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View the thread, titled "Worcester-Bosch Combi Keeps Losing Pressure Within Hours" which is posted in UK Plumbers Forums on UK Plumbers Forums.

G

Glosguy

I have a 10 year old Worcester-Bosch Greenstar 30 HE combi running 7 radiators in a 3 bedroom semi. All pipework and radiators were new with boiler.


Even after putting pressure back up to 1 to 1.5 bar while cold, I find within an hour or so it’s back to zero. The heating system seems to run OK even with boiler pressure showing zero. When I try to bleed a radiator nothing comes out, presumably because of the lack of pressure.


From reading forum posts I understand I need to find out whether the leak is in the pipework/radiator system or in the boiler. I can find no signs of leakage in any visible pipework or radiators.


Regarding the boiler check, I have read on forums that I should re-pressurise the boiler, then close down the CH out and return valves overnight to check whether it’s a boiler problem . If it’s a boiler problem I gather the pressure will be lost. If it’s a leak, the overnight pressure will stay the same. Is this correct?


See attached photo of pipework below boiler.


Question 1: what tool do I need to turn off the CH out and return valves (far left and far right in photo) please? Is it a normal allen key in the centre of the square ?


Question 2: One of the downstairs radiators is warm at the top and the bottom 70% is cold. Could the boiler pressure problem be the reason for the cold radiator bottom? Hopefully it’s not sludge after only 10 years. A sticker on the boiler says Sentinel x100 was put in in Year 2


Question 3: Due to continually having to top-up the pressure, will the protective benefit of the original Sentinel X100 now be lost and so need replacing? Is this a simple job, or do I need to get someone in to do this? If it’s easy, where is it put in?

Many thanks!

Greenstar 30HE Boiler.jpg
 
follow the copper pipe on the far right, it should go out the wall

if at the end of the pipe its dripping theres your leak

you'll need a gas engineer to replace the PRV, if it was any other boiler it would be a 10 min job, however with one of those greenstars your engineer will be there for ages swearing at your boiler
 
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Question 1: what tool do I need to turn off the CH out and return valves (far left and far right in photo) please? Is it a normal allen key in the centre of the square ?
Do.not.touch.them. Seriously.They will leak.

Question 2: One of the downstairs radiators is warm at the top and the bottom 70% is cold. Could the boiler pressure problem be the reason for the cold radiator bottom? Hopefully it’s not sludge after only 10 years. A sticker on the boiler says Sentinel x100 was put in in Year 2
Could well be sludge. Was your system powerflushed during the initial installation?

Question 3: Due to continually having to top-up the pressure, will the protective benefit of the original Sentinel X100 now be lost and so need replacing? Is this a simple job, or do I need to get someone in to do this? If it’s easy, where is it put in?
Yes the concentration will dilute over time. It is probably worthwhile to dose the system after the pressure drop is rectified. If it is the PRV as ambrosia suggested the same engineer that fits the new prv could do that for you.
 
If you top up all the time you are adding oxygenated water to the system which will cause sludge. after 8 years i think the x100 is gone.
 
As above. Top answers. Also check that condensate isn't your leak as the kebab (main bit of boiler) if not serviced could be split and leaking
 
Many thanks for all your replies. Regarding your questions:


Yes -the system was power flushed when installed.


Regarding the outside copper pipe outlet, today I fixed a plastic bag over the outlet before firing up the boiler. Within 15 minutes there was half a pint of water in the bag. Nothing more came out afterwards.


Boiler pressure log was:


1555hrs System cold and pressure set at 1 bar
1557 heating now come on
1603 pressure now 2.8 bar
1605 now 3 bar
1610 now 3.2 bar
1615 dropped to 2.3 bar
1632 dropped to 1.9 bar (heating now gone off)
16.50 pressure now 0.0 with heating off


Boiler has been serviced every year to date.


I assume this means that the pressure relief valve is the problem?
 
No. This means you have to call someone in who's qualified and registered to work on your boiler.

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Worcester-Bosch Combi Keeps Losing Pressure Within Hours
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