Boiler has trapped air? after adding 4 radiators. help pls!

[thebeetleuk]

Hi All,

Looking for some help. I have an old stelrad Ideal e-type boiler (30 years) and all was working fine. I then decided to add 4 radiators to the system. Drained the system, added the radiators, filled the system again after unblocking the expansion tank (think this was an air lock) but now I have another probelm.

When I turn on the heating I can hear the boiler making noises as if its filling with water or gurgling. The boiler sometimes starts up and I think begins to heat the water but then turns off after about 1 min.

im thinking I have some ait trapped in the boiler but I've no idea how I can remove it. p.s. Its an open vented system and the radiators have been bled.

Any help would be great.

 

[seco services]

try bleeding the pump first.

 

[thebeetleuk]

So should following the instructions here...

//www.diynot.com/wiki/plumbing:faq:faq9

and i should be ok?

Thanks for getting back. I'll try that tonight and see how it goes

 

[thebeetleuk]

ok tried to bleed the pump and all look sok. Took the skrew out the middle and a little water came out.

Put the boiler back on and it ran ok for about 2 min befor sutting off. Again I could hear noises from the boiler that sound like water gurgling.

Getting very cold now.

I was also confused by the bleed valve described in the FAQ in my last post. What should this look like?

Thanks.

 

[thebeetleuk]

still researching. Looks like someone has had the same problem as me.

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071009034410AABm2qG

I'm off the check the pump ain to see if its running.

//www.diynot.com/wiki/plumbing:faq:faq19

 

[seco services]

Put the boiler back on and it ran ok for about 2 min befor sutting off. Again I could hear noises from the boiler that sound like water gurgling.

bleed it again. turn the speed to max.

I was also confused by the bleed valve described in the FAQ in my last post. What should this look like?

Thanks.

maybe a thumb screw vent on a vertical pipe on the flow into the cylinder.

 

[thebeetleuk]

Right. The pump is working so no luck so far.

I have however noticed a "Port Zone Valve" (I think - http://www.heatandplumb.com/acatalo...rch&utm_medium=GoogleBase&utm_campaign=Feed1)

so I'm now thinking I need to drain the system again, set the zone valve to open instead of auto (which I assume is closed when the heating is off and is controlled by the thermostat on the wall?) Once I do that and fill the system again it might let the water flow through the boiler and release any trapped air.

Am I going in the right direction or am I just being a bit thick and should I give up!?

On with plan D me thinks....

 

[thebeetleuk]

Put the boiler back on and it ran ok for about 2 min befor sutting off. Again I could hear noises from the boiler that sound like water gurgling.

bleed it again. turn the speed to max.

I was also confused by the bleed valve described in the FAQ in my last post. What should this look like?

Thanks.

maybe a thumb screw vent on a vertical pipe on the flow into the cylinder.

Thanks for getting back. Just tried to bleed it again with the same result. Off to check the cylinder again now.

 

[thebeetleuk]

also tried to turn the pump up to the max with no luck. I cant see because of the angle but I assume the three settings are speed settings? its on the max now and I can feel the pump vibrating a little. Almost like a little hum.

 

[seco services]

yes any valves should be in manual open position when filling.

but i have even forgot myself before and all ways managed to shift the air providing the pumps not airlocked and pumping.

 

[seco services]

also tried to turn the pump up to the max with no luck. I cant see because of the angle but I assume the three settings are speed settings? its on the max now and I can feel the pump vibrating a little. Almost like a little hum.

yes thats the pump speed is both the pipes getting hot either side ?
put hw/heating on.

theres many ways of mucking about to free air depending on the system layout.
ie by stopping/starting the pump etc

 

[thebeetleuk]

the pipes only get slightly warm on both sides - its hard to tell - , and I mean slightly as the boiler isnt on long enough to heat them any further.

I thought I'd post some picks of the system to help. At leas I hope so. I still can't find the bleed valve on the cylinder tho. Check out the pics below.

 

[seco services]

wheres that pump ? in the loft etc.

don't look like you have a vent to the cylinder.
it's hard to work out the layout of your system from the pics.

is it a fully pumped system or gravity hw pumped heating ?

 

[wiss]

Is your cold feed clear?? have you vented all rads and bleed points?
Has the pic of your pump been turned or is that the orientation of the pump in your a/c

 

[thebeetleuk]

wheres that pump ? in the loft etc.

don't look like you have a vent to the cylinder.
it's hard to work out the layout of your system from the pics.

is it a fully pumped system or gravity hw pumped heating ?

not sure what fully pumped would be?

The pump itself is about 6 feet from the boiler and under the floor on the ground floor. The feeder tank is in the loft with 6 radiators on the ground floor and 4 new ones to replace the old single one on the first floor (attic is above this as in a terraced house).

I would love to explain the whole layout however I'm trying to get to grips with it myself! lol.