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Impossible to fix flow problem? 4 grand down so far...

Discuss Impossible to fix flow problem? 4 grand down so far... in the Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board area at PlumbersForums.net

Fixitflav - and that is what I don't get... Seems to me like perhaps I do have a circulation problem a bit but def no blockage as such. And it feels like the boiler is just too picky about the conditions it will operate in. Thinking the only way to tell for sure is putting a flow sensor in, on the return by the boiler? Could just be that I have some circulation, but very limited, the pipes are 35 years old...
 
Darryl Pullen said:
Fixitflav - and that is what I don't get... Seems to me like perhaps I do have a circulation problem a bit but def no blockage as such. And it feels like the boiler is just too picky about the conditions it will operate in. Thinking the only way to tell for sure is putting a flow sensor in, on the return by the boiler? Could just be that I have some circulation, but very limited, the pipes are 35 years old...
Click to expand...
Maybe sammathias has a point, it could be as simple as that. What is system pressure? Is there flow from a vent point on the boiler, or the pipework close by?
Where is the expansion vessel connected?
Some photos and sketches would be useful.
 
System pressure is sat around 0.6 bar rising up a bit when hot water is on currently. Can top it up later, didn't think that would make a huge difference? Expansion vessel is connected on the return I think, next to the boiler, will draw it out later... Wasn't sure I understood the question about flow from the vent point on the boiler?
 
A small grundfos 15/50 will be capable of heating a 12 rad system...what makes you think a huge pump is going to make any difference? Going down the route of flow meters is just wasting time and money.
Time to get a decent heating engineer out and get him to read the installation instructions on bleeding the boiler to start. And look over your heating system. No doubt something straight forward.
 
Darryl why do you think you are still capable of sorting this out & why no photos ?
If the boiler does the same thing when just the hot water is on (no heating) a small 22mm flow & return, then the problem lies on the primary circuit between the boiler & the upstairs cylinder cupboard. A flow meter is going to tell you what we already know & then what, what will you do to fix it?
Find someone who understands what they are doing, it is more than likely a simple fix as a number have suggested.
I am out of here, good luck.
 
Thanks. I don't think I am capable of fixing it, I know I am not, just looking for some creative ideas and to learn a little really. Had two different plumbers out so far, 4k spent and the system is behaving identically, they tried all the "simple fixes" apparently and some more complex ones. Really appreciated the responses and ideas.

Tried to take some pics last night and all the useful bits are blocked by the big red pressure ball thing from the sealed system! Will try again or draw it down later.
 
Darryl Pullen said:
Thanks. I don't think I am capable of fixing it, I know I am not, just looking for some creative ideas and to learn a little really. Had two different plumbers out so far, 4k spent and the system is behaving identically, they tried all the "simple fixes" apparently and some more complex ones. Really appreciated the responses and ideas.

Tried to take some pics last night and all the useful bits are blocked by the big red pressure ball thing from the sealed system! Will try again or draw it down later.
Click to expand...
There’s your problem. You need a heating engineer and not a plumber mate.
 
20180814_173038.jpg 20180814_173046.jpg 20180814_173051.jpg 20180814_173059.jpg 20180814_173152.jpg 20180814_173244.jpg 20180814_173254.jpg
 
Ask around friends, family or even the local plumbers merchants for a highly recommended heating engineer! Word of mouth and reputation is the best advertisement
Good luck
 
Pictures might be a bit confusing. Connections are at the top of the boiler, just 2, 1 flow, 1 return. They are not looped together but the pic makes it look like it. 3 pipes into the roof. Flow going up, and two returns from upstairs. H/w return and upstairs rads. They join the pipe from the flood on the far right, downstairs return...
 
Thanks. So even so some of the pipe work is a bit shoddy right. There seems to be nothing fundamentally wrong. Flow up to pump, into auto valve and feeding dhw tank and/or rads. H/w and rads returns all into boiler cupboard. Pressure tank on return in boiler cupboard with filling loop...
 
chris watkins said:
22mm equal tee before the pump what is that for ?
Click to expand...

Looks like the old feed and vent, can only assume it's capped off higher up and not just isolated on that 15mm gate valve.

The flow and return does loop together by some form of close coupled tee arrangement.

If your certain that that motorized valve is working correctly and the wiring is correct it probably is a blockage 'solder' .

In picture 5 you could unjoin the two 22mm tees far right and see how it performs.

Basically with that complete mess it's going to be impossible for us and best to get a 'plumber' to rectify that pipework.
 
It might be an idea to fit a second hand pump on the rtn, wire it straight to a plug, plug it in let it run all the time on fast and see what happens. 2nd hand pump is dead cheap
 
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