What does this do please? Part of pump in combi boiler

[silver50]

Water dripped out of my old Vokera Linea+ combi this morning. I think this may have happened before a long while ago. In use again today I think the dripping has actually stopped. I can see where it's coming from. See picture the brass lid which seems to be part of the pump has (a bit like) a tyre valve on top of it with no cap currently screwed onto it, this is where water was/is coming out

I must get this boiler changed but I'm on the cusp of putting in plans to change the layout of my flat. Currently the boiler couldn't be in a worse position for connecting to a drain, even with a condensate pump.

Be good to know what the part does and why water might come out, thanks

 

[ianmcd]

it is an automatic air release valve it has a small float in it that whenair is present and not water , the float drops and releases the air then when the water level is high enough it is supposed to seal, they leak for fun, with your one you can just replace the brass part, not a big job by any means

 

[terryplumb]

Its an auto air vent ,and its not in good shape . it should allow air out , but not allow water out. Edit.......
........ Sorry ian didn't see your post !

 

[silver50]

Many thanks. That's quite encouraging as I'd like to nurse the old girl along for a little bit longer if I can.

Makes some sense then that it's probably sealed itself again now. How should I go about sourcing one? Grundfos pump, so will it be a grundfos particular part for that pump or is it a more common AAV type part?

 

[ianmcd]

great price so I would order this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOKERA-L...183837&hash=item43dcc31d8f:g:9V0AAMXQuTNTMqoD

 

[silver50]

great price so I would order this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOKERA-L...183837&hash=item43dcc31d8f:g:9V0AAMXQuTNTMqoD

Cheers for that. Magic.

If it's an automatic air vent (I appreciate it is!) why the plastic cap on it?

 

[terryplumb]

Prevents anything going into it ,grit etc. Rather like on a car tyre valve. The cap should be loose ,once fitted ,to allow air to get out.

 

[silver50]

Cheers and thx to both. Yes, I half wondered if leaving it loose was probably the case.

 

[silver50]

Got the new AAV to replace the leaking one.

Could you advise on fitting it, I assume I'll need to drain down the heating, or.... water off at main?

Obviously kill electricity to boiler being step 1
Thanks

 

[ianmcd]

no need to drain the heating just the boiler, power off and you are good to go

 

[Hot&Cold]

silver50,your boiler is an Ok boiler but needs some tlc by a vokera specialist. you can diy exchange the aav head part, just drain out the boiler to a sufficient water level and swap the brass head.refill test etc.

dont forget about getting the boiler serviced by a vokera specialist,it will prolong the boilers life.Most parts are available from ianmcd's link,not that i have anything to do with Nagi enterprises well not now

 

[silver50]

Thanks to both above. So, what does a person normally do to just drain out just the boiler please? I am happy to try and do this

I was on the cusp of replacing the boiler (It'll be 18+ years old) but just recently am thinking of relocating the position which will mean obtaining a building warrant for other stuff too. Indeed a service is probably a good idea. I feel a little bit like "if it ain't broke don't fix it" but I know this isn't really a saying that applies to gas appliances! It was serviced in the not too distant past (1.5-2 years I think it was).

 

[silver50]

I swapped it over just now so that's it done.

Thanks again for help here