Apologies in advance for very, very long message but figured you would need all the facts.
Original problem. Heating not coming on when called. Hot water coming on when called but some of the upstairs radiators coming on. Called engineer who said he fitted a new replacement powerhead. This appeared to solve the problem, I paid him and off he went. However the next day same problem as before. He came back, fiddled around a bit, said he wasn't sure exactly what problem was and was going to replace "powerhead and valve". I specifically asked him if this meant the brass T shaped piece of pipework below powerhead. He said no and implied it was not that but the powerhead with something else (but not the T shaped brassware) which would cost another £100. Left me confused as I thought you replaced either whole powerhead +/- valve below unless you replace one of the components like the motor or microswitch individually inside powerhead. Not sure he really changed powerhead as doesn't look new.
I took cover off powerhead and had a little investigate myself and this is what I have found:
When no power to valve: lever has resistance and springs back. Can't hear clunking gears.
When power to valve: lever loose.
When neither HW or CH calling valve is open.
When just hot water called: nothing moves and boiler and pump fire up.
When just CH called I can see motor turn valve towards microswitch but boiler and pump do not fire. If I then use my little finger to push microswitch the boiler and pump fire up.
I also took powerhead off completely to check valve - using my finger I can move spindle but not very far.
So my lay-person's conclusions:
Programmer to valve signalling working as motor does do something.
Electrics to microswitch working because when I manually close it circuit is completed.
Motor working to some degree because it does travel when CH firedValve seems okay as I can move spindle.
Questions:
1. Could it be that the motor not got enough oomph to turn all the way to close microswitch?
2. Could 1. be caused by a stiff valve. As I said it did move but I don't know how far it should move and how stiff it should be.
3. If it was 1. surely that would have been solved if he had replaced powerhead as he claimed he did.
Any help gratefully received. I am a single mum and don't mind paying for genuine work but just have a feeling I may being taken advantage of. Thanks, Diane
Original problem. Heating not coming on when called. Hot water coming on when called but some of the upstairs radiators coming on. Called engineer who said he fitted a new replacement powerhead. This appeared to solve the problem, I paid him and off he went. However the next day same problem as before. He came back, fiddled around a bit, said he wasn't sure exactly what problem was and was going to replace "powerhead and valve". I specifically asked him if this meant the brass T shaped piece of pipework below powerhead. He said no and implied it was not that but the powerhead with something else (but not the T shaped brassware) which would cost another £100. Left me confused as I thought you replaced either whole powerhead +/- valve below unless you replace one of the components like the motor or microswitch individually inside powerhead. Not sure he really changed powerhead as doesn't look new.
I took cover off powerhead and had a little investigate myself and this is what I have found:
When no power to valve: lever has resistance and springs back. Can't hear clunking gears.
When power to valve: lever loose.
When neither HW or CH calling valve is open.
When just hot water called: nothing moves and boiler and pump fire up.
When just CH called I can see motor turn valve towards microswitch but boiler and pump do not fire. If I then use my little finger to push microswitch the boiler and pump fire up.
I also took powerhead off completely to check valve - using my finger I can move spindle but not very far.
So my lay-person's conclusions:
Programmer to valve signalling working as motor does do something.
Electrics to microswitch working because when I manually close it circuit is completed.
Motor working to some degree because it does travel when CH firedValve seems okay as I can move spindle.
Questions:
1. Could it be that the motor not got enough oomph to turn all the way to close microswitch?
2. Could 1. be caused by a stiff valve. As I said it did move but I don't know how far it should move and how stiff it should be.
3. If it was 1. surely that would have been solved if he had replaced powerhead as he claimed he did.
Any help gratefully received. I am a single mum and don't mind paying for genuine work but just have a feeling I may being taken advantage of. Thanks, Diane