sludged system

[ramblingman]

Have a sludged system rads barely warm same with hot water.was told it needs a power flush the last guy said that's what it needed.i immediately thought cop out so said I'd have a look to see if I could just chemical flush it instead.went back next day and downstairs rads where getting nothing at all. Turned off upstairs rads and the hot water,downstairs rads come on red hot got it all running added chemical all rads where going nice I turned on hot water which seemed to be going through the 3 port ok so leff it.
Got phone call today heating is ok not great water is just as bad.
I did take head off 3port and it wasn't jammed but the motor kept clicking out and stopping.
I know the pump is weak but it works fine on heating just seems when on heating and hot water it is not fully circulating which makes me think 3port valve could be faulty.any suggestions of what to look for or test would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[GavThePlumber]

Phone another plumber?

 

[Schvink]

Sounds like circulation issue.
Are any of the rads hot at top cold at bottom? If so powerflush maybe a stronger suggestion
Are all the locksheild valves wound all the way to the open position? If so try closing the ones nearer to the boiler fully then try 1/4 turn back per rad to try and balance the system out.
Has the pump got a variable speed setting? If yes then turn to highest setting.
Is there an auto bypass on the system? In boiler or externally on pipework, check that is set correctly.
Can you alter the flow of water through the HW coil?
What boiler is it? Is it range rated?
Is the pump slightly air locked?
Thats where I'd be starting to look for this prob. Hope thats any use to you. Cheers

 

[ramblingman]

Phone another plumber?

Don't give up the what?yeah day job... plumbing. Im a gas installer thats trying to help a mate out you sarcastic ....nothing intelligent to say?that's possibly why your just a plumber
Thanks schvink all rads balanced,pump was on 2 when I got there put it up to 3,its a 2 year old ecotec .no airlock in the pump I took front bit off no water and I stopped it pretty easily with pressure.
No bypass on pipework possibly in boiler though, coil flow altering I wouldn't have a clue but I'll google it and hope gav didn't answer.
Only other thing is in header tank was thick sludge so im assuming at some point must have been coming through open vent (correct me if im wrong gav)and it has an air separator which I can be prone to blocking (again if im not spot on with details gav fill me in oh oracle of water and s...) probably going to hire power flush machine and replace pump.
Appreciate your help and I have nothing against plumber's just gav so please don't take offence unless you are gav.

 

[Schvink]

Phone another plumber?

Don't give up the what?yeah day job... plumbing. Im a gas installer thats trying to help a mate out you sarcastic ....nothing intelligent to say?that's possibly why your just a plumber
Thanks schvink all rads balanced,pump was on 2 when I got there put it up to 3,its a 2 year old ecotec .no airlock in the pump I took front bit off no water and I stopped it pretty easily with pressure.
No bypass on pipework possibly in boiler though, coil flow altering I wouldn't have a clue but I'll google it and hope gav didn't answer.
Only other thing is in header tank was thick sludge so im assuming at some point must have been coming through open vent (correct me if im wrong gav)and it has an air separator which I can be prone to blocking (again if im not spot on with details gav fill me in oh oracle of water and s...) probably going to hire power flush machine and replace pump.
Appreciate your help and I have nothing against plumber's just gav so please don't take offence unless you are gav.

Ha ha ha nice one mate. Let us know how you get on!

 

[Armo74]

I would take off 1 or 2 rads drain them and see what the waters like that comes out.
If sludged up take off rest and flush them out,clean out f&e tank and add chemical either x400 or x800.
Is the return out the cylinder coil getting hot?
Is there a gate valve on the coil return?

 

[HERTS P&D]

As above, but also fit a magnetic filter.

Andy

 

[ramblingman]

Yes the return was getting hot from cylinder don't think it had a gate valve.
Magna clean is good idea should have been one put in with the boiler.
There goes my Saturday!Thanks for all the help and suggestions will let you know how it goes.

 

[GavThePlumber]

Im a gas installer......that's possibly why your just a plumber..

Ding ding ding Course Cowboy.

Can spot them a mile off

 

[bazdaman]

I dont thin there is any need to slate Gav my first thoughs were to call another plumber

 

[Happyplumber]

Hahahahahaha .................................... Fix customers heating systems ,charge them for the privilege


Via DIYNOT what a wonderful site this is,might be an idea to get a tablet with Wifi,ask for assistance whilst on site


I totally agree with Baz

 

[GavThePlumber]

I just don't understand how these course cowboys make any money, they are banned from nearly all large sites as they are not fully qualified plumbers, none seem to know how to use benders or do basic soldering, thus not able to do an install to MIs, none of them know anything about system control wiring or even how they fundamentally work , as evidenced by this thread.

Who the funk is giving these dangerous morons money?

 

[JBPHS]

The only reason I have a blow lamp is to warm up my pies.

James

 

[GavThePlumber]

Location: Yorkshire

It's not a brass/copper Primus is it? You want to weigh that baby in

 

[JBPHS]

Location: Yorkshire

It's not a brass/copper Primus is it? You want to weigh that baby in

Weigh it in and spend ~£60 on a super fire 2, sounds like bad business sense to me!

James