Do my CH pipes look right? Getting frustrated now!

[bizzlebest]

Hi all,

I've had F23 error on my Vaillant ecofit pure because of CH system. My rads are not heating up properly. I've replaced the 3 way mid position valve, and taken the head off the Grundfos UPS2 and cleaned out the impeller. I've run Sentinel x400 for 4 weeks now, prior to this I drained the system down a few times until there was no visible magnetite. I've cleaned out the F&E tank. I've emptied the Fernox TF1 filter twice weekly since I added the X400. The previous owner had the boiler replaced and had a powerflush to the tune of 1500 from BG. There's no air stuck as far am I'm aware.

I decided to run a fridge magnet along the pipework in the airing cupboard and its sticking to the section marked in red, is this normal place for restrictions to occur?
The boiler is downstairs in the kitchen. This layout looks weird to me, and the filter looks like its in the wrong place? I'm losing my marbles. Can anyone describe the flow of water from the boiler for me?

Any help appreciated. Cheers!

 

[Gasmk1]

I presume that the 22 and 15 mm of the top are expansion and cold feed if so then this could be where the magnetite collects so worth Maybe cutting out and checking

 

[bizzlebest]

I presume that the 22 and 15 mm of the top are expansion and cold feed if so then this could be where the magnetite collects so worth Maybe cutting out and checking

I think you're right. Cheers!

 

[king of pipes]

You've gone to alot of effort to diagnose the problem I suggest you drain the system and remove that section of pipework if it's blocked then maybe you can remove it , or replace it . Kop

 

[bizzlebest]

You've gone to alot of effort to diagnose the problem I suggest you drain the system and remove that section of pipework if it's blocked then maybe you can remove it , or replace it . Kop

Cut and cleared out the blockage and replaced with compression fittings. Heating up rapidly now, hasn't been this hot and fast in ages! However I've got massive pump over into the f+e tank which is annoying

 

[king of pipes]

Try lowering the pump speed ??

 

[bizzlebest]

Try lowering the pump speed ??

Pump speed was 2, but I've got it on 1 and it still does it, boiler stat 75degrees and the flow reaches it quick and holds it. All the radiators are toasty and evenly hot. Really chuffed with the outcome apart from the pumping over!!

 

[king of pipes]

Post a picture of how it's piped cold feed vent and pump ??

 

[John.g]

Pump speed was 2, but I've got it on 1 and it still does it, boiler stat 75degrees and the flow reaches it quick and holds it. All the radiators are toasty and evenly hot. Really chuffed with the outcome apart from the pumping over!!

Have you read the whole thread with the same title in Diynot ? (I am Johntheo5)

IF the pump over is via the vent and back through the cold water feed&expansion pipe then I would suggest (very) temporarily sticking a bung in the vent and see if the feed&expansion pipe cools down, if so, either convert it like my system (Diynot) or else (only IF the cold water feed is 15mm) remove the 15mm cold feed & blank it and connect the 22mm? in its place from the F&E tank, do not fit an isolation valve to this pipe, when refilling the system, do so very slowly as you are now using the 22mm pipe to vent air while refilling or better again install a isolation valve on the mains makeup to the F&E tank and just crack it open while refilling.

 

[Last Plumber]

It can be converted to sealed if you can't resolve this issue.

 

[John.g]

It can, but if the "OV" system is still the preferred way then converting the above re post #9 will more than likely work and will almost certainly work if converted to "my" system below. Someone on here I think did this when the properly installed VCP system still suffered air ingress and had no more problems.