Boiler flow and return valve worcester combi

[tonyacktar]

I am about to replace a diverter valve on a combi (cdi 24) but have been told by a friend who works for BG not to close the boilers flow and return valves and do a system drain-down instead. He reckons that if i close the valves they will leak when i refill the boiler.


Sounds like bull but have any of you guys experienced this.

cheers

 

[bob the plumber]

yeah, like any valve that hasnt been used in a while theres always a possibility they might leak when used, id listen to your friend he talks sense, could be more hassle than its worse.

 

[GrahamM]

Trust your friend. Any more than a few years old and the Worcester iso valves are almost certain to leak if touched.
Been there, seen it, done it myself. Learnt by my mistake.
Funnily enough it was a straight forward diverter job on a Worcester that I learnt this lesson. As I had to go and source iso valves after changing a diaphragm the job took half the day.
Now I do not even look at an iso valve as it will start to drip.

 

[SimonJohns]

Any valve that doesn't have a packing gland won't get touched

Since I learnt the lesson if this I've only ever fitted gate, stop, or globe

 

[GQuigley67]

listen to your friend mate he's talking sense lol

 

[tonyacktar]

cheers fellas,

I owe him an apology.

 

[royston]

Yes he is talking sense, slotted iso valves are a pain to.

 

[WHPES]

Can you use a freezing machine on the flow and return pipes save emptying and spending loads of time bleeding etc?

 

[cdodds2004]

if its a combi it wont take long to drain and fill anyways, and when i was on the worcester course they told me there engineers use a 2yr rule on iso valves anything after that then a drain down,

 

[GQuigley67]

one leaked with me under 2 years so i would just not touch them at all

 

[arran197]

I had one go on me on a Ravenheat the other day. I risked it because I didn't want to drain it down. I ended up draining down and changing the valve anyway, so yes, trust your mate. And with the money you save not replacing the valve, buy some inhibitor instead! Lol!