Worcester 30 CDI Combi

[IJWS15]

Changed one of daughter's radiators for heated towel rail today.

Tried to re-pressurise and the valve would not turn. Just like 2 years ago when I moved a radiator for her (valve changed under warranty then).

Handle and extension turn without opening valve, broke handle off to get to the spindle and turned it with a small spanner to re-pressurise.

Is this a common fault or is her boiler service engineer (not me) heavy handed when he/she tightens it??

 

[bengasman]

Probably heavy handed; it is plastic and only needs to be shut finger tight; closed is closed, it doesn't need another turn "just to be safe".
The "handle" your refer to is probably the filling key which should be taken out when you are finished topping up.
See faq for how to do this.

 

[IJWS15]

The valve is supplied with a "knurled" plastic handle about 20mm in diameter. It fits over the square spindle and should stay on. It also has an extension piece which fits over the round handle.
We have had 2 where the handle turned on the spindle so it is currently handle-less.

 

[IJWS15]

How easy is it to change the valve?

Not gas side so I guess I can do it.

 

[bengasman]

Like all things, it is easy if you know how to and have the proper tools. If you are going to do it yourself, make sure the boiler is physically disconnected from the mains; if you do something wrong, you got water coming out under pressure which bad enough without 230 V.
Manual shows you what is connected where.

 

[IJWS15]

Update

Left her with a removable tap handle which turns the valve!

See what they do when they next service the boiler for her!