I’M Not In Hot Water!

[Bramleyboy]

When we came back from holiday this year and switched on our heating, we had heating but no hot water. I traced the problem to the little electric valve on the hot water pipe. With the little lever on the valve in the locked position we have hot water

[Tilly2]

How did the little lever become unlocked?

[spathiphyllum]

sometimes boilers have a default setting when not used a lot. mine has multiple settings, winter, summer, central heating, tap, all..

If the 'tap' setting is on, it will not do any central heating

[Bramleyboy]

It didn’t become unlocked. It just stays in the halfway position normally. I have never looked or touched it before. What does it do? Can I leave it? Bramley

[SparklyKid]

The post is confusing. I presume it is the 3 way diverter valve.

[retrocop]

sounds like you are describing a 3 way diverter valve. It controls the flow of water and directs it to whatever your programmer is set at. i.e. If you programme central heating a small electric motor alters the flow to radiators only. Likewise it can alter it's ports to have hot water only and or both at same time.Sometimes through warer lime scale the port jams so there is a small lever at side which can be manually operated.

[retrocop]

Apropos
If the electric motor is Kaput you can buy a new one without replacing the complete diverter valve with all the plumbing it would entail.

[AuntLydia]

So to clarify, you now have hot water and heating? If so leave well alone.

I've had this problem on a oil boiler so this may not be relevant but when you turn on the hot water tap an electric signal goes to the valve to open it to allow the cold water to be heated up ( combi boiler) If you have problem with signals this can stop the hot water getting heated.
Turn on your boiler to heat hot water only and try this. Next try it set just heating and see if it works. Finally try heating and hot water and see if you get both. If not get a plumber.

[AuntLydia]

retrocop said it so much better than me !

[SparklyKid]

when you turn on the hot water tap an electric signal goes to the valve to open it to allow the cold water to be heated up


No it does not. It works on the water pressure,I do wish posters would not talk about something they know nothing about.

[retrocop]

https://www.screwfix.com/p/drayton-ma1-679-3-3-port-motorised-valve-22mm/81844

[SparklyKid]

The diverter valve responds to thermostat settings for CH and HW

[Bramleyboy]

I put this post in DIY, where did chatterbank come from? Hello, Retrocop, I’ve given up on Penge! But how can this be a 3 way valve on a single pipe. I have 3 pipes, marked HW; Heating; and UF (underfloor). I agree with scaling etc. So do I need to have the electric part replaced or the whole thing or just leave it down on the notch? The other two are just halfway! Bramley

[SparklyKid]

Just to clarify, a combi boiler works differently to a gravity fed boiler.

[retrocop]

Some good advice on this link.
I am certainly no expert on plumbing and central heting but have twice experienced Bramleyboy's problem. First time complete diverter valve exchange. Second time just a new motor (cheaper)
https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/change-out-repair-of-3-way-diverter-valve.296193/

[Bramleyboy]

Sorry, RC, I meant to ask do you know where I may buy an electric part and what are they called? Bramley.

[retrocop]

BramleyBoy
In the above link towards the bottom of the Q & A you can see advice on how to hopefully "free off" a jammed shaft in the valve.
I don't think I can offer any other advice as I am not an expert. I have a gravity fed boiler not a combi btw.

[retrocop]

I would imagine a shop like plumbase would stock them.
Does your valve with lever look like the one shown on this short video clip.


If it isn't then I am describing the problems I encountered with that type

[retrocop]

These are the replacement motors if needed
https://www.amazon.co.uk/honeywell-motor/s?page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ahoneywell%20motor