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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Plumbing Questions >> Is it possible to test a central heating pump? https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1292004296 Message started by JackB on Dec 10^th, 2010, 6:04pm

Title: Is it possible to test a central heating pump?
Post by JackB on Dec 10^th, 2010, 6:04pm

Is it possible to test a central heating pump for efficiency as I'm not sure if ours is pumping round the system as good as it should?

The reason being the rads have never seemed to get really hot. But during the heavy snow last week, two of my rads stopped working compeletly. They were working the day before.

I bled the rad, opened the lockshield valve water came out, opened the TVR and nothing. Thought either blocked, frozen or both.

Up into the loft space, warmed the pipes, opened the TVR, at first a trickle then a small splurge of mucky water then clear. After connecting back up, all the rads got hotter than they have ever been. It stayed like this for about a day then back to normal. Just the odd time they get very hot. Also the boiler knocks off quite soon after being switched on, that's what made me think it might be the pump as it might not be pumping the cooler water away from the boiler quick enough?
Thanks for any replies.
Malc

Title: Re: Is it possible to test a central heating pump?
Post by big_all on Dec 10^th, 2010, 6:47pm

i hope you have several layers off insulation over the pipes at least pipe shaped foam covered with a good layer off loft insulation ::) ::)

you are obviously heating the attic at the expence off the other rooms :o :o

Title: Re: Is it possible to test a central heating pump?
Post by JackB on Dec 10^th, 2010, 7:04pm

Yeah the insulation part is now sorted. But sometimes the rads are really hot and other times they are not.

Title: Re: Is it possible to test a central heating pump?
Post by big_all on Dec 10^th, 2010, 7:24pm

could be several things
what sort off system do you have
someone with more know how will be along soon :-X

Title: Re: Is it possible to test a central heating pump?
Post by thescruff on Dec 10^th, 2010, 8:34pm

Sounds more like a dirty system than anything, sludge or air.