Central heating - boiler valve replacement?

[Jamie123]

Hi,

I've had a problem recently with my central heating. The upstairs radiators are fine, they heat up without a problem. The downstairs ones however only get warm at best.

I've tried bleeding the radiators and the pump and they all bleed straight to water; and I've balenced the system the best I can hoping that would sort it out. It didn't.

I today noticed that the pump doesn't seems to be on all the time like it used to. When it comes on it spins (I took off the front panel and can see it turning), but it then shuts off after a minute or two. I've noticed there is a valve box (see pic) which is attached to the same pipe as the pump. It has a manual override lever which when pushed initiates the pump (it has a fair bit of resitance when trying to push the lever to manual). I tried setting it to manual for about ten minutes and the downstairs radiators heat up red hot! Problem is that unless held the value just pushes the leaver back to auto after about 20 seconds.

I've attached pictures of the pump and valve in question. Am I right in thinking this isn't usual behaviour and pump should be working constantly? If so am i right in saying I will need to replace the valve...and if so is it something I can do myself or am I best to call in the experts?

Any help appreciated.

Jamie

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

sounds like the motorised valve has failed

 

[Jamie123]

sounds like the motorised valve has failed

thanks gas man. Is there anything I can do to confirm this is the case? Are they easy to replace?

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

not unless you can use a meter and are competent with electrical fault finding,they are strait forward for someone like me to replace get a quote off a gsr or competent plumber

 

[Jamie123]

will do. thanks again

 

[mkflow]

might just be the power head that has failed. if so prob cost ya about £40-£50 for parts and no more than an hour call out to fix (max) thats if power head though if whole thing is no good will have to drain down sytem and replace