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- 27 Oct 2020
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Hi, I had a problem with my Drayton 3 Port valve not working - it turned out that the two plastic tags which hold the springs in place had snapped off. I thought I would upload some photos of how I fixed this without having to buy a new valve, just using two bolts.
(To remove the valve from the pin it sits on, on the pipes, you have to push a black plastic button that is on the other side, near the wall in this photo, then lift off the valve. Make sure you have turned off the electricity first! You may be able to repair it without disconnecting the electric cable, I found it easier to disconnect the cable so I could take it to a desk and work on it, rather than hunching over it in the airing cupboard!)
These are the two plastic tags that had broken off, and the two springs that were attached to them:
First I had to remove the motor and the metal plate it sits on, they just unscrew - I have put photos of them being put back on, at the bottom of this post, in case that helps.
Here is the top left place where one of the plastic tags had snapped off.
Here is the bottom right place where the other plastic tag had snapped off.
I used two bolts to replace the plastic tags - I had to cut a slit into each bolt, to fit the round end of the spring into - I just held the bolt with pliers and used a hacksaw.
I used a socket set and pliers to screw the nuts and bolts together.
I then had to replace the plate that was under the motor (in my case I found that the motor had also failed, and I bought a new one for about £15 from Toolstation)
I used Blu Tac to hold the long screws onto the screwdriver, because you have to reach in a long way when screwing the motor screws in.
This photo shows the plastic catch on the bottom of the valve - you have to push the black button in when removing it, this pushes the catch away from the metal pin that the valve is mounted on, and you can lift it off.
(To remove the valve from the pin it sits on, on the pipes, you have to push a black plastic button that is on the other side, near the wall in this photo, then lift off the valve. Make sure you have turned off the electricity first! You may be able to repair it without disconnecting the electric cable, I found it easier to disconnect the cable so I could take it to a desk and work on it, rather than hunching over it in the airing cupboard!)
These are the two plastic tags that had broken off, and the two springs that were attached to them:
First I had to remove the motor and the metal plate it sits on, they just unscrew - I have put photos of them being put back on, at the bottom of this post, in case that helps.
Here is the top left place where one of the plastic tags had snapped off.
Here is the bottom right place where the other plastic tag had snapped off.
I used two bolts to replace the plastic tags - I had to cut a slit into each bolt, to fit the round end of the spring into - I just held the bolt with pliers and used a hacksaw.
I used a socket set and pliers to screw the nuts and bolts together.
I then had to replace the plate that was under the motor (in my case I found that the motor had also failed, and I bought a new one for about £15 from Toolstation)
I used Blu Tac to hold the long screws onto the screwdriver, because you have to reach in a long way when screwing the motor screws in.
This photo shows the plastic catch on the bottom of the valve - you have to push the black button in when removing it, this pushes the catch away from the metal pin that the valve is mounted on, and you can lift it off.
Last edited:
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