Problem with Water Pump in Oil Central Heating Boiler

airman737

Hello All. Hopefully someone can help.

I recently bought a new house. The builder had the central heating system drained of water incase of frost. I switched on the water last week. I released all the air from the RADS. When I switch on the heating, the burner goes for about 5 mins then stops.

There is a water pump in the burning unit, It doesn't seem to be working. There is a large screw on the front of it, So I removed this to release air, but there is a smaller Flat Head screw inside this that just spins with the screw driver.

The boiler is very hot, and when I open the pressure release valve on top of it, alot of steam and hot water comes out.

After about 4 hours, it will come on again (The Burner) for about 5 mins again.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

DGOBS

either, a, the pump is not working (that 'inner screw' is the pump shaft, and should spin when the heating is switched on, if it doesn't either there is no power to it, or the pump has failed)
b, your system is still air locked and the water cannot circulate.

The burner runs for about 5 minute heating the boiler water, which is not being taken away.

What boiler make, model?

airman737

DGOBS wrote: »

either, a, the pump is not working (that 'inner screw' is the pump shaft, and should spin when the heating is switched on, if it doesn't either there is no power to it, or the pump has failed)
b, your system is still air locked and the water cannot circulate.

The burner runs for about 5 minute heating the boiler water, which is not being taken away.

What boiler make, model?

It's a firebird boiler. I have a funny feeling the pump has failed! Would testing the wires with a phase tester be any help?

Billy Bunting

If the inner screw on the shaft isnt turning and you have power at the pump then its very possible the pump has gone, a phase tester will do.

DGOBS

Is it a firebird super q? if so, is the bottom switch on the LHS of the boiler control panel set to HW-CH
(switch 4 on the attached pic) as most I come across do not have the HW only wired and this will deactivate the pump

airman737

DGOBS wrote: »

Is it a firebird super q? if so, is the bottom switch on the LHS of the boiler control panel set to HW-CH
(switch 4 on the attached pic) as most I come across do not have the HW only wired and this will deactivate the pump

No it's the simple timer clock on it. The clock has constant on/off and timer! Thanks for all your replies. I was wondering would the thermostat in the boiler be faulty?

DGOBS

No, the stat is fine, its circulation by the sounds of it. Pump or airlock

Did you make sure the pump had power or not?

airman737

Thanks DGBOS

I have to check it in the morning. I'll post back and let you know.