Oil Central Heating Problem

Rob113

Pump seems to have packed in on the oil central heating. Heating is firing up, but there's no heat getting to the house. The pump itself is red hot but there's no sound coming from it and doesn't feel like its doing anything.

Is there anything I can try do myself or do I need to get someone in to have a look. It's about 7yrs old

Avns1s

Has it worked at all this season?

Open the big "screw" in the centre. A little water will come out. The shaft, which you should now be able to see, will most likely not be turning, perhaps seized after being off all summer, hence my question above. There is a slot in the shaft that you should be able to turn with a screwdriver. Turn it back and forth a few times until it feels free.

Turn the pump back on and check that its turning. Replace the cap (Screw).

Rob113

Was working up until yesterday evening. Thought I was out of oil at first so threw €50 worth in this morning. I've been trying to loosen that big screw this morning but can't get a budge on it.

Avns1s

Keep trying to get off that cap. A big screwdriver shouldn't have too much bother.

There wouldn't be a valve that got closed? Or a motorised valve that might have failed? The motorised valve will have a slider on it to facilitate manual opening.

If there are no valves on the line or al valves are open, then its likely to be the pump. Probably will need to be replaced as they rarely "seize" mid season. Still would be nice to rule out seizing by opening that cap before you go buying a pump / getting a plumber.

aujopimur

Try a few gentle taps with a hammer, it might free it out.

Rob113

Got screw cap opened yesterday with a little wd40. Pumps not jammed. It's like there's no power getting to it at all. Is there a fuse or anything I can change or is it time to get someone in

Avns1s

I take it you can easily rotate the shaft with a screwdriver?

Next check the voltage (carefully) across the terminals of the pump with a multimeter. You will have to remove the cover where the cable is fitted to do this. If you have power here, then the problem is with the pump and will likely need to be replaced.

Rob113

Ye rotates no problem. It had been working up until fri eve. Fearing the worst tbh. Reckon the whole boiler will need replacing. All looks quite corroded and there's water leaking from the bottom of it. It's finding the money this side of Xmas is the problem. Thanks for your help.

Avns1s

Did you try running the system with the cap off? Does the shaft rotate when its (supposed to be) getting power?

Can you see where the water is leaking from in the boiler?

A good few "kerbside" boilers fell foul of last years hard frost. Cracks in the waterways of the boiler that leaked very little only became apparent when the boiler was off for the summer.

Rob113

Ye unscrewed cap then turned power on. Shaft rotates no problem with power both on and off. Can't see where water is leaking from but base of unit is covered with build up of rust coloured sludge. Neighbour down road had to get complete new boiler system in last year because the water had destroyed his old one. Water down this way (Laois) is desperate.

Avns1s

The shaft should spin on its own when the power is on if the pump was running correctly. Did you get chance to check if its getting power to teh terminals?

Leakage from the boiler is a separate problem.

Rob113

Don't have a multimeter. A neighbour of mine is a sparks. I'll get him to check it for me this evening when he gets in from work.

alibabba

Hi

I turned on the heating this morning (outside Firebird boiler) and I suddenly heard a low vibration noise. I soon discover it was coming from the pipe that comes in from the boiler and up into the hot water cylinder. When I grabbed the pipe with my hand, the noise disappeared, let it go, the vibration noise could be heard.

Is there something wrong do you think ?