Boiler/hot water problem - advice please

justontime

Most of the pipe work was replaced when the new boiler was put in, but the pipes in the second photo are the original pipes. The firm who fitted the boiler were very convincing and seemed to be genuine and properly qualified, etc. I did check before using them, but I later found out that their reputation was going down hill fast, they have since ceased trading. I had to have the gas fire that they fitted replaced (at their expense) and I had to have Valliant out to correct issues with the boiler (under warranty) so I am rather more sceptical about plumbers now. I can't afford to replace the cylinder only to find that it doesn't solve the problem, but if it has to be done then I will just have to find the money. The plumber said £400 plus labour, plus VAT, I intend to get something more specific in writing before going ahead, but does that sound reasonable? I have to do something, we have had no hot water for ages and we can't manage without it for much longer -the shower still works - so we don't smell!

plumb1_2

You have a sealed system, there will be a filling loop, you may need to re-pressure the system.

justontime

The pressure is perfect

plumb1_2

justontime wrote: »

I am rather more sceptical about plumbers now.

Not all i hope?

plumb1_2

I still suspect it is air trapped in the coil.
The auto air-vent could be blocked, if you feel confident unscrew it , and see if you get any water out of it.

justontime

plumb1 wrote: »

Not all i hope?

auto air-vent could be blocked I presume you mean the one at the back, this is very loose and seems to be working OK. If you mean the one in picture 2, I have done this and I just got water out, no air.

plumb1_2

justontime wrote: »

Yes all, because it is impossible to know if they are talking sense or just trying to rip you off.

And here we are giving FREE advice/help. Thanks for the slap in the face.

Canucklehead

Good afternoon:
My OH, Corgi Guy, and also Plumb1 and BobProperty (all professionals giving expert and free advice) have spent time on this thread trying to help you out... it is exceedingly frustrating and tiresome when a MSE member feels the need to pull out the old tin of tar and whatever brush is at hand.

Canucklehead

justontime

I am sorry, I have clearly chosen my words very badly and not made my meaning clear at all. I am genuinely sorry to have caused offence to anyone, and I am very grateful for all the advice and help I have been given. What I was trying to say was that for an ordinary person like me who has no knowledge of plumbing, there is no means of knowing if what you are being told is reasonable, and it is not really possible to know if the work done has been done correctly you have to put your trust in the tradesman. It is much the same with electrics, whereas with other things such as say roofing you can use a certain amount of common sense and to some extent you can see if the work being done is as expected. What I was trying to explain was that for me this represents a lot of money which will be hard to afford and cannot waste it, therefore I feel vulnerable because it seems that there is no reliable means of sorting the good tradesman from the bad. Clearly I got it badly wrong once before when I thought I had checked the company fairly carefully and that makes me more anxious about such things now. Once again I apologise for causing offence and thank you for the help you have given me.

plumb1_2

Opology accepted.

Imo you have either a faulty 3 way zone valve(loose paddle inside) or air trapped.
Plus there is no bypass fitted(as i can see) i would recomend you plumber fit 1, and also remove the auto airvent change to manual vent, also lift the botton vent up.

Also the old 22mm pipe adj to the cylinder return does this have a vent?

It is 99.9% unlikely that the cylider coil is blocked, otherwise most of your other heating pipes would be in a worse condition, and would be best to have a chemical flush.