Help please. Central heating system from Hell

[teessidemark1]

Over the years my Potterton Suprima Bolier hasn't been the best, It is 12 years old and has had several new parts.

Over the last 6 months the central heating has become practically non existant.

Only works upstairs cold downstairs

In October I had a NEW PCB fitted and pump fitted. Still doesn't work. He thought it was the cold inlet valve , blocked or no water in the tank in the loft. All working fine

have had 5 quotes , all ranging from blocked pipes under floor boards to new central heating system.

( he opened a valve in the airing cupboard and nothing came out)

I have had someone else over and they think its the 3way valve sticking and not diverting. ( not the actuator) He did temp repair but said it would costs a lot of money.

I just want some advice as when just want this finally sorted I know what I am talking about.

One wanted to cut the pipes in two to have a look.

After a few minutes the airing cupboard makes a right din. and goes away

When theres no demand for heat from bolier the pump is working and all the pipes seem hot around the pump.

I have rebalanced twice , once in September and that worked, and today it hasn't.

 

[kbdiy]

Sounds to me like the system is full of sludge and needs a good clean. You could try using some Sentinel X800. Run it for a few hours, maybe even a couple of days and flush out to clear all the gunk. Probably worth removing the rads and flushing with a hose as well. Then refill using a corrosion inhibitor.

 

[teessidemark1]

Forgot to add. In August. I drained down all the rads , by adding a hose pipe to the bottom rad in the kitchen and then , going in loft and tying up ballcock so it went empty

opened up all valves upstairs and water came out no sludge.

 

[teessidemark1]

thanks for the advice,

 

[Agile]

You seem to have been your own worst enemy by calling people to give you free diagnosis !

What competent engineer is going to give you a free diagnosis?

Some intentionally give you misleading info just to teach you!

The only proper way forward is to pay someone to diagnose the problem and then you can decide what to do and who to get to do it. But be sure to get someone who will guarantee their diagnosis.

 

[teessidemark1]

The heating engineer that replaced the PCB and pump were potterton on a no fix no fee basis. So I did get a free PCB and pump for nothing.

I rather pay for a quote and have the peace of mind. Two quotes within 24hrs , one said the boiler was kettling and that was why , the other charged me £20 for a quote saying it was the pump but couldn't say 100% if it would work

 

[teessidemark1]

I totally agree a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing.

 

[Agile]

If Potty do that then that's their own kettle of fish! They charge enough to cover their staff engineers senior moments ( which are rare I must say ) but normally will continue until they get it right.

Its very easy to remove a pump head and check the impeller and do the finger test. Even a simple DIY job, see FAQ.

That's all part of a proper ( paid for ) diagnosis!

But expecting a free diagnosis, you will not see any tools or test equipment and just get the sucking through their teeth ( which is all that will be free! ).

Tony

 

[teessidemark1]

It has been a steep learning curve...

So can a 3way valve stick , resulting in the rads upstairs hot and the downstairs cold?

 

[Agile]

Yes, and the actuators can fail too.

That's why a correct diagnosis is the first stage in any repair!

Tony

 

[teessidemark1]

Yes!! just finding one on Teesside that wants the job?

 

[doitall]

Sounds like an obvious system fault from here.

Have you got hot water.

 

[teessidemark1]

Yes , always hot

 

[doitall]

In that case I would look at the 3port valve but first check the TRVs are not stuck closed.

Take the heads off, does the pin move down and up about 2-4mm.

 

[teessidemark1]

Ive done the TRVs, sprayed them with WB40 also

they are fine. looks like it is the 3 way valve