No water from pump when bleeding?

[xMeta4x]

Hi All,

When I try to bleed my pump (running or not) I don't get a hiss of air, or a drip of water.

Any idea what's wrong and how to fix it?

Cheers,

Andy

 

[gigz]

Depending on the type of pump you have (large screw or plastic nut) turn it off, remove screw (or unwind nut) place a small screwdriver inside and turn the impellor (it could be seized).

 

[xMeta4x]

I have a big plastic nut. If I unscrew it, it just keeps turning. I don't want to pull it too hard incase it breaks the thing!

Edit - If I unscrew it and pull it out it will come a short way, then if I turn it, it feels as though it's turning "something" inside the pump - I can feels the resistance and carry-on.

 

[seco services]

yes that proves the pump is spinning freely

 

[xMeta4x]

So any ideas why I'm not getting any water out of it?

Cheers,

Andy

 

[seco services]

what is the main problem why you are bleeding the pump?

 

[xMeta4x]

You had to ask......!

The pump/boiler are making weird gurgling noises, thinking that there could be air in the pump I want to bleed it.

In addition, in case it makes a difference, I think I have a part-blocked cold feed. I get air/gas in my upstairs radiators and when I bleed them I get hissing but no water. If I keep bleeding them over the course of a few days I eventually get water. (I'll get the cold feed cut out and replaced when I can afford it).

Cheers,

Andy

 

[seco services]

sounds about right or your f/e is not refilling due to a faulty ball valve try sticking a mains fed hose down the feed pipe first that can free it or add a sludge remover to the system that 90% time shifts it.
but don't run the system half empty that will seize pump etc.
to fill the system back up if the feed is that blocked stick the hose in the vent pipe and back fill it.
that'll get the system filled and running so you can add a sludge remove and keep system running.

 

[xMeta4x]

The ball valve is fine (it's brand new). I tried sticking an air pump down the feed pipe to shift the blockage but didn't have any luck.

Will pouring sludge remover into the f/e tank shift it? That's something I've yet to try. Does the system need to be drained down afterwards?

I'm assuming the system is currently full as I can, eventually, get water from all radiators.

One other oddity of my system is that I don't seem to have a vent pipe. There's definitely nothing over the f/e tank. I guess the expanding water just goes back up the feed pipe.

The last time it was drained down to fit a zone valve I had to back fill it from the drain cock.

 

[seco services]

you need to get the chemical in the system as putting it in the f/e it will just sit there and not circulate.
is your feed pipe 22mm as it may be a combined feed/vent.

 

[xMeta4x]

It looks like 18mm to me (the smaller of the 2 diameters of pipe that I seem to have in the house).

Maybe some Mr. Muscle sink unblocker would do the job...

 

[seco services]

we don't use 18mm copper pipe

 

[xMeta4x]

Well the circumference of the pipe is around 55mm, which divided by pi means around 17-18mm in diameter.

The system was installed in the 70's by servowarm and apparently they did strange things!

 

[gigz]

If you can locate where that feed pipe joins the heating system (i.e. the tee) tap it lightly with hammer shaft. (sometimes works). Might be enough to get some sludge remover in. Tie ball valve up and drain down a bucket full of water and see if tank empties.

 

[gasandoilman]

or at the point described above see if a magnet sticks if so its blocked