You also mentioned you got mucky water coming out.
You have quite an old system so it is probably full of corrosion sediment and sludge. This may well be the cause of your pump failing, it may have been clogged or worn by the dirt. It is worth cleaning and inhibiting it to reduce future problems.
Assuming you can find a drain-off near the lowest point of your system, and a feed and expansion tank (probably in the loft) buy one or two bottles of chemical system cleaner and a bottle of corrosion inhibitor (Sentinel and Fernox are good brands) which you will be able to get at your plumbers merchant or DIY shed.
Read the instructions twice. Cleaning a system is not a difficult DIY job but takes time (an afternoon should cover a drain and refill) so is more expensive if you have to pay somone. The chemicals might only cost you £30 or so
http://www.screwfix.com/search.do;j..._dyncharset=UTF-8&fh_search=sentinel&x=7&y=11
Get a non-pregnant person to climb into the loft and tie up the ball valve in the F&E tank, and bale out the sludgy water into a bucket, mop out the remaining sludge with a sponge (this is to prevent it being washed down into the system) then TURN OFF THE BOILER and drain out the dirty water. Put the cleaner into the F&E tank and untie the ball cock so it refills. This will help to wash out some of the loose sludge. After an appropriate time (maybe a few weeks) drain it out and flush with clean water. If it was very dirty you may need to clean it twice. When it is clean, refill using the inhibitor.
If you have to change the pump, although this is fairly simple when it goes right, on an old system the valves may be stuck so it needs a person who is competent at plumbing problems.
You have quite an old system so it is probably full of corrosion sediment and sludge. This may well be the cause of your pump failing, it may have been clogged or worn by the dirt. It is worth cleaning and inhibiting it to reduce future problems.
Assuming you can find a drain-off near the lowest point of your system, and a feed and expansion tank (probably in the loft) buy one or two bottles of chemical system cleaner and a bottle of corrosion inhibitor (Sentinel and Fernox are good brands) which you will be able to get at your plumbers merchant or DIY shed.
Read the instructions twice. Cleaning a system is not a difficult DIY job but takes time (an afternoon should cover a drain and refill) so is more expensive if you have to pay somone. The chemicals might only cost you £30 or so
http://www.screwfix.com/search.do;j..._dyncharset=UTF-8&fh_search=sentinel&x=7&y=11
Get a non-pregnant person to climb into the loft and tie up the ball valve in the F&E tank, and bale out the sludgy water into a bucket, mop out the remaining sludge with a sponge (this is to prevent it being washed down into the system) then TURN OFF THE BOILER and drain out the dirty water. Put the cleaner into the F&E tank and untie the ball cock so it refills. This will help to wash out some of the loose sludge. After an appropriate time (maybe a few weeks) drain it out and flush with clean water. If it was very dirty you may need to clean it twice. When it is clean, refill using the inhibitor.
If you have to change the pump, although this is fairly simple when it goes right, on an old system the valves may be stuck so it needs a person who is competent at plumbing problems.
