Overflow into small f&e tank - coil broken or power flushing needed - or both

[helon]

water overflows into small f&e tank, about one bucket every 30 mins, is slightly rusty colored, have traditional system, hw cylinder 30+ years old, pumped heating, vented system, radiators also mostly quite old (30+ years), heating works well, NOW MY PROBLEM - one plumber says there is a split in hwc, the other one says the system is just jammed up, needs power flushing, which one is right? pointless changing hwc though in course of that job some flushing out needs to be done anyway. Want to mention that tap water (hold and cold) are perfectly clear. I REALLY NEED SOME GOOD ADVICE, THIS DRIVES ME NUTS! Thanks to all who post a reply

 

[centralheatking]

Are you certain the brown water is entering the F&E tank ...there will be two. F&E is the small one the other is the high level cold water storage tank which will operate whenever you run hot water in your home. If the coil in your cylinder were to have split then your hot water would smell and then be discolured ...esp in the bath water. Where is the 'bucket' of dirty water going ...out the overflow I hope.
If I am correct then 1. dirty brown water should not be in your primary heating system if it had been treated and filtered but if you have neglected it for 30 years expect it.
I would go with Plumber two BUT get him to free off the 3 way valve first stop the flow going the wrong way then get him to ....maybe flush it thro with cold water. Tell the others what boiler you have
centralheatking

 

[SJB060685]

If the system is installed correctly then you shouldn't be pumping over. The first thought is a split in coil and most probable cause. Is the water going up and over vent into f and e or rising through system?

 

[helon]

Are you certain the brown water is entering the F&E tank ...there will be two. F&E is the small one the other is the high level cold water storage tank which will operate whenever you run hot water in your home. If the coil in your cylinder were to have split then your hot water would smell and then be discolured ...esp in the bath water. Where is the 'bucket' of dirty water going ...out the overflow I hope.
If I am correct then 1. dirty brown water should not be in your primary heating system if it had been treated and filtered but if you have neglected it for 30 years expect it.
I would go with Plumber two BUT get him to free off the 3 way valve first stop the flow going the wrong way then get him to ..maybe flush it thro with cold water. Tell the others what boiler you have
centralheatking

If the system is installed correctly then you shouldn't be pumping over. The first thought is a split in coil and most probable cause. Is the water going up and over vent into f and e or rising through system?

Overflow goes into f&e tank (the small one) not through the overhanging vent pipe but is rising through system (the inlet at the bottom of the tank), as mentioned hot and cold running water clear, one of the plumbers said because of positioning of the small and large tank (base is at same level in loft, but obiously cold storage tank water level much higher) the difference in levels makes water push into coil and therefore dirty (light rust color) heating water goes into f&e - all a bit mysterious for me but thats why I ask for help
[automerge]1579012377[/automerge]

If the system is installed correctly then you shouldn't be pumping over. The first thought is a split in coil and most probable cause. Is the water going up and over vent into f and e or rising through system?

goes into small f&e tank not via vent hanging over edge, but from opening at bottom of tank

 

[SJB060685]

Split in coil then I'm afraid

 

[Andrew thomas]

If still unsure, test yourself, turn mains stop tap off, drain hw out, leave over night and if f&e still overflows it's not the cylinder and visa versa

 

[John.g]

Overflow goes into f&e tank (the small one) not through the overhanging vent pipe but is rising through system (the inlet at the bottom of the tank), as mentioned hot and cold running water clear, one of the plumbers said because of positioning of the small and large tank (base is at same level in loft, but obiously cold storage tank water level much higher) the difference in levels makes water push into coil and therefore dirty (light rust color) heating water goes into f&e - all a bit mysterious for me but thats why I ask for help
[automerge]1579012377[/automerge]

goes into small f&e tank not via vent hanging over edge, but from opening at bottom of tank

Very easy to confirm if coil, just ensure no usage of hot or cold water (fed from CWST) if CWST ball cock still making up then coil is split/holed.