Cool Radiators Downstairs

[Riz]

Just to give an update my plumber came round today and fitted a new head unit of the 3 port valve (apparently the valve itself seems fine).

The house and the downstairs radiators are warmer, although it's taking its time to get up to a good heat (been on since 11:30am and only up to 18 degrees). I'll leave it on for another 24 hours and see if it gets up to 20.

The boiler still cuts out after 1:30mins so not convinced that it's all OK though.

 

[Riz]

Hi guys,

Thought I'd give an update.

Things are still the same, despite changing the pump, the header unit for the 3 port valve, the situation is still the same.

I even put in some Sentinal X400 to flush the system. Left it in for 3 weeks but still no change.

My plumber seems to think it's a blockage in the pipes downstairs and thinks that I need to replace the pipework. Seems very drastic to me.

Does anyone have any pearls of advice as to what I should try next? I'm freezin'!!!

 

[LeakyJim]

I think I would have changed whole three port not just head
If on a drain down water black or sludge then blockage could be problem look at radiator first

 

[Riz]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for your input.

I thought the same about the 3 port valve but he checked it and said the valve itself was fine.

When I emptied the X400 out of the system there was nothing major in terms of sludge or anything. The system was flushed a few months ago by my plumber too.

 

[REDSAW]

have you got a de-scaller on the system pipe work at all?.
had one a few weeks ago, loostened of some scale somewhere and totally jammed the tube enough to remove the pump without draining down.

 

[Riz]

Hi Redsaw,

Thanks for your post.

Do you mean a physical de-scaler or an added one?

I added Sentinal X400 the other week, kept it in for 3 weeks and would have thought it would have solved any scale issue (unless you think otherwise of course).

 

[REDSAW]

a physical one or air seperator even.
if it were i, i would drain down, cut some sections and test for blockage.
may take 3/4 hours but rather get to the cause first time.

 

[LIFES A GAS]

I would turn off hot water and all rads bar one (downstairs) turn on heating, now does that rad get hot? if so open all the other ground floor rads, do they all get hot? if they do then open the upstairs lockshield rad valves just 1/4 turn or less and see how that go's many plumbers/heating engineers dont have a clue when it comes to balancing a system, also make sure that the by-pass valve if fitted is not fully open, give it a try before changing anything, hope this helps, Martin

 

[Riz]

Gentlemen, thanks for your input. I'm going to start at the beginning and change the second half of the 3 port valve. My plumber changed the head saying the valve seemed OK, but unless that's changed too I'll always be suspicious of it.

It's a relatively simple starting point too. I'll keep you posted.

Many thanks!!

 

[moogwai]

try cutting out the point where the cold feed from the feed and expansion tank meets the central heating system..........ive had 4 jobs in the last month with exactly the same symptoms and this point was blocked. don't spend no more money until you have treid this.