Rads Hot Upstairs but Rads Cold Downstairs

Ryan T · 01-03-2012 05:17PM #1

Hi all

Last night I came home and the radiators upstairs were hot but all 4 downstairs were cold.

So today I bled all the rads- no air at all only water came out. Then turned the upstairs thermostat to 0 and turned downstairs to 30 degress to try force the heat down. But it didn't work.

Went outside to look at boiler (firebird) and pump (superpump). I turned the bled screw in the pump and only water came out. I gave it a few gentle taps but still didn't work. The housing on pump is hot and the pipes going in and coming out of pump are hot.

Any ideas appreciated!!!

Thanks for reading and would be grateful for any help

aujopimur · 01-03-2012 06:11PM

Is the pump running? if it is and you have zones, the motorised valve may be faulty. You can check the mot. valve by using the manual lever on the back of the actuator.

Ryan T · 01-03-2012 06:20PM

aujopimur wrote: »

Is the pump running? if it is and you have zones, the motorised valve may be faulty. You can check the mot. valve by using the manual lever on the back of the actuator.

Not sure if the pump is running - tried to listen for it. Is there any other way to check if it's running ?

Thanks

meercat · 01-03-2012 06:26PM

" when pump is running remove the large screw in the front of the pump , you should get a small trickle of water , then insert a flat head screwdriver into where the screw came out if you can't feel it spinning try turning it with the screwdriver"

previous post from sullzz

Ryan T · 01-03-2012 06:51PM

meercat wrote: »

" when pump is running remove the large screw in the front of the pump , you should get a small trickle of water , then insert a flat head screwdriver into where the screw came out if you can't feel it spinning try turning it with the screwdriver"

previous post from sullzz

Thanks

It's a bit awkward to get at as the bleed screw is not on the front but on side of pump - water keeps coming out and I can't see if I am getting screwdriver all the way in

meercat · 01-03-2012 07:03PM

Ryan T wrote: »

Thanks

It's a bit awkward to get at as the bleed screw is not on the front but on side of pump - water keeps coming out and I can't see if I am getting screwdriver all the way in

put a large screwdriver into the pump(metal part)
put your ear to screwdriver
get someone to turn pump on and off
dont confuse the sound of the boiler firing up

problem may be the motorised valve too(as aujopimur says)
get someone to switch the thermostat on and off while you listen to the spring loaded action of the motorised valve
there is a manual over-ride lever on it,if you can try that

Ryan T · 01-03-2012 07:55PM

meercat wrote: »

Ryan T wrote: »

Thanks

It's a bit awkward to get at as the bleed screw is not on the front but on side of pump - water keeps coming out and I can't see if I am getting screwdriver all the way in

put a large screwdriver into the pump(metal part)
put your ear to screwdriver
get someone to turn pump on and off
dont confuse the sound of the boiler firing up

problem may be the motorised valve too(as aujopimur says)
get someone to switch the thermostat on and off while you listen to the spring loaded action of the motorised valve
there is a manual over-ride lever on it,if you can try that

Getting a bit technical for me !!!

Might call in a plumber

Thanks for help

Ryan T · 02-03-2012 08:52PM

Ryan T wrote: »

meercat wrote: »

Ryan T wrote: »

Thanks

It's a bit awkward to get at as the bleed screw is not on the front but on side of pump - water keeps coming out and I can't see if I am getting screwdriver all the way in

put a large screwdriver into the pump(metal part)
put your ear to screwdriver
get someone to turn pump on and off
dont confuse the sound of the boiler firing up

problem may be the motorised valve too(as aujopimur says)
get someone to switch the thermostat on and off while you listen to the spring loaded action of the motorised valve
there is a manual over-ride lever on it,if you can try that

Getting a bit technical for me !!!

Might call in a plumber

Thanks for help

Got my dad over for a look at system today and he figured out it's a motorised valve.
He switched to manual and the downstairs heated up.
Do I have to replace it or can I leave it on manual.
Would I use more oil if I didn't replace. Would it be an expensive job to replace the valve

Thanks for help

meercat · 02-03-2012 08:59PM

check the roomstat is turned up

you can leave the valve manually on (this may use more oil)
sometimes the action of manually switching the valves will resolve the problem
try releasing the manual switch and it should springload back to the closed position
then turn it back on electrically

if this doesnt work,then manually over-ride the motorised valve again

Ryan T · 02-03-2012 09:17PM

meercat wrote: »

check the roomstat is turned up

you can leave the valve manually on (this may use more oil)
sometimes the action of manually switching the valves will resolve the problem
try releasing the manual switch and it should springload back to the closed position
then turn it back on electrically

if this doesnt work,then manually over-ride the motorised valve again

Meercat thanks for reply

Do you mean put motorised valve back on auto and see if the problem is resolved. But before i do that try it on manual with the room stat turned up to a higher temp( to see if it still works on manual at a higher temp )

Thanks for your help

meercat · 02-03-2012 09:24PM

1 put mv back to auto
2 turn room stat up full
3 turn heating off and listen for springloading to return to off position
4 wait one minute and turn heating back on(check mv opens up again)

if the mv does not operate then return the mv to the manual position

Ryan T · 02-03-2012 09:28PM

meercat wrote: »

1 put mv back to auto
2 turn room stat up full
3 turn heating off and listen for springloading to return to off position
4 wait one minute and turn heating back on(check mv opens up again)

if the mv does not operate then return the mv to the manual position

And would it be ok to leave on manual for good and not replace with a new mv

Thank you meetcat

meercat · 02-03-2012 09:44PM

your heating system will be more efficient with a replacement
if you are handy you may do this yourself( no plumbing necessary,just electric)

Ryan T · 02-03-2012 09:51PM

meercat wrote: »

your heating system will be more efficient with a replacement
if you are handy you may do this yourself( no plumbing necessary,just electric)

Just looking at it - there is no isolation valves ? Would I not have to drain system etc

meercat · 02-03-2012 09:55PM

not generally
what type of mv is it
the electric part usually unscrews without going near the plumbing(2 screws normally and then the motor will release from the valve)
no water at all
have you re tested the mv

Ryan T · 02-03-2012 10:01PM

meercat wrote: »

not generally
what type of mv is it
the electric part usually unscrews without going near the plumbing(2 screws normally and then the motor will release from the valve)
no water at all
have you re tested the mv

No gone out for a few pints !!!
Will try it tomorrow - dad said it was a cheap mv and not a brand he knew and that it was a sealed unit so couldn't replace a part. He knows a lot more than me !!

Thanks meercat - will try test tomorrow and get back to you for advice

meercat · 02-03-2012 10:04PM

Ryan T · 03-03-2012 12:02PM

Can hear a buzzing noise from mv when I turn heating on and off( when switched to auto)
Does this mean it's working

Thanks

Rads Hot Upstairs but Rads Cold Downstairs

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