Leaking overflow and air in radiators

[markelanduk]

Hi all, wonder if anyone can assist with the below ongoing issue. A few weeks ago, our Vaillant boiler developed an F23 fault. A few weeks prior to that, the overflow pipe from the hot water header tank (gravity fed system) began leaking throughout the day on a daily basis. So, a plumber replaced the ball valve assembly on both the hot and cold water header tanks, in addition to replacing the pump on the heating system. The heating and hot water seems to work fine – however, the outside overflow from the hot water tank continues to leak (always seems to be when the hot water and heating are off), and I noticed the cold water tank leaking from the overflow yesterday (when the heating was on). Every day there is also quite a large amount of air in 2 x downstairs radiators; all other radiators in the house, including the upstairs, have no issues with air in them. Any thoughts on what is causing the daily leaking of the hot water overflow tank please, in addition to the daily air in the radiators? Thanks in advance.

 

[dilalio]

Try the pump on a lower speed.
Or if it's an ERP, then look at settings on it.

 

[markelanduk]

Thanks for your response. The pump was switched from a maximum of 3 to a setting of 2 a couple of weeks ago. Didn't seem to make any difference. Do you think that there could be a leak on the system?

 

[dilalio]

Turn water supply off to f&e tank.
If overflow keeps running then could be blocked cold feed into CH pipework.

Or, if it's below the cold water tank then may also be pinhole in cylinder coil.

If both cisterns are overflowing, you could have several issues.

Are the overflows connected?

Does it happen when CH and HW are off and have cooled down?

Tbh, it's difficult without being there. Can only make suggestions for things to rule out!

 

[markelanduk]

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

A bit unorthodox I know but I poured some strong aftershave into the hot water header tank and within a short while, I could smell it strongly from all the hot sink taps.

I'm guessing that suggests a leak in the cylinder?

 

[Stuckinarut]

A bit unorthodox I know but I poured some strong aftershave into the hot water header tank and within a short while, I could smell it strongly from all the hot sink taps.

Header/F&E cistern or cold water cistern that feds the cylinder to replenish water used?

I'm guessing that suggests a leak in the cylinder?

No, I'm guessing you poured it in the wrong cistern.

Is the issue a new issue I take it? Have you had any work carried out recently? Any mixer taps in the property? As @dilalio says, could be several things and questions need to be answered or you call the plumber back or engage with a different one.

Photos are useful if we're to carry on assisting

 

[dilalio]

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

A bit unorthodox I know but I poured some strong aftershave into the hot water header tank and within a short while, I could smell it strongly from all the hot sink taps.

I'm guessing that suggests a leak in the cylinder?

Errr! No!
Cold water storage tank feeds the hot water cylinder and will come out of your hot taps! Lol!

 

[markelanduk]

Hi, so of the 2 x plastic tanks in the loft, I definitely poured the aftershave in the smaller tank. I was led to believe by 2 x engineers that this is referred to as the hot water tank; the larger tank being the cold water one. It's the hot water plastic tank which has been leaking from the outside overflow for a few weeks.

An engineer who attended yesterday said that the only way the aftershave could come out of our hot water taps is if there is a pinhole like in the cylinder.

I'll be able to provide some photos later if that helps. Thanks again.

 

[dilalio]

this is referred to as the hot water tank;

F&E tank, header tank for CH

the larger tank being the cold water one

CWSC for both domestic Hot and Cold water.

 

[dilalio]

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

A bit unorthodox I know but I poured some strong aftershave into the hot water header tank and within a short while, I could smell it strongly from all the hot sink taps.

I'm guessing that suggests a leak in the cylinder?

Sounds like a pinholed coil but your naming of the tanks is confusing things.