Worcester boiler won't repressurise

rokel

Ah - ' Oldschool' - after those two parts were changed seemed to be ok for a short while. having gone away at Christmas and turned boiler off it returned to the pressure problem when we turned it back on again. looked outside at the pipe you mentioned (pressure valve) but ground was so wet couldn't see whether it was leaking (didn't think of the plastic bag idea). As it became dry did notice that there was quite a bit of water from that pipe, however now find that no water is coming from that pipe, ground (when not raining!) is quite dry. Could that pressure valve have corrected itself? and that is why boiler seems ok now?
great help to have all your comments - many thanks.

rogerblack

One note - boilers central heating loops are not filled just with water, but with water and deoxidant - to protect the system from corrosion.

If the system needs repressurised several times, then this means this fluid has leaked out - and been replaced by water.
This will increase the rate of corrosion in the system, and lead to a quicker failure.

rockm

I followed your advice and tied a sandwich bag to the copper pipe outside this morning. Just got home from work and found there is water in it. This suggests there is a fault with the PRV? Is this something easy/cheap to fix do you know?
Thanks all!

Meadows

rockm wrote: »

Hi, I've got a Worcester boiler which started getting a bit temperamental as the pressure gauge had dropped right down to the bottom. I had a plumber come out and he replaced a few parts but it hasn't solved the problem. After repressurising the boiler, the pressure would drop right back to zero again with 24hrs. At the moment it won't repressurise at all & a couple of the radiators in my flat need bleeding constantly as so much air is building up. I've already paid over £300 and I don't know whether it's worth getting another plumber out or just buying a new boiler. Has anyone had any similar problems?
Grateful for any advice. Thanks!!

Err this could almost be written by me or my hubby!

Yes we have a Worcester Boiler (28cdi I think) with a slow pressure drop for over a year now.
In the last few months this has escalated until we are having to re pressurise once or twice a day, often it last for no more than a few hours.

After having a few plumbers out we gave up and called Worcester last week and for the pleasure of £250 they have told us there is nothing wrong with the boiler and it is probably a leak in the system (pipes) although we have no visible damp patches or sign of leakage.
Reading on line you can either rip up all floorboards looking for a leak or there is a process where the system can be drained and gas forced in, then listening equipment pin points the leak (if there is one) and you only have to get up the carpet and floor boards in that area.
From what I can gather this can cost in excess of £1,000 but as we have a lot of upstairs floor and new carpet we don't want to have to rip it all up if there is no leak or even know where to start.

We are about at the end of our tether with this as we can hardly get or maintain hot water due to no pressure and constantly having to re pressurise. So we will look to the house insurance and see if we are covered under that to get the test done, should they come back and say no leak, then I want my £250 back from Worcester as it will have to be a boiler fault!

(By the way no point in a new boiler if the problem is pipes as you will still have a pressure issue with a new boiler).

gas4you

Agree with South Coast.

As you have water in the plastic bag I would suggest testing the expansion valve.

Just lift off the front cover, look at the red expansion vessel, to the left slightly will be the valve that looks like a car tyre valve. Take the cap off and press the pin in.

If water comes out it is knackered, if nothing comes out, or very little air, then it needs re-pressurising.

The PRV will also need replacing after you have cured the EV problem.

rockm

I don't want to speak too soon, but since I replaced the pressure release valve the boiler pressure hasn't dropped from 1.5 bars! £10 worth spent!
Thanks all for your advice!!