Air. Turn off the hot ones and as the others heat up turn them off until you get the last one going, you can then turn them back on, let them get properly hot, before turning off.
I've not read this whole thread but try Tracking along as much of the pipe, as you can, with a magnet, if it sticks to the pipe there is magnetite in it which will reduce or stop circulation.
You should have put an air release on the pipe at the 3port valve. As it is the easiest way to bleed it is to loosen one of the compression joints, probably on the gate valve, and catch the water in a tub.