Sticking 3 way valve

booke23 · Nov 9, 2014

I've got an intermittently sticking 3 way valve that I'd like your opinions on.

It's a Drayton MA1 valve on a y-plan open vented system. It has been working fine for the past few years, until recently when it sometimes sticks in the mid position.

I have the hot water side set to come on for an hour in the afternoon, and when also running the heating obviously the valve goes to the mid position, but when the hot water turns off while the heating is on this is when the valve tends to stick. I normally notice about an hour after it sticks when I realise the heating isn't working. If I go up and wiggle the valve head with the heating on, it unsticks and moves to the heating position......switching the heating off and turning the hot water on then switching back to heating also seems to reset the valve.

I was wondering if this could be an electrical problem that would be fixed by replacing the motor in the valve, or is it more likely to be a mechanical issue requiring replacement of the whole valve?

kay-jay · Nov 10, 2014

i would have said mechanical and to change the whole thing. but it is possible that the head isnt connected to the valve correctly (loose?) as you can cure it with a jiggle about.
if it is connected properly then you need to change the lot

bright spark · Nov 10, 2014

Usually ye can't buy the actuator seperately from valve body. So buy new complete valve and swop d lot or have someone do it for ye. Could try actuator first if your feeling lazy. See how it works for ye for a week. If problem persists change body too

booke23 · Nov 11, 2014

Thanks guys. Looks like I'd better start looking for a whole new valve.

Now to decide weather to replace with another drayton or fork out for a honeywell valve......decisions decisions!