Safety lockout.........part 2

[Penster]

Its me again (for those of you that remember me). I didn't think i'd need your help again so soon but I do

well, the boiler has locked out again. It happened last night and once again I rung British Gas and was told an engineer wouldn't be round until Friday Stupid me but I thought I was paying for an emergancy service. Whats the point in me paying for this service agreement when it would be quicker to get an engineer out of the yellow pages?

Anyway, enough ranting. The pressure is right down and I was told its a matter of finding the 'filling loop' (?), adjusting the pressure and everything would be ok. Problem is, I can't find the thing. I have looked everywhere. Is it possible that I don't have one? What can be done to re-pressurise the boiler if I don't have a loop?


Thanks for any advice

 

[weargas]

It is possible that you don't have a filling loop. It's also possible that it's built into the boiler. What model boiler do you have?

 

[Penster]

Its a Halstead Finest. The boiler cover has been removed before and there was no filling loop in view, unless its hidden somehow?

 

[dal5band]

Some of these boilers just have a valve with a lever instead of an actual piece of flexi loop. Look for some sort of tap lever - it should connect to the mains pipe on one side and into the boiler the other side. Don't forget to turn it off when the pressure is right. May be able to see it underneath, without taking the cover off.

If you are losing pressure within a week or two there must be an ongoing problem.

also :
http://www.halsteadboilers.co.uk/html/brochure.asp?cat=5

 

[Penster]

Thanks, I'll have a look when I get home tonight. I assume then that this is something I can easily do myself, i.e I'm not likely to break anything by doing this?

 

[Gasguru]

Filling loop is tucked up behind the pipe connections on the wall jig

 

[chrishutt]

Hi Penster. There's some general guidance on filling loops in our new FAQ topic. It will give you some idea of what you're looking for. Note the advice of Gasguru.

 

[fitz1]

its on boiler.if all else fails read manufacturers instructions.

 

[Penster]

ok, so I opened the panel bit of the boiler and saw the filling loop but couldn't find a tap or anything that resembled a tap/switch. I guess the other end of the loop goes up into the main body of the boiler, but its all encased and I'm a bit worried about opening it up as I don't know anything about boilers.

Will the tap\swtich be in the main body bit of the boiler? And do you think its safe enough for me to open up the encased bit to take a look?

Thanks
Penster

(I've bought myself an electric heater now so I don't have to spend another night shivering!)

 

[chrishutt]

Penster, you didn't follow my advice, did you? If you had you would know where the valves are and what they look like.

 

[Penster]

I couldn't find the FAQ at first, but now I have, I read it a few times, and still have no idea. My filling loop doesn't look like either of those pictures.

Yep, have just gone for another lookie at the loop and it definitely doesn't resemble either of the pictures. Its right at the back so can't see most of the loop but I've had a feel around and I can't find a tap. Its almost as if there are two parts to the loop and they're joined together by being screwed into something. Is this making any sense to any of you guys?

 

[joe-91]

well, the boiler has locked out again.

It'll be the flow switch, without a shadow of doubt.

 

[chrishutt]

It'll be the flow switch, without a shadow of doubt

Ah, joe-90 returns, 1 year older but none the wiser.

You realise you've revealed that joe-91 is an alias of someone who normally posts under another name (oilman???), unless you've been silently watching all these months, which isn't really your style (sadly).

My filling loop doesn't look like either of those pictures.

If you look at the link given above - http://www.halsteadboilers.co.uk/html/brochure.asp?cat=5 - on page 3 of the guide there is a picture of the filling loop which clearly shows where it should be in relation to the valves underneath on the Platinum model. Other models may be slightly different - if you email me (see my profile) I can send you details for the Finest and Finest gold. It's possible that one end of the filling loop might have been disconnected. You may need to open the valves at both ends to get it to work.

 

[Penster]

Thanks for the link Chris but it doesn't seem to want to load. Will try it again later.

It seems I've found the source of the problem though - the radiator in my bedroom seems to have leaked at both ends. Will this mean a new radiator or new joints? Or could it just be a case of tightening up the connections?

 

[ChrisR]

The link above didn't get me to the right place either.

Go to http://www.halsteadboilers.co.uk/

and dig under Discontinued models (GO, new box, find Finest...)for Finest Installation/servicing manual

Thought you might have your own copy by now though!!

Frame 19 on page 14 shows the filling loop and its connection, with the tap lever above XIN in "fiXINg"

Always possible the plastic tab is missing.

If the boiler ran out of water it might need resetting, reset button is under the boiler