Drayton mid position valve aggro

[staxuk]

Hi all
The time of the year to put the central heating on and for the third time in ten years the mid position valve has given up, it's a MA1/679-3
The actuator just clips off for maintenance but seems almost as much as the the entire thing to replace.
Any information or advice on whether this is a common fault and if there is anything I can do apart from shelling out every few years would be appreciated.
Cheers

 

[45yearsagasman]

Replace it with a Honeywell v4073a for a more reliable valve.

 

[seco services]

Any information or advice on whether this is a common fault and if there is anything I can do apart from shelling out every few years would be appreciated.
Cheers

You haven't told us what keeps failing and what part you have replaced.
I do prefer honeywell over drayton valves but you shouldn't need to keep changing them.

 

[staxuk]

Well thinking about it I must admit this is my fault as although I've bought the entire unit I have only replaced the actuator in the past.
Today I drained the system and took the old valve off and it was very hard to turn by hand unlike the new one I didn't use last time which I have now installed.
I guess that's why the motor packed up as the valve was getting seized up.
I'll just get a new actuator for it this time but maybe change over to the Honeywell next time.
Would it be similar dimensions for a straight swap or involve new pipe work?

 

[seco services]

If the motor is failing due to the stiffness of the valve and you have fitted the new valve change the failed motor instead of the complete actuator.

 

[staxuk]

Great, I've just had a quick look online and see you can buy the motors for about £15.
Thanks