rubbish heating - rads not getting hot or not working at all

andrew-b

Partial pipe blockage by sludge or air in the pipes is my reckoning. I'd bleed all the rads (making sure heating off when you bleed and the pump has stopped too) turn the thermostat upto max, turn off hot water, set pump to max, and then turn off all rads except one to use the pump to blast through any air or sludge in the pipes into that rad. Allow 5 mins or so for each rad before moving onto the next - turn on next rad before turning off last. Once done rebleed - if you find there is now air then that means you had an airlock.

Whenever i refill our system i have to do this as i've basically got 7 inverted loops of pipework as all my rads fed from pipework in the loft - everytime i get an airlock somewhere!

There should be an air vent fitted at the highest point of the system too that may need air releasing from it if it's not an auto-venting type. I've got one auto-vent and one manual that are both in my loft. Manual one you have to untwist the cap (be careful not to drop and loose it!) and wait until you see water come out and close quick.

joanna81

Should I maybe start fiddling with the two red round screw things???

andrew-b

The boiler cylcing may be a symptom of air in the system too..if there is air in there it will reach maximum temperature quickly, cut out, cool down, turn back on ...cut out and so on.

caleyles

No I wouldn't fiddle with anything. Is homeserve still free for you, if not a cheaper bet would be some GSR engineer a bit local - up here homeserve are really dear compared with the smaller firms

joanna81

caleyles wrote: »

Oh sorry I thought you had fixed the boiler. This is a boiler issue Possible PCB
I might have had you trying stuff for nothing sorry

The boiler was originally cutting out at night and so some chap came and replaced the circuit board...this has stopped it cutting out and needing re setting, but it is now doing this OCD stopping and starting.

caleyles

andrew-b wrote: »

The boiler cylcing may be a symptom of air in the system too..if there is air in there it will reach maximum temperature quickly, cut out, cool down, turn back on ...cut out and so on.

Totally agree though it sounds as if its piped with an open exp and cold feed on top of the boiler and unless choked the boiler should be full of water - the joys of plumbing - first afternoon off for a week been inundated with bursts etc up here after a month of minus temps this thaw has played havoc anyhow good luck J hope you get sorted
chow

joanna81

I'm thinking then...that I must have air somewhere then.
The boiler cycling is certainly a problem. I have Homeserve free with my insurance and they sent someone to fit the new circuit board on Wednesday. I have been trying to get through to them since then...waited over 2 and a half hours on hold for then some dumbass to cut me off! This has happened several times! I think I've waisted about 6 hours of my life so far listening to their hold music. I got through to them this morning and they said the'd call me back in 1-2 hours.....of course nothing!
GRRRRR