Sorry to raise yet another question on this topic but have read many of the threads and searched elsewhere without getting anywhere.
I'm not sure if I've ever got the loop to work properly in the couple of years we've been here but on the last couple of occasions when I've done 'major' work like fitting a new rad/new pipework I've really struggled to get any water back in. (Had to resort to an 'external loop', aka garden hose onto a drain cock, sorry but I was desperate!).
I'm just about to do the next stage of rad/pipe renewal and want to sort out what's going on properly this time.
Initially found the left hand valve handle was rounded off so had a spanner on it to be sure. Water definitely spurts from right hand valve when opened as have disconnected the flexi to prove, but when I turn the left hand valve little or nothing flows into the system at all as far as I can tell.
A few questions:
1. Is it likely/possible that the LH valve mechanism (or non-return part, if there is one) is broken even though the stem seems to quarter turn ok?
2. In view of 1. I have been looking to replace the valve and have noticed that in the photos the slot in the head of the main body's stem (not where the plastic handle fits) points clearly towards the water inlet, as shown in photo. On my boiler the slot is at about 45 degrees. Could this be a factor in that somebody has turned it with a screwdriver in the past and effectively isolated the inlet? I'm reluctant to just turn it myself without a bit of guidance from somebody in the know as I've been unable to get any idea what this element does or how it's meant to be configured.
3. If 2 is the case is there a valid reason why they might have done it, that might mean a new valve is still the best course? Any checks I could do?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks, Andrew
I'm not sure if I've ever got the loop to work properly in the couple of years we've been here but on the last couple of occasions when I've done 'major' work like fitting a new rad/new pipework I've really struggled to get any water back in. (Had to resort to an 'external loop', aka garden hose onto a drain cock, sorry but I was desperate!).
I'm just about to do the next stage of rad/pipe renewal and want to sort out what's going on properly this time.
Initially found the left hand valve handle was rounded off so had a spanner on it to be sure. Water definitely spurts from right hand valve when opened as have disconnected the flexi to prove, but when I turn the left hand valve little or nothing flows into the system at all as far as I can tell.
A few questions:
1. Is it likely/possible that the LH valve mechanism (or non-return part, if there is one) is broken even though the stem seems to quarter turn ok?
2. In view of 1. I have been looking to replace the valve and have noticed that in the photos the slot in the head of the main body's stem (not where the plastic handle fits) points clearly towards the water inlet, as shown in photo. On my boiler the slot is at about 45 degrees. Could this be a factor in that somebody has turned it with a screwdriver in the past and effectively isolated the inlet? I'm reluctant to just turn it myself without a bit of guidance from somebody in the know as I've been unable to get any idea what this element does or how it's meant to be configured.
3. If 2 is the case is there a valid reason why they might have done it, that might mean a new valve is still the best course? Any checks I could do?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks, Andrew