Any plumbers out there?

[peanut]

Yep thats the system waters cooling and allowing the pressure to drop, any sign of water outside at the discharge pipe?

Colin

No sign of any water on the outside pipe.

Trying to find someone with a pump....would a foot pump work?

Boiler just fired up, pressure now up to 1.2 bar but pressure light is still on.

[veggiechicken]

Ooooh, the suspense...........

[peanut]

Have to say this has turned out to be a really rather fun time!!!

Thanks all for making things that little bit less stressful.

[veggiechicken]

We're the ones with stress now, peanut! Wait until tomorrow when Potty tells you why you need a bike pump

[peanut]

Ooh er

I now have a foot pump...its the type you push onto a valve and then lock it on with a lever...if you know what I mean.

Just thought....I've got a tyre pump for the car.....but it plugs into the cigarette lighter......

[veggiechicken]

Calling all Cyclists, calling all Cyclists. This is an emergency!!!
If there are any cyclists within pedalling distance of peanut in Cambridgeshire, would they cycle there immediately, pumps primed and ready for action.....

[peanut]

Calling all Cyclists, calling all Cyclists. This is an emergency!!!
If there are any cyclists within pedalling distance of peanut in Cambridgeshire, would they cycle there immediately, pumps primed and ready for action.....

Could we just add to that....tall, single, gorgoeus men especially welcomed!!

[veggiechicken]

That is a bit limiting, peanut, but I'm sure Potty will cycle through the night for you

[Potstubsdustbins]

Don't worry to much about the low pressure warning light That may just be a side issue.

I think we have just about sussed the problem a little advanced DIY is in order.

I will explain first so you are not in the dark.

Yours is what we call a sealed system i.e. there are no water tanks in the loft. Feed water is supplied as you know through the filling loop. But as already explained when water is heated it expands and there must be somewhere for this extra volume to go otherwise something would burst 'the expansion vessel'. If I am right yours is right on the front of your boiler a large round bright red bit.

The expansion vessel is divided in two by an internal rubber membrane on one side is the system waters (wet side) and on the other is pressurised air (dry side). What I believe as happened is either the dry side has lost some of its air pressure or the rubber membrane has sprung a leak. The symtoms would be the same in either case. You top up the pressure and fire the boiler, the water expands with no where to go so blows off down the discharge pipe, this lowers the pressure and as the waters cool the pressure drops below an acceptable level and the controls turn off the boiler.

Don't do anything until you have a suitable pump or you will stop the boiler working.

On the expansion vessel is a schrader valve exactly the same as on a bike inner tube it would usually have a small black plastic cap to cover it. Remove the cap and using a matchstick or something similar carefully depress the center pin in the valve, you will find one of three things happens. (a) Nothing, good. (b) A small hiss of air good. (c) a trickle of water very bad. If you get water you will need an engineer to fit a new expansion vessel.

If you get either of the first two take your pump and pump up the expansion vessel until your pressure gauge reads 3 bar, remove pump and drop in a little soapy water to check for air leaks. If you get a air leak you will need to replace the inners of the schrader valve Halfords will sell you a small tool and buy the cheapest cycle inner tube they have you shuold get the whole lot for less than a £5ver. Simple unscrew the inners from the tyre and screw the new valve into the expansion vessel. Pump up until your gauge reads 3 bar.

At this stage you may get some discharge from the outside pipe don't worry that is supposed to happen. Run the boiler for a full 24 hours and check the pressure gauge if it has fallen below 1 bar pump it back up to 3 bar and repeat. Twice is usually enough to recharge the dry side of the vessel.

As an aside don't bother calling an engineer to replace the schrader valve unless he is an old hand he won't know what your talking about as it is usual these days to just change the vessel and charge big money.

Colin

[Potstubsdustbins]

The foot pump will do just fine. I don't do cycling its them saddles Mrs.

Colin

[Potstubsdustbins]

Could we just add to that....tall, single, gorgoeus men especially welcomed!!

Well thats me out then I can only do tall.

Potty

[peanut]

Ok.....will either my footpump or car tyre pump work? (but how would i get the car pump to work in the house). The foot pump works on a wheelbarrow tyre!

[peanut]

Oops....ignore last!

[peanut]

Well thats me out then I can only do tall.

Potty

I think you is very gorgeous!!!

[peanut]

When should i do all this? Am i waiting to see if it is needed?