Heating only working when water is on? DIY, or not?

[DiyNoob21]

Hi all, hoping someone can help here.

Recently moved into a house with an old-looking Baxi system boiler and a Honeywell Thermostat. I had no issues for our first month or so here, but the other day I noticed that despite putting the heating on via the thermostat the boiler didn't kick in.

Eventually discovered that I can still get heating, but only if i'm heating the water tank at the same time. The thermostat still lights up on the heating side to say it is on, but the boiler doesn't get involved unless the water is on too.

I'm wondering if anyone knows what this is likely to be? And if so, if it is something that a relatively novice diyer could manage with a few trips to screwfix, or if I'm just better off calling someone out?

Thanks in advance,

 

[muggles]

Can you take a photo of the pipework in your airing cupboard

 

[ianmcd]

you will have to give us more information than that as @muggles says post pics of everything

 

[DiyNoob21]

Images attached of airing cupboard, and where the pipes feed into the boiler.

Perhaps dense of me, but as it was working fine, I assume its not a 'it wasn't put in right' issue, so much as something internal has gone wrong, possibly where the thermostat talks to the boiler?

Thanks both for prompt replies.

 

[sxturbo]

the motor on the 3 way valve (might be a microswitch in the unit) has failed. and is stuck in the mid position.

you might get away with just replacing the motor,

if you remove the motor you will be able to move the valve manually, if it is very stiff then you will likely need a new motor and valve assembly

 

[muggles]

This head needs replacing. It's got a quick release tab on the side. Buy another Drayton 3 port head to replace it

 

[DiyNoob21]

Amazing, thanks both for the advice and very prompt replies. I'll get on and order one.

 

[Terrywookfit]

Neat wiring !!

 

[DiyNoob21]

So, I've popped the actuator off and I can move the pin with my fingers but it only travels a tiny bit, millimeters really. I've put the actuator back on and when I switch the water and heat on (or off) the head rotates. Does this still suggest it is the head, or the valve itself that's gone?

 

[terryplumb]

The head rotates ???

 

[DiyNoob21]

It does, possibly because I've put it back on wrong? Or does that suggest the valve is so tight its trying to move that and just moving itself instead. Tried to add a video showing this but files too large.

 

[terryplumb]

That white actuator head should not rotate ,it should be in a fixed position !! You must not have fitted it correctly onto the brass body. The shaft in the brass body should turn more than a little .sounds like it may be seized up.

 

[ianmcd]

you havent put the actuator on correctly, take it back off and fire the heating and hw, then manually move the vave spindle one way the the other and feel the outlet pipes and see if the water is diverting

 

[terryplumb]

Have you re fitted it ?