Magnaclean or Powerflush?

[thetinman]

There is no room between the motorised valve and pump, but there is a pipe coming off the motorised valve which is hot, which would have enough room. would that work?

 

[nickso]

yes your right, your not supposed to fit an isolation on the vent pipe. But nobody has suggested doing this so its irrelevant.

Where do you fit the magnaclean? on the CH vent pipe?

 

[tonybhoy]

There is no room between the motorised valve and pump, but there is a pipe coming off the motorised valve which is hot, which would have enough room. would that work?

Best to move the pump or MV to allow the magna clean to be installed between them.

 

[JohnD]

post some pics of your pipes so we can all have a look

 

[thetinman]

See what you think.

Untitled

• thetinman
• 12 Dec 2008
• 1

Untitled

• thetinman
• 12 Dec 2008
• 1

 

[mickyg]

yes your right, your not supposed to fit an isolation on the vent pipe. But nobody has suggested doing this so its irrelevant.

Where do you fit the magnaclean? on the CH vent pipe?

whoops silly me

apologies. must read more carefully X100

 

[JohnD]

what is the function of that pipe tee'd off between the pump and the 3-port valve?

 

[thetinman]

Don't know mate sorry i'm not in the 'know' about this stuff.

 

[tonybhoy]

By-pass.

 

[Softus]

we tried using X400 and left it in for about 3 months

At least 2 months too long.

What would be better given the circumstances, powerflush or a magnaclean?

Try a double dose of X400, AND a Magnaclean, for about a month. Then replace any radiators that are still completely crudded up. In most houses the total bill will still be less than a powerflush.

you cannot have isolation valves on a vent pipe.

Although nobody would want to put a valve on the vent pipe, it's wrong to say "you cannot".

fitting it on the return is fine.

Wrong advice again. Fitting on the return is recommended.

it is illegal on the vent pipe

No it isn't.

where would the expansion of water travel whn the heating gets hot?

Up the expansion pipe.

 

[thetinman]

Due to the amount of rads i used a double dose of X400, and if i did change a rad wouldn't it be in the pipes still?

 

[gavinda]

yep. needs a proper flush.

 

[thetinman]

DIY powerflush it is then. Any tips anyone got when doing it?

 

[JohnD]

yep. try the X400 and Magnaclean for 4 weeks first. If that solves your problems you don't need a powerflush. If it doesn't you have just spent £15 on X400 and used a few hours of your time.

p.s. the mistake you made last time was leaving the X400 in too long. It loses its effectiveness so the sludge settles again. You should have drained it all out after 4 weeks when the sludge was loosened and washing round like dirt in a washing machine.

 

[gavinda]

cut out and replace the open vent section, clean out the header, fit magnaclean before powerflush and do each rad individually.

good luck