Downstairs radiators issue

moreofthegoodstuff

We have a very old potterton boiler that is still hanging in there. Recently we have found the downstairs radiators get hot but after an hour or so they start to cool down, but the ones upstairs remain hot.

Does anyone have any ideas what the issue could be? We have bled the radiators and no air came out, but that stopped the boiler making a whistling noise so has helped a bit.

If it's a part, can they still be purchased for fairly old boilers? I have no idea of the age, it could be 15 years, it could be more! We have a boiler insurance policy where they will repair up to £350 and if the cost is more than that, they will give £750 towards a new boiler, just hoping not to have to replace it just yet.

Le_Kirk

1) Does the boiler continue to run when the downstairs rads go cool?
2) Do the downstairs rads have TRV's?

moreofthegoodstuff

The boiler continues to run, the radiators are also really old and don't have trv's.

Crinkmeister

Fully pumped?

moreofthegoodstuff

Crinkmeister wrote: »

Fully pumped?

I'm really not sure?

Crinkmeister

There must be a pump somewhere. Do all the rads get warm as soon as the boiler fires?

moreofthegoodstuff

Yes, within 5 mins or so they are warm upstairs and downstairs.

Le_Kirk

Do you have a zone valve? Where is the thermostat situated (assuming there is one)? Is there only one heating circuit? If you don't have a zone valve, try turning off all the upstairs radiators and see what happens.