Is this the answer - finally

[moosehead]

First of all thanks for previous advice given, by reading this and other posts I tihnk I am nearing the end of our problem. We have an air issue. Fully pumped system, Spurima 80 Boiler. Air collecting in bathroom rad , nearest pump. We have one very sluggish rad in a bedroom (may be an indicator of sludge on that pipe return but will not investigate now).
I read somehwere on this forum that pump should be after cold feed and vent (is that right). I noticed on our system the pump is sited between the cold feed tee and three port valve. Furthermore there is no vent in the loft instead we have a short piece of pipe off the top HW circuit pipe, say 12-18" with what I understand to be an AAV on top. Not sure if AAV operative as both side hex nut and knurled top bolt (both plastic) are hard screwed in. Is this a good design, could it be the source of our air problem? We will have the sluggish rad investigated in spring when weather warms, but I suppose if there is sludge in there causing an airlock or other corrosion this may be drip feeding our air problem.

Does anyone have any advice or comments?

Tks in advance

 

[scatmanjohn]

Hi.. sounds like you have a combined feed and vent (one pipe feeds the system and takes up any expansion).
The AAV sounds like it has been closed off for some reason (possible leaking)
Try opening the side plastic "nut" to see if any water comes out. If not then it is possible that it is operational.
If water comes out you need to replace it.

Try to provide a better description of where the AAV is sited in relation to the pump.

 

[moosehead]

Thanks SMJ,

I have asked admin to post an image on this reply.

Hope it is clear. I think I do have a combined feed and vent.

Tks

 

[JohnD]

the "air" may be gas formed by the corrosion of the steel and copper parts of the system. this is likely if there is no corrosion inhibitor in it, which will also lead to black sludge. If you bleed a bit of water out of a rad, what colour is it?

 

[moosehead]

Tks John,

The colour of the water is very, very pale yellow/orange, almost the colour of the inhibitor [Everad]. I don't thnik admin has posted the diagram of the system and I'm now not sure nhow I can get it on the forum, but the AAV is after the 3 port on the branch to the emersion flow.

rgds
Moosehead

 

[slippyr4]

sign up for a free photo hosting server at http://www.flickr.com/

When you upload the image to flickr, they'll give you a url to view it at. Post that URL here. If you're feeling cunning, put it between the [ IMG ] tags (by using the Img button on the post reply page).

 

[oilman]

Tks John,

The colour of the water is very, very pale yellow/orange, ..............

Have you had a plumber working on the tank in the loft?

 

[slippyr4]

Have you had a plumber working on the tank in the loft?

PMSL

 

[moosehead]

Hopefully this works
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24808122@N00/?saved=1

 

[moosehead]

To Oilman - I assume you mean expansion tank - no work on that,.
Slippy what is PMSL please.

Tks

 

[moosehead]

****ing myself laughing by any chance - no-one has ****ed in the expansion tank!!!!

 

[slippyr4]

p******g myself laughing by any chance - no-one has p****d in the expansion tank!!!!

it's a long running joke, since "Rogue Traders" had a dodgy plumber who they caught taking a leak (rather than fixing one) <--- Bad pun alert.

 

[moosehead]

No worries - a little humour never goes amiss. Just disappointed it took me five mins to work out!

Any ideas from the image?

Rgds

 

[slippyr4]

your diagram is exactly what mr scatmanjohn talked about.

Try his suggestion of opening the AAV. What make of AAV is it? or can't you tell?

 

[moosehead]

Opened top plug - no air

Opened side hex plug - water only leaking out. Now not able to stop it.

Bolt also looks split . I'll have to replace. Only two years old shouldn't have gone that quickly surely, especially if 'unused'.

No name just 10 bar - 110c - presume pressure and temp tolerance.

Is there a good make to replace it with? I've seen ones with red and black screws on top are they better.

Do you think that could be our air problem cause or is it just too simple?

Finally from the diagram is that a good design/what you might expect to see/ Not sure about this dual vent and expansion jobby, but then again I'm no plumber!

Tks