Water Pump Problem

[swaring]

Hi there,
I wonder if someone can help. Yesterday I had my heating on and noticed there was no heat from the radiators. I nticed there was no flame in the boiler downstairs so the pilot must have gone out. I turned the heating off on the main pad in the kitchen.

I then noticed that the pump was running continuously even though nothing was on. What do I do? I had to leave the house shortly after this happened as I had an important meeting to attend. My Dad visited the property the day after and says the pump is still whining. What could this be? Is this a faulty pump? Or i read somewhere it could be a microswitch problem.

ANy help would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Simon.

 

[seco services]

Did you turn hw off ?

 

[swaring]

Yea everything is off. Heating is off and Hot Water is off.

Thanks for a speedy reply.

 

[swaring]

COuld it be a faulty Pump or something more serious. Im concerned about it whining away 24/7

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Depends on the system as to where the pump gets its power from. Make/model of boiler would be useful as some boilers have a constant power supply, which in turn allows the boiler to control the pump.

Also, if you have a frost stat fitted, this will override the programmer/timeclock to prevent the system from freezing. If the boiler isnt firing then it'll never reach the required temperature, and until it reaches temperature the system wont switch the pump off.....

 

[swaring]

Its a valiant boiler. It is in the garage. The programmer is in the kitchen and the tank and pump is in a cupboard in the bathroom.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

If it's in the garage then there's a fair bet it's fitted with a frost stat. Should boiler and/or pipework freeze at best it could mean a new boiler, at worst they can explode! Frost stat will override the timeclock during cold snaps (like now...!) to run the boiler and prevent frost damage.

With current weather conditions i'd be cautious about switching it back on unless you are absolutely certain nothing has frozen. Newer boilers dont have a pilot, ignition is achieved by a spark electrode when boiler receives call for heat. First task would be to ascertain why the boiler isnt firing, then deal with the pump issue. (If there is one.)

 

[swaring]

Thanks for your reply Hugh Jaleak. Im pretty sure nothing is frozen its just very windy here at the moment which may have caused the pilot from going out.

So basically the pump will still keep whinding until the thermostat temperature is reached?

So if I try and light the pilot, fingers crossed the temperature will be reated and the pump turn off?

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Cant guarantee anything will 'work' without more detail on your system, suggestions are only possibilities at the moment. If boiler lights, system get up to temperature and pump then still keeps running then there may be a fault somewhere.

Are you aware if a frost stat is fitted in the garage near the boiler? This would be my first thought as any reputable installer would not fit a boiler in an area vunerable to low temperatures without fitting a frost stat to protect the boiler and system. The frost stat will override any on/off setting on the programmer, hence why pump is running despote programmer is switched off. Other options could be a sticking microswitch in a motorised valve, or a problem within the boiler itself.

 

[swaring]

Ok I have just got home. It's a Back Solo WM 40/4RS. It is actually snowing here now and I'm frozen . I just tried lighting the pilot to no joy. I have noticed drips of water coming from the boiler but I'm guessing this is just from the outside flu. it's pretty damp by the 3 wires where the pilot ignites. I really don't know what to do. things just keep getting worse.
If I got a hair dryer around those wires to try and dry them out would that help before trying to ignite again. The heating was all fine until I left on that Saturday morning. PLEASE HELP.

 

[swaring]

I have took all the sides off now and there seems to be water running down the sides of boiler. What could this be. Please any help would be appreciated

 

[swaring]

We have noticed drips of water coming the hot outsold flow which has a blanking bit on the end. I'm thinking the water is dripping from here and it has put the pilot out. When I try and light the pilot I can't hear gas coming out. Could this have locked the gas from coming to the inlet?