Radiator problems please help

[TallyD]

OK,
We had central heating fitted 3 years ago, all new boiler and radiators,prior we had no heating installed.
The boiler has just had its service for 3 years and failed on the water inside the system being too dirty. He thought the system hadn't had a flush after fitting.
The company says it was done, so my question is is it normal for it to fail the test after 3 years, as the company are denying everything and saying it's a build up.
Also one radiator is packed with grease underneath where the valve goes into the radiator is been told this is done to mask a slow leak, can anyone confirm this is the case?

Thanks in advance.
Tally

 

[Deleted member 120897]

Picture isn’t the best, but looks like rust imo. I take it the company that installed the boiler haven’t carried out the service? What exactly has failed?

 

[TallyD]

Picture isn’t the best, but looks like rust imo. I take it the company that installed the boiler haven’t carried out the service? What exactly has failed?

turbidity test. It's grease we have wiped a lot off and it drips see photo

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Looks like it’s leaking to me also you don’t technically need to flush a new system that much as it’s all new kit

 

[Deleted member 120897]

Well, if it’s been used to stem a slow leak - this would cause dirty system water as every time you need to bleed it, or boiler loses pressure you’ll be adding fresh oxygenated water, and also diluting the inhibitor (if added originally).

 

[SJB060685]

Looks like it’s leaking to me also you don’t technically need to flush a new system that much as it’s all new kit

What if the installer was over zealous with flux and solder?
My opinion is its stupid not to flush even a new system, the quality of water left in a system after installation is probably more important than the design of the system itself.

 

[Deleted member 120897]

What if the installer was over zealous with flux and solder?
My opinion is its stupid not to flush even a new system, the quality of water left in a system after installation is probably more important than the design of the system itself.

Tbf mate, he didn’t say not to do it, just not as thorough.

 

[SJB060685]

Tbf mate, he didn’t say not to do it, just not as thorough.

I know, I was just casting my opinion. My point was that the quality of water is vital. Doesn't matter how good or neat the design was, if the water is fouled and we all know lots of things contribute to corrosion, then you will get problems.
In Germany they have a required procedure called VDI treatment. If all installs in this country were done the same there would be a lot less problems, however the kit to commission the water is not cheap.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

What if the installer was over zealous with flux and solder?
My opinion is its stupid not to flush even a new system, the quality of water left in a system after installation is probably more important than the design of the system itself.

You would still flush it through with mains but I think the op was talking about a power flush etc

 

[Retired gas man]

All new systems should be flushed to remove flux and any chemicals in system, it should be run first for a few hours then flushed out, radiator probably needs fresh PTFE on fitting.

 

[TallyD]

All new systems should be flushed to remove flux and any chemicals in system, it should be run first for a few hours then flushed out, radiator probably needs fresh PTFE on fitting.

They say a hot and cold flush was done on installation, I don't remember it being done.
The radiator, and ONLY that radiator is caked in grease, I've checked all the other and they're all clean as a whistle.
Having spoken to a retired central heating fitter he informed me that's what they do when there's a slow leak to bung up the leak. I have no idea, but do find it strange that ONLY that radiator has the grease on, and it's where the valve fits inside the radiator!??

 

[TallyD]

They say a hot and cold flush was done on installation, I don't remember it being done.
The radiator, and ONLY that radiator is caked in grease, I've checked all the other and they're all clean as a whistle.
Having spoken to a retired central heating fitter he informed me that's what they do when there's a slow leak to bung up the leak. I have no idea, but do find it strange that ONLY that radiator has the grease on, and it's where the valve fits inside the radiator!??

This is the best shot I can get of grease hard to grab a shot !

 

[PETE 123]

It may be inhibitor if you have a small leak the water evaporates and leaves the inhibitor i bit like mixing water with a juice and let the water evaporate leaves a sticky mess.

 

[John.g]

How is your system topped up?, if manual, how often are you topping it up?, but it may have a auto fill valve.
Also why does the boiler fail because of dirty water, is it giving trouble?.

 

[TallyD]

It may be inhibitor if you have a small leak the water evaporates and leaves the inhibitor i bit like mixing water with a juice and let the water evaporate leaves a sticky mess.

The was a LOT of it, it is the same colour as grease, and texture, and melts like grease ?

 

[TallyD]

How is your system topped up?, if manual, how often are you topping it up?, but it may have a auto fill valve.
Also why does the boiler fail because of dirty water, is it giving trouble?.

We've only had it 3 years, not needed to top it up yet.
It's on a 7 year warranty, so if a warranty repair is needed and the water is still dirty they can refuse warranty repair.

 

[TallyD]

The was a LOT of it, it is the same colour as grease, and texture, and melts like grease ?

Also it's been there since day one, we didn't know why, then a retired central heating engineer told us that cowboy traders do it to mask a slow leak

 

[John.g]

We've only had it 3 years, not needed to top it up yet.
It's on a 7 year warranty, so if a warranty repair is needed and the water is still dirty they can refuse warranty repair.

If not auto top up that is a remarkable time, I would get your system flushed out, refill with inhibitor added, and replace your boiler when it finally packs after 10 years or so. Get a local in to service it.

I would also check out the top up method because if its auto it could well be masking a far more serious leak than that drop of grease.

 

[king of pipes]

A good flush out and clean will sort your problem out get the radiator removed and examined , is there a magnetic filter fitted ? Your boiler should not be failing after 3 years

 

[TallyD]

A good flush out and clean will sort your problem out get the radiator removed and examined , is there a magnetic filter fitted ? Your boiler should not be failing after 3 years

When I say failed, he said it hasn't passed a turbidity test, that had now been logged so if there is a warranty repair needed and the water is still dirty, they can refuse a warranty repair.
We are flushing, (not power flushing) the system today and re-adding fresh inhibitor.
I've since found out via a reputable fitter that the company had a bad name within the local traders, so lesson learned I guess! ☹