Tall rad not working (has never worked well), suspect lockshield valve?

[tuck1s]

See pics. This is in our daughter's house so the info I have is not complete. The previous rad was replaced during their kitchen refurb., approx 2 years ago The new vertical rad was supposed to be better than what was there before, but it isn't (currently) and has never worked properly.

The plumber had a look, tried but basically gave up. Subsequently another plumber, doing a different job for them, also got no improvement.

The TRV side of the pipework gets properly hot. The return (lockshield valve side) gets warm to the touch. However the entire rad is barely warm, indicating basically no flow.

The rad is full, a quick bleed showed no air at all.

The TRV is branded Danfoss. The pin moves smoothly and freely up and down.
The lockshield side is probably also the same brand. It uses a 6mm Allen.

EDIT: this valve with the 6mm allen is anticlockwise to close, clockwise to open, correct? (Opposite of a Drayton one with exposed flat pin?)
It looks similar to this https://www.heatandplumb.com/media/danfoss/datasheets/file-64017.pdf

 

[cross thread]

Anti clockwise to open, some vertical rads need a baffle fitting or are directional have you the make of the rad

 

[CountryFan]

Would be better if you could confirm flow and return by discharging into a suitable receptacle. Maybe check that it’s not been connected to both either flow and or return, I had this once, took me a good 10 minutes to realise that some clown had plumbed flow and flow (as return) on the same circuit.

 

[tuck1s]

Anti clockwise to open, some vertical rads need a baffle fitting or are directional have you the make of the rad

Thanks. Rad is Ximax Champion Duplex Vertical Designer Radiator, White (W)410mm (H)1800mm.

Weird that the Danfoss PDF I linked to shows an anticlockwise motion, diagram bottom of page 2. It's unclear which action it relates to.

 

[Madrab]

The new vertical rad was supposed to be better than what was there before

If the new one replaced anything but a similar designer vertical rad then it would never be better

The allan key lockshield is opened anticlockwise, as suggested, but looking at the pic it seems to be fully open anyway.

Also as suggested - wouldn't be surprised if it's has an internal baffle and it's been piped up back to front.

 

[gas112]

Have they tried the basics ie turn everything else off apart from this rad ?

 

[dilalio]

Ximax Champion

That well known Marque of Excellence! Lol

 

[tuck1s]

Have they tried the basics ie turn everything else off apart from this rad ?

Ouch. A good experiment for us to try.

I read somewhere that they have fine internal holes. I wonder if it's got clogged up during or after the installation. The installation instructions for similar models do not suggest there is any flow direction that needs to be honoured. However they are *very* specific about the need for flushing.

 

[dilalio]

However they are *very* specific about the need for flushing.

I've said this on here before...
They shift the onus of flushing onto the installer! Shifts the cost elsewhere, so they can sell them cheaper.

Not easy taking brand new rads outside to flush through with a hose, before fitting! Especially if you've 10 of them to do!

Some are absolutely full of rust on delivery!

 

[tuck1s]

I've said this on here before...
They shift the onus of flushing onto the installer! Shifts the cost elsewhere, so they can sell them cheaper.

Not easy taking brand new rads outside to flush through with a hose, before fitting! Especially if you've 10 of them to do!

Some are absolutely full of rust on delivery!

Also our daughter's place is built in 1995, smallish boiler for the size of the house, and NO MagnaClean or similar. Open vented system, likely to be full of old crap as well. Even if they don't change the boiler soon, I think they should get a MagnaClean fitted (not by me !!)

 

[dilalio]

Also our daughter's place is built in 1995, smallish boiler for the size of the house, and NO MagnaClean or similar. Open vented system, likely to be full of old crap as well. Even if they don't change the boiler soon, I think they should get a MagnaClean fitted (not by me !!)

Probably needs less than 18kw boiler!

 

[tuck1s]

Checked last night - and the rad is now getting warm - similar to the other ones in the house, after getting the lockshield open approx 1 turn. I think the whole system needs a powerflush and a magnaclean. The boiler is a Potterton, quite old now but still working. There's no kettling so that may be because it's not a modern one with very fine heat-exchanger.

 

[dilalio]

Checked last night - and the rad is now getting warm - similar to the other ones in the house, after getting the lockshield open approx 1 turn. I think the whole system needs a powerflush and a magnaclean. The boiler is a Potterton, quite old now but still working. There's no kettling so that may be because it's not a modern one with very fine heat-exchanger.

What potterton?
There's dozens.

 

[Madrab]

The pump might be getting a little lazy if it's an old boiler and that'll mean the system probably needs balanced.

 

[tuck1s]

What potterton?
There's dozens.