipe that curves above the tank.....if that is running when the heating is on then it could be excess heat or maybe the pump speed being too high.
See if you can maintain around 4" of water in the header tank, and check the expansion pipe isn't passing water.
John :)


Just 4 inch in the tank, mines is near the top. How can I keep just 4 inch in it if the ball cock is connected to the top of the header tank.

There's nothing coming out if the expansion pipe that bends into the header tank. My pump is at its max thou.
 
Please show us a pic inside your header tank, clearly showing what sort of valve you have.

How deep is the mud in the bottom?
 
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Please show us a pic inside your header tank, clearly showing what sort of valve you have.

How deep is the mud in the bottom?


It's a ball valve, the large ball on the end. No sludge on bottom of the tank.
 
If the expansion pipe isnt passing any water, I’d say your system is working fine.
After all, a solid fuel boiler cant be regulated quickly and relies on heat dispersal quickly through the radiators - hence the pump speed is correct.
I find often enough the water level in the expansion tank is higher than expected, especially if it had been left for a while. Syphon the liquid out, maybe?
I’d reduce that water level to the 4” mark, and see that the ball valve can maintain it......type 1, bend the stem, type 2 adjust the ball float.
John :)
 
Dropped the water in the tank, will check later when fire roaring to see if it's expanding out of the bent pipe. Stuck my finger up it and it was damp/wet. I can extend it another 12-15 inch's higher. If it's expanding, will this help..



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looking at your ballcock, it does appear to be the type that can only be adjusted by bending the arm. Preferably take the arm off first to avoid other damage.

But I think your ballcock is dripping. This is one cause of overflow. Easiest thing is to buy a new one and swap it. You can fit a new washer and cone to your old one if you have nothing better to do with your time.

You need a part 2 valve which has the plastic bridge on the top. A brass one may fit onto your existing stem by undoing the big brass nut.

The Pegler one is very good, and you'll see it has a better method of adjustment.

517coxCQSSL._AC_SL1200_.jpg


It seems that Screwfix have discontinued them.
 
Unsupported inlet pipework is distorting the tank wall, and causing the ballcock to sit too high.
Fix the inlet pipework first.
May no be anything wrong with the ballcock.
 
Unsupported inlet pipework is distorting the tank wall, and causing the ballcock to sit too high.
Fix the inlet pipework first.
May no be anything wrong with the ballcock.



This is one thing I noticed when I went back up. I've reduced the water in tank and put a temporary piece of 6mm ply under the inlet on the outside so it doesn't drop down and lifts the ballcock.
 
looking at your ballcock, it does appear to be the type that can only be adjusted by bending the arm. Preferably take the arm off first to avoid other damage.

But I think your ballcock is dripping. This is one cause of overflow. Easiest thing is to buy a new one and swap it. You can fit a new washer and cone to your old one if you have nothing better to do with your time.

You need a part 2 valve which has the plastic bridge on the top. A brass one may fit onto your existing stem by undoing the big brass nut.

The Pegler one is very good, and you'll see it has a better method of adjustment.

517coxCQSSL._AC_SL1200_.jpg


It seems that Screwfix have discontinued them.



See above post.i was actually going to remove the arm bend it however I did what i mention above. It's not leaking, that's just a drip from me moving it about and filling back up abit.
 
What should I look out for for it being plumbed in wrong. Everything seems ok with rads all heating up when fire blazing. One thing I have noticed thou that the oil burner heats up also when the fire is lite plus when the oil is on, the stove would heat up. Is this normal or is there valves that can be installed to stop this.
 

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