Noise and 0 pressure reading on Worcester 230 Combi boiler

[VP]

Hi!

I'm new to this forum & pretty ignorant about central heating systems! But I hope someone can help me Have given as much detail as possible - sorry for length of post!

I have just spent some time looking through informaton on the web and previous postings on this forum - there have been similar postings but I am still not clear on my options

Just recently (since yesterday) my boiler started making moderately loud noise constantly whenever it was switched on (not just when it was ignited) - the only way to stop it was to switch it off at the mains. The noise seems like normal water flowing through pipes except much louder and rattling than usual.

The boiler appears to be working fine - the hot water and central heating are still working fine. (I live in 2nd floor flat and have radiators in all 6 rooms if that's relevant!)

I noticed that the boiler pressure guage said 0-0.1 when it was making the noise. What should the presssure be? Some people here have noted they increased their pressure but I don't even know how to do this!

Miraculously just now in the last hour the noise appeared to stop and the pressure has gone up to around 0.5 - these both happened of its own accord without me changing anything!

My questions are : What SHOULD the boiler pressure be and how do I increase it again if necessary? What's decreasing the pressure in first place? What's causing the noise and is it related to pressure? Do I need to call out a heating engineer to fix the boiler, or can I leave it now it seems OK?

Thanks so much in advance! Sorry for complete ignorance VP

 

[kevplumb]

try here

4th post down

 

[billplumb]

hello vp give me the name of the boiler and the controls around it to give u a diagnosis of your system and maybe i could help u

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

u need to open the filling loop valve to increse pressure

MOD 2

use the edit key

 

[VP]

Hi thx for your replies!

My system is Worcester Bosch 230 Combi boiler

I had a look at the "ReFilling a sealed system" section and this appears to be what I need to do.

But I'm actually still not sure exactly which valves I need to open. I have found the silver filling loop under the boiler - at one end I have a Black plastic key next to a valve, at the other end I have a silver section with 2 bumps and next to this a valve. Which side should I open? Sorry for basic question!

 

[kevplumb]

Which side should I open and how?

both or the water can't get in

 

[VP]

Haha OK (see i told you I was ignorant ) I'll try that - is clockwise or anticlockwise?

 

[kevplumb]

if its a valve clockwise its usually a 1/4 turn valve

 

[VP]

Hmm one of them works but the ther one is absolutely not budging a millimeter! I think I may need to get some tool of some kind - what do you think is there something I could buy to help me turn it?

So basically once I get something - turn both valves 1/4 round for about 20 seconds or so until guage says around 1-1.5, then close them both, and I should be good??

 

[kevplumb]

if the other one is hexagonal leave it alone its a test point

 

[VP]

Right I managed to get the pressure valve working and increased pressure to 1.25 and closed it again.

But although yesterday I had hot water and heating, I switched it off overnight and nowthe boiler does not appear to be working - although it appears to be coming on when I switch it on, there is no hot water or heating? An it stillmakes the noise?

HELP!!

 

[kevplumb]

ok what happens when you switch it on

 

[VP]

It makes a noise and the initial "lighting up" sound comes on but then it never seems to ignite fully - I'm guessing but that's what it sounds like. If I leave it on it carries opn making this whirring sound but not the proper "on" sound.

Even if I left it on like this for over an hour, radiators and water stone cold. I worried I shouldn't be leaving it on so swicthed it off at mains. I guess it's time to call out a heating engineer? Noone seemed to be avilable sunday (even those 24 help lines!) so will try again tomorrow

 

[kevplumb]

check the pump is running if its been dry it might be stuck