Glow Worm Economy Plus Problem

[Aztec]

Hi

Was woken up the other day by a large banging sound and found out it was coming from the boiler in the kitchen. The unit ignites but then a loud banging sound happens after about 20 secs and the unit goes back to the blue pilot light.

The boiler was working OK in the winter then in April the heating went off but the boiler was still running for hot water.

Unit is around 12 years old.

Please advise.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Sounds like the pump. give it a check - check the roatars are spinning (access cap on the front) and that it has 240v.

 

[gas4you]

banging is nearly always lack of circulation (or water) through the boiler.

 

[Soggy_weetabix]

Can you decipher if the pump has power, and if so....FAQ may help you change it.

Have you bled rads or removed one recently and refilled it?

David

 

[Aztec]

The pump seems like it's made by Gold and is warm so it looks like there is power to the unit.

Bled the rads about 2 weeks ago but have not replaced a rad.

Nothing seems to be turning on the front of the pump.

Thanks

 

[gas4you]

Sounds like an old pump then. Pumps get hot even when they have had it. Remove the big screw in the middle and see if you can turn the rotor with a flat bladed screwdriver.

 

[Bettergas]

I haven't seen anyone ask if you have your property in a hard water area.
When you have a boiler in a hard water area, that is as old as yours, its heat exchanger can become clogged with hard water deposits rather like a well used kettle 'furrs up'.
If your pump is working, you should feel it start running when the central heating is turned on. Assuming it is.

Firstly, ascertain that your header tank, the small tank in the loft, is actually feeding your central heating system and that its 15mm pipe has not become totally blocked. Try opening a drain valve on your radiator without turning the water supply off to your header tank. If the pipe is clear you will hear the tank start to fill as you empty your radiator.

Secondly, if the the pipe is clear try adding a de-scaling agent to the central heating system via the header tank. Empty the central heating system via a radiator, remembering to shut off the water supply to the tank, then shut off the drain valve on the radiator. Add the treatment to the tank and allow to fill. When full start opening the radiators air bleed valves, upstairs last.

Follow the treatments instructions regarding the time allowed to clean the system. Then flush the system out and refill adding an inhibitor to the system.

 

[Agile]

That was nearly four weeks ago!

I expect its sorted out by now!

 

[Bettergas]

yep, it is a long time ago but it may help someone else who has a similar problem!!