No bars on boiler - heating is not working

[Aleksandra Miniewicz]

Hi all

I wanted to switch on the heating after the summer and noticed that there is zero bars on boiler and heating is not working. A while back we had fitted smart meters, company confirmed that the gas is communicating ok so there is no problem on supply.

When I opened valve on pipe to release some water to radiators, it did absolutely nothing. In the past this solution worked to bring the pressure up on the boiler. Not this time. The bars are zero and not moving up.

Any idea what else can I try? Boiler doesn't light up when switching on heating.

Many thanks in advance
Aleksandra

 

[SimonG]

Top up the pressure on the boiler. Info in instructions for boiler. If you don't have them have a quick look online.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Any pictures of what you have.

 

[Aleksandra Miniewicz]

Top up the pressure on the boiler. Info in instructions for boiler. If you don't have them have a quick look online.

I will need check some guides on my boiler as its old. "Topping up" on boiler is different than topping up by opening the valve on pipe like this?:

[automerge]1568109814[/automerge]

Any pictures of what you have.

I will take photos of boiler and under boiler when I get home from work and hopefully you can help me guys.

Aleksandra

 

[Harvest Fields]

There should be 2 of the black levers to turn.

 

[Aleksandra Miniewicz]

There should be 2 of the black levers to turn.

Thank you - I'll check it straight after work.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Let us know what happens

 

[Stigster]

Thank you - I'll check it straight after work.

Just be aware that if you open both those black valve heads and the water still does not flow to pressurise the system, I've had a few over the years where the lever moves but doesn't open the valve and just slips on the spindle. Usually caused when the valve has been left closed for a long time and gets stiff and upon turning the black lever it looks like it should be opening it but it's not, the lever is just slipping around the spindle.

You should be fine and they will probably work but just so you know what's likely going on if they don't.

 

[Dan]

Worth noting that on mine, which the plumber bypassed the top up valve on the actual boiler and stuck a flexi valve on (legit?), when I turn those 2 black valves suddenly it shoots up the pressure very quickly. Like a tap on full.

So turn one fully open, and then with the 2nd, turn it really slow and listen for the water pressure. Leave it on low and wait rather than trying to rush it and turn it on full for a short period. It wont happen lol

 

[Aleksandra Miniewicz]

Let us know what happens

How do I turn these guys?
[automerge]1568136726[/automerge]

How do I turn these guys?

I got it!! Found it here.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Awesome. is it all working now?

 

[Aleksandra Miniewicz]

I got bars up now but heating still doesn't work.... It only lights up when I switch water heating not radiators... But worked for ester even without bars. No more ideas....
[automerge]1568148871[/automerge]

Awesome. is it all working now?

As I've mentioned below unfortunately not. Heating is not kicking off.... No idea what else you to try. I got the bars up on Boer but still when I switch on heating, boiler is not lighting up 🤔

 

[Harvest Fields]

Did you bleed the radiators?

 

[Aleksandra Miniewicz]

Did you bleed the radiators?

No air in radiators. When the heating was working it always lighted up fire icon on the boiler. Now is nothing. Zero reaction.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Thermostat turned up and timer on constant?

 

[Darren Jackson]

If your pressure (bar) is now OK and you have made sure the programmer is on for CH only + your room thermostat is calling for heat then it could be the motorized valve is faulty and needs looking at.

 

[Aleksandra Miniewicz]

Thermostat turned up and timer on constant?

Yes, still nothing. Looks like the boiler does not kick in, no reaction to switch on on the thermostat. Before it was lighting the fire up and heating was on, where now is nothing. What else can it be?
[automerge]1568191613[/automerge]

If your pressure (bar) is now OK and you have made sure the programmer is on for CH only + your room thermostat is calling for heat then it could be the motorized valve is faulty and needs looking at.

Maybe it is then as everything else seems to be in place including pressure on boiler now 🙁

 

[Harvest Fields]

Yep needs the motorised valve/s checking out.

 

[Aleksandra Miniewicz]

Yep needs the motorised valve/s checking out.

Maybe thermostat broke hmm or that valve you're saying. Is there any way of opening the motorized valve manually? Just trying all the options before calling in plumber as I know it can get very expensive... Just found one youtube video. Will try to move the level on motorized valve back and forth, maybe it'll kick off again.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Dependant of what valve you have. Turn the thermostat all the way up. Put the timer on for heating only. Get someone to stand by the boiler whilst you force the manual lever over on the valve at speed. See if the boiler does anything when you do this. Other then that. Registered engineer time mate.

 

[Aleksandra Miniewicz]

Dependant of what valve you have. Turn the thermostat all the way up. Put the timer on for heating only. Get someone to stand by the boiler whilst you force the manual lever over on the valve at speed. See if the boiler does anything when you do this. Other then that. Registered engineer time mate.

Thanks - this will be my last try tonight.

Thanks for all the tips🙂

 

[Harvest Fields]

You are more than welcome.

 

[Aleksandra Miniewicz]

Thanks a lot everyone! I got it all working last night! played more with thermostat and opened and closed the motorised valve few times. This time all good without calling in plumber 😀

 

[Harvest Fields]

Thanks for the feedback mate.