Fair comment. I love to see the old boilers, I repair them and new. Simple designs. However, there comes a point. Do you drive a 25 year old car? Personally I'd tell you to have new but with a heavy heart to see it go.
Although it's a tank of a boiler well made, 25 years is pushing it, I wouldn't be flushing it. Add silencer. But and it is a but, think about changing it completely.
Partially blocked cold feed. Are the open vent and cold feed fitted after the pump? What speed is the pump on? Yes you can try to see if the vent is sucking in by having the system on and using a cup full of water around the vent. You could have a small leak somewhere sucking air in.
Brian, if that's your real name. You have no idea how a simple 3 port actuator works. You do know these have a little circuit board built in that the motor connects to? Of course you do. Just replace it.
You have 2 valves, correct? 1 for heating and 1 for hot water? Or 2 for heating and 1 for hot water? Or just 2 for heating, Multi zone. Is it a combi? If it is, you will need 2 single channel receivers and a stat, and yes link the live to common.
Is it BG enabled? The HUB ID is unique to the setup. Where did you buy it from? If you want to use the remote functions it may not work, it will be stand alone only.