Water filled towel rail overheating

[Bob Moore]

I have a water filled towel rail which has been working for several years.
It is now getting very hot and making a noise.

Do these loose water over time and need topping up?
Could this be the problem or a faulty thermostats or element?

Any way to diagnose the problem?

Thanks

 

[Basher]

I have a similar towel rail, not with that fault, but it has lost a bit of water, and that part of the rad at the top with no water is much colder than lower down where the water is present. Also my rad does not make a kettling noise.
I suspect the integral thermostat in your heating element. Normally a straightforward job to change the whole element/thermostat with the rad turned upside-down!
PS is there a separate temperature control that is not part of the element assembly? A photo of that part of the heating element you can see would be helpful.

 

[Bob Moore]

I have a similar towel rail, not with that fault, but it has lost a bit of water, and that part of the rad at the top with no water is much colder than lower down where the water is present. Also my rad does not make a kettling noise.
I suspect the integral thermostat in your heating element. Normally a straightforward job to change the whole element/thermostat with the rad turned upside-down!
PS is there a separate temperature control that is not part of the element assembly? A photo of that part of the heating element you can see would be helpful.

I have removed the thermostat.
It's a three pin plug in type.

Looked on line and can't see a replacement.

Any idea where I can get one?

 

[Basher]

I have never seen one of those!

But here is one! NAUTI-TH-1 towel rail thermostat | eBay - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155292541626
Probably worth getting to try.

But I wonder if the faulty bit might still be in the immersion element still in the radiator?

If the above doesn't fix it, I suggest buying a replacement complete element assembly of your choice, and abandoning all of the original.
E.g. simple element with fixed temperature:

150 watt PTC Towel Rail Heating Element IP55 Rated - Heat & Things

Electric Towel rail Heating Elements These are brand new heating elements which will fit nearly all towel rails including rails from Screwfix B&Q Stelrad Myson Apolo Delongi Victoria plumbing Soak IBath PTC Elements use less energy than conventonal heating elements! PTC heating elements are the...

www.heatandthings.com

Or element with adjustable temperature:

GT Thermostatic Chrome Towel Rail Electric Element By Cini

Buy Chrome GT Thermostatic Element & Timer Fused Spurs. Pre-Filled Towel Rails In Niche Sizes For Any space. Fast and free delivery.

elegant-radiators.co.uk

 

[Bob Moore]

I have never seen one of those!

But here is one! NAUTI-TH-1 towel rail thermostat | eBay - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155292541626
Probably worth getting to try.

But I wonder if the faulty bit might still be in the immersion element still in the radiator?

If the above doesn't fix it, I suggest buying a replacement complete element assembly of your choice, and abandoning all of the original.
E.g. simple element with fixed temperature:

150 watt PTC Towel Rail Heating Element IP55 Rated - Heat & Things

Electric Towel rail Heating Elements These are brand new heating elements which will fit nearly all towel rails including rails from Screwfix B&Q Stelrad Myson Apolo Delongi Victoria plumbing Soak IBath PTC Elements use less energy than conventonal heating elements! PTC heating elements are the...

www.heatandthings.com

Or element with adjustable temperature:

GT Thermostatic Chrome Towel Rail Electric Element By Cini

Buy Chrome GT Thermostatic Element & Timer Fused Spurs. Pre-Filled Towel Rails In Niche Sizes For Any space. Fast and free delivery.

elegant-radiators.co.uk

Appreciate your reply.
I did search eBay but missed that.
Have now purchased that item.
I did measure the element resistance and it checks out.

Will try the thermostat and if not will buy a complete new unit.

 

[Basher]

Appreciate your reply.
I did search eBay but missed that.
Have now purchased that item.
I did measure the element resistance and it checks out.

Will try the thermostat and if not will buy a complete new unit.

Pleased you are going for the eBay one, and hope it does the job!