Magnaclean on Flow= not good...?

[Pssst]

I dont really dabble in central heating these days but a friend asked my opinion on problems with their heating system recently.

They have a potterton profile fully pumped system with honeywell y plan diverter and twin channel programmer.

It has worked fine for many years but has in the last few months started to misbehave.

Its under contract to BG.

A quick check suggested to me some circulation issues since the boiler fires up ,gets hot then starts some minor clanging as if the pump has jammed and its about to start boiling over. It then cuts out on the boilerstat.

Recent works by BG include a powerflush and a new overheat stat fitted as it kept tripping off.

Also a new pump.

I had a quick look in the cylinder cupboard and noted that a magnaclean had been fitted on the flow i.e flow pipe comes directly through ceiling from boiler below in 28mm..Tee...vertical up to expansion...tee section goes across,has CF teed into that then pump then through magnaclean then into common port of y plan valve.

This sounds like bad news to me.

Friend says magnaclean has been in position for a few years.

I suspect that the magnaclean is partially blocked/restrictive and further, i would not have fitted this in this position as it isnt a preferred position and leaves it exposed to higher temps.

Thoughts?

 

[AWheating]

fitting on the flow is fine imo but post a picture so we can "picture it", its not ideal or recommended but it will still work. It will give less protection to the boiler not being on the return and be exposed to slightly higher temps but its alot better then nothing i guess. i dont think its a major restriction unless the valves are causing a problem.

can it be refitted on the return?

 

[arran197]

Always thought these kind of thing should be fitted on the return, although I haven't fitted one.

 

[Roger Welton]

Not ideal but shouldn't be a problem, see page 2 of mi

Removed

 

[lambchop]

I always fit my on the return just before the boiler, so it offers the maximum protection. Read the m.i.s that roger was good enough to post. Just seems good practice to put it on the rtn before it hits the boiler as if its on the flow at the start of the circuit, the magnatite (not the best speller) only gets picked up by the magnaclean after its gone through the heat exchanger. Sort of defeats the object imo!

 

[Whyme]

The magnaclean shouldnt cause a restriction even with loads on the magnet. it can only hold so much so that it doesnt block 'in theory'.

 

[JJ The Plumber]

Agreed Magnaclean should be on the return but it's not always possible to fit on the return. If you suspect a blockage just turn off the isolation valves and unscrew the top, that way you'll know for sure.

 

[neily01]

If it is an ov system it should be only be on the return as there should not be any isolating valves between the appliance and the system vent

 

[Nostrum]

Doesn't sound like there is as they have fitted it after the pump which has its own set of valves.

Doubt it makes much difference on a system this age and BG don't care, they've been paid for the filter and powerflush, neither have fixed the problem which is likely to be the basis they were sold on.

 

[TFGplumbing]

You have to set them up accordingly, there's two little bits of plastic with arrows on them (once dismantled) - they are either pointed outwards or inwards depending on whether its fitted on the flow or return.

 

[Pssst]

#10 didnt know that. It isnt my problem i was just viewing it and the boiler is unrestricted to the open vent and CF. I do feel though that it would go a long way to fixing the problem if it was on the return. Still..over to someone else.. The punter was even thinking she needed a new boiler but i advised against it as it was clearly a circulatory issue.

 

[Derek Hardman]

Took a Magnaclean out the other day, it was on the flow, the threads were worn out and the whole threaded parts had both become dome shaped, my guess was that the heat of the flow was too much for the plastic?

 

[GasmanxxxR1]

No probs on the position of the magnaclean. Check configuration of OV and CF, check theres on blockage on cold feed, with issues you describe this is the first place to start

 

[Pssst]

OV and CF are clear...BG have just power flushed it and their designed positions are good.