After about a year of no use, the sub zero temparatures have prompted me to get my central heating back in order (the electric fans are lightening my pockets daily!).
The Servowarm CH system in my house is pretty ancient - no idea on the model number etc. Brief description of it:
- Gravity fed system with expansion tank on 3rd floor of the house
- Master radiator on second floor concealing the boiler with access to pilot light beneath. Radiotor is on a hinge and opens out like a door giving access to the pump (grundfos)
- Only 2 further radiators on the ground floor (all of which have been bled)
Issue with the system:
- Pilot light will not stay lit. When holding the gas release button and igniting it works fine, I have tried holding this down for varying times however on release of the button the flame always goes out
- When I turn on the CH system there is a bit of noise from the boiler. Sounds to me like it could be water flowing but not really sensing much action with the pump - when I adjust the 3 phase settings on it, the pump lets of a similar dull groan (no loud noises) Not sure what to expect in terms of noise etc from the pump?
Have been advised it could be one of the following:
- Knackered Thermocouple. Any ideas how to check for this? If it is the thermocouple will a universal one fit my Servowarm
- Pump not pushing enough water to the boiler - if the pump seized would there still be some movement of water? Would this effect the pilot light from staying lit?
- Air block - not sure how to check for this. No signs of any issues when I bled the rads. Couldn’t imagine that this would prevent the Pilot from igniting.
Anyone familiar with this sort of system? Any feedback other than sacking off my current system and buying a new one is welcome? And yes, I have called round a corgi plumber - would like to have as good an understanding as possible before his visit; especially as I have been advised most stay clear of servowarm systems.
Cheers all
The Servowarm CH system in my house is pretty ancient - no idea on the model number etc. Brief description of it:
- Gravity fed system with expansion tank on 3rd floor of the house
- Master radiator on second floor concealing the boiler with access to pilot light beneath. Radiotor is on a hinge and opens out like a door giving access to the pump (grundfos)
- Only 2 further radiators on the ground floor (all of which have been bled)
Issue with the system:
- Pilot light will not stay lit. When holding the gas release button and igniting it works fine, I have tried holding this down for varying times however on release of the button the flame always goes out
- When I turn on the CH system there is a bit of noise from the boiler. Sounds to me like it could be water flowing but not really sensing much action with the pump - when I adjust the 3 phase settings on it, the pump lets of a similar dull groan (no loud noises) Not sure what to expect in terms of noise etc from the pump?
Have been advised it could be one of the following:
- Knackered Thermocouple. Any ideas how to check for this? If it is the thermocouple will a universal one fit my Servowarm
- Pump not pushing enough water to the boiler - if the pump seized would there still be some movement of water? Would this effect the pilot light from staying lit?
- Air block - not sure how to check for this. No signs of any issues when I bled the rads. Couldn’t imagine that this would prevent the Pilot from igniting.
Anyone familiar with this sort of system? Any feedback other than sacking off my current system and buying a new one is welcome? And yes, I have called round a corgi plumber - would like to have as good an understanding as possible before his visit; especially as I have been advised most stay clear of servowarm systems.
Cheers all
. time to splashout on some proper heating.
