Brain Drained Central Heating Drain

[Codshead]

Hi All,

Let me tell you where I'm at: I hate DIY because I don't know what I'm doing and I don't have the right tools.

The missus made me try to fix a radiator in the kitchen, which was switched off all last winter because the valves were knackered. After trying for several hours to repair the valve in situ I decided the only way forward was to replace it and thus concluded that I needed to drain the system.

I was proper chuffed when I managed to drain all the radiators and replace the valve with minimal spillage, such that I was high fiving myself around the house singing "Simply the Best".

Then I tried to refill the system. Imagine my surprise to find the F&E tank still full (with the ball valve supported). So the F&E didn't drain but all the rads did? WTF?

Wish I hadn't bothered. Time to call the professionals methinks. D-I-Cry.

 

[ollski]

have you undone the gate valve feeding the system from the f&e tank?, has it siezed?, is it just airlocked? otherwise blocked feed

 

[mysteryman]

One of my customers years ago insisted that DIY meant "Don't Involve Yourself."

You could have a blocked cold feed pipe, in which case you won't be able to refill the system. Time for that professional...

 

[tincup]

Hi

The cold feed pipe be blocked. Run a strong magnet over the area where it joins the circuit. Does it drag on the pipework?
Back filling it with vent pipe could be an option.

HTH

 

[Codshead]

Thanks for your advice guys.

Yes I undid the gate valve from the f&e tank - it didn't feel seized. I've obviously bled all the rads, is there anywhere else I need to bleed to make sure there's no airlock?

Just read-up on blocked feed - sounds right. Certainly lots of black stuff came out of the system.

Borrowed a ladybird fridge magnet from my daughter and maybe felt some drag on the pipe but it could have been my imagination. She doesn't have any stronger magnets.

Cheers!

 

[rojaca]

tincup-can't see that happening mate lol.
as other posters have said-you may be lucky and it's just airlocked-but probably more likely to be blocked cold feed. Don't feel too bad-airlocks and blockages happen to the best of us. May be time for a different tune though... "There maybe trouble ahead?" "Money talks"...

 

[Axel]

Fit a bypass cold feed

 

[ollski]

If you're bleeding air from the system at a decent pressure then your cold feed won't be blocked, need to find the bleed point on the pipework somewhere near the valve / pump probably.