Diverter valve issue

[smithk77]

Hi all,

I have a halstead 2000 and had various issues trying to get hot water and so far I've done the following replaced the diverter valve, the pressure release valve and the air valve.

For some unknown reason when I turn the hot water the pin in the diverter will not lift. I've taken the valve apart and there is no damage to the diaphragm and the valves all seem to be working, I can manually pull the pin up and if the water is running it will stay up, turn it off it drops down, turn it back on and nothing !!!

I'm at my wits end now so any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[ChrisR]

That's a Wickes 2000? = Halstead Quattro?
What flow rate of hot water do you have, in litres/minute?

Clean & greased pin/spindle??

 

[wull67]

I would still replace the diaphragm, for the cost of £10 or so.
The diaphragm can become stretched, still looks ok but doesn't function as normal.

 

[Gas2Air]

I'd be looking at tubes and filter. If the pressure is ok.

 

[smithk77]

I'm getting 10-12 litres, its a new replacement valve only a few months old, but I'll try greasing the spindle again.

I've just took the valve apart put it back in the boiler and it's now making a noise like air escaping or being squeezed??

I've probably just caused this but what could it be?

 

[smithk77]

I've sorted the hissing out, the diaphragm I changed again today but it still doesn't budge the pin.

I've noticed some water coming from the small holes between the valve and body could this be something sticking or faulty ?

 

[ianmcd]

Hi all,

I have a halstead 2000 and had various issues trying to get hot water and so far I've done the following replaced the diverter valve, the pressure release valve and the air valve.

For some unknown reason when I turn the hot water the pin in the diverter will not lift. I've taken the valve apart and there is no damage to the diaphragm and the valves all seem to be working, I can manually pull the pin up and if the water is running it will stay up, turn it off it drops down, turn it back on and nothing !!!

I'm at my wits end now so any help is greatly appreciated.

Stop just throwing parts at it call someone who knows what they are doing, it will be cheaper in the long run, this is not a hard boiler to fault find on

 

[smithk77]

These are all the things that have failed recently its been one after another so when I replaced the diverter I thought it was the last thing but it's perplexed me as it should be straight forward

 

[JBPHS]

These are all the things that have failed recently its been one after another so when I replaced the diverter I thought it was the last thing but it's perplexed me as it should be straight forward

I'm afraid your going to get this with the quality (and I use the term 'quality' loosely) of boiler. You need someone who will methodically and not just pull new parts apart, etc. before you cause any damage.

Buy cheap, buy twice (minimum).

 

[smithk77]

To be honest the boiler was in when I moved in 13 years ago and other than a few niggles this is the only thing that has caused me an issue.

 

[JBPHS]

Halstead Quattros were last manufactured in 1997. You probably spent (give or take) £120 on a new diverter valve and you haven't rectified the problem?

Looks like my job is safe!

Is it worth spending that sort of money on a 16+ year old boiler?

Is it worth spending that sort of money on a Halstead?

How much more money do you intend on spending to keep it going until the next part fails, such as the fan, pump or PCB?

 

[smithk77]

Only £60 spent for all 3 parts so bonus really. Depends what you call safe I'm no plumber but managed to replace all the parts without the need of one. Was looking for help from experienced people too troubleshoot. I can strip and build a car with no issues so unless you can do that looks like my jobs safe

 

[mogget]

You didn't put in a secondhand diverter valve did you?

Anyhow, you can maybe strip the diverter down to its component parts, clean with detergent, lubricate with silicone grease, put it all back together and it may have a chance of working.

But it's not worth throwing much more money at such an old boiler.

 

[smithk77]

bought one from eBay hoping for an easy fix as planning to move next year, I may just bite the bullet and get a new boiler at this rate lol.

 

[mogget]

The one from ebay has probably been disposed of by the seller because it isn't working properly. Unscrupulous sellers will sometimes label items as new even when they're not. Giving the seller the benefit of the doubt however, if it's been sat on a shelf for years it still could have partially seized.

I had this exact same problem on a Halstead Finest once and stripping the diverter valve down to the last o-ring, cleaning and re-lubricating it solved the problem. It was still working a number of years later when we moved out of the house, so it may be worth a go. If you can strip and rebuild a gearbox, I'm sure you can manage it. Just make sure you use silicone lubricant (you can buy it from Wickes for putting 4 inch drains together), and not any kind of mineral oil based product.

Probably worth a go if you have the time because you may get several more years out of the boiler if it works. Then again, you may not!

I will add to this, don't fiddle with any gas carrying parts. And 'gas' includes combustion products.