zone valve actuator. HELP!

[crizzy]

Last night I heard quite a loud 'pinging/clicking noise coming from the pipe work under the boiler (Potterton). It happened about every 20 seconds but was just loud enough to wake my kids I looked at where it was coming from and it was from this thing called a zone valve actuator. (white in colour, i think).At the front of it there is a black plastic 'thing' which moves from right to left quietly ticking as it moves. When it gets to the left hand side it suddenly pings/twangs/clicks quickly over to the right hand side.Does this every 20 secs (ish). Anyway, the only thing I could do with the system running was to push it down just before it pinged. It stopped but only for an hour or so before it popped up and did it all over again! Next time it stopped for less time. I am aware that sticking my fingers in an pushing the black bit down could have been dangerous (was it?) Anyway, any ideas anyone? Is it serious? I am hopeless at diy stuff but would just like an idea of what I'm up against. What should I do tonight? Shut it down or keep going?
Thank you

 

[frank uk]

Has 2 screws in the corners,what name is on it?. Undo the screws lift head off and see what its doing then if its doing the same then you can just get a new head,unless its damaged the body,but i doubt it

 

[crizzy]

Thanks Frank. I am at work at the moment so I don't know the name but I'll have a look later and let you know.

 

[frank uk]

O.k crizzy,i will look out for you later.If i can help you, i will. cheers

 

[crizzy]

Thank you, Will look at about 7 ish. Can't do another night like last night

 

[crizzy]

am I in danger of doing more damage if I keep pushing the black bit back in to stop it clicking though???

 

[gas4you]

If this is under the boiler then it sounds like a standard zone valve and the head needs replacing. If it is one of these then there is no danger in leaving it manually open.

OR do you mean you have a potterton combi and are accessing via the bottom panel?

 

[bengasman]

bit more specifics would help

 

[crizzy]

Thanks for reply. No, It's not a combi. So , when I get home, I unscrew the two screws and lift/take off the top/ (head?) and this will stop the clicking til I get replacement?? Does the movement of this black pastic bit sound normal to you??

 

[crizzy]

Bengasman. I will stop asking any more questions til I can get you model nos etc. I am at work and just worring about it that's all.

 

[gas4you]

You can do that, but this will not stop the head clicking as the power will still be applied to it.

The black lever should stay open when it is working correctly and only shut back when it is de-energised.

 

[crizzy]

ok thanks,One more silly question. What will stop the clicking? removing something off the actuator?? (ie unscrewing those two screws Frank told me earlier??_)

 

[gas4you]

No, you will have to disconnect the brown wire in the wiring centre. Turn off power first and make bare wire safe (insulated) in case a fault makes it live.