If it's an unvented cylinder then it should really have it's own dedicated 2 port zone valve controlled by a cylinder stat. Is there a gate valve on the Hw primaries so you can turn them off completely and see if the rads heat up? After which you can balance it right down. Also is it possible to lift floors in the house to look at what way it's piped? Had the same problem a few years back where we went in after another plumber because him and the builder had a falling out. Turned out the flow and return on the rad circuit were linked under the floor, so it was short circuiting and the rads weren't heating up properly.