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[Entwood]

In order to fix a small, but annoying, leak in the CH I have drained down the system. Although all radiators were working well with no cold spots, the liquid drained has  quite a lot of "black" in it, so I think a quick cleaning would be in order - don't think it needs a power flush.

Now I need advice .. Fernox F3 as a cleanser, followed by either Fernox F1 or FB1 inhibitor ?? Can't tell the difference from the web site

or is there another/better product

Any ideas in the next couple of hours so I can get the stuff in before it gets cold tonight would be appreciated

Regards

E

[Richie London]

http://www.fernox.com/problem+solving/how+to+sheets/cleaning+a+central+heating+system

hope this helps Mr Kenwood

[TheBoy]

I just use the shitfix stuff. Works well enough.  Also use the shitfix inhibitor.

[Seth]

http://www.fernox.com/problem+solving/how+to+sheets/cleaning+a+central+heating+system

hope this helps Mr Kenwood

Is this bit of any help Nige?

Existing systems
Clean the system using either Cleaner F3 or Powerflushing Cleaner F5, drain and thoroughly flush before dosing with a Fernox Protector F1

 

[paul.lovejoy]

we normally use sentinel x300/x400 and x100 inhibitor avaible jewsons, grahams

http://www.sentinel-solutions.net/product/listing/central-heating/liquids/

[Entwood]

Thanks for the links/tips guys .. still no idea what the actual difference between F1 and FB1 is .. but opted for the F1 version

Had a couple of serious "gotcha's" when re-commissioning ... the drain tap would not fully seal, re-drained (luckily I had not put the Fernox in yet ... it still isn't !!)  and dismantled the valve .. the rubber seal was mostly missing.... .. luckily it was a "screw in" type valve not a soldered one, so a trip to plumbers merchants and a new one purchased/fitted, system refilled and fired up ..... only half the house was getting hot water, obviously either something solid stuck or a massive air-lock ... so turned off all radiators  but left system running then disconnected the feed pipe to one of the "cold" radiators, large volume of shitty black water followed by nice clear water, reconnected and all rads started to heat. Bled system and all is now good.

Intention is to empty/refill a couple of times to wash out as much crud as I can, then stick the Fernox cleaner in for a week, then flush well before adding the inhibitor, hopefully that should sort things out.

The minor leak took less than 5 minutes to fix ... new olive was all it needed !!!  rest of the faffing, including driving to Swidnod to get the fernox and drain valve took a good few hours ...

Why do simple jobs just grow and grow and grow

[paul.lovejoy]

its a plumbing thing thats how they get the extras
at least you did it yourself british gas charge about £800 for that and its not covered under boiler service

[feeutfo]

Our installers reply(we had a new boiler installed a months or so ago) was...

"We use x400 leave it for two weeks, then drainage and refill using x100"

Presume the general idea, is a stronger flush to clean out the carp. Then a permanant less aggressive product to keep said carp at bay.

No idea which is which in the fernox range though. 

[Taxi_Driver]

Mr E......I have just done the exact same on my CH.

I used Fernox DS40.....left it in for nearly a week, and blimey what a difference it made.

Millwall said it was good stuff and how right he was 

Points to note about DS40.....

1.Dont leave it in for more than 4 hours if any part of the system is aluminium.
2.You will have to bleed the rads on a daily basis (tho this is a good indication that the DS40 is doing its jobs at dissolving the limescale)
3.Do not use DS40 if your system is prone to leaks (mine wasnt so that was ok)

One thing i found out, but is probably obvious....

When draining the system down, unless you undo the bleed valves on the rads (to let the air in) the murky water stays in them.
So the process i used to drain the system down.
Let the water out.....when it stops then undo the bleed valves on the upstairs rads....when that stops coming out....undo the bleed valves of the rads downstairs.....dont undo the downstairs ones first.....i made that mistake once 

I filled, pumped, and drained it this way 4 times.....till the water was relatively clear.

Then i used Fernox Protector MB-1

HTH 

[Taxi_Driver]

While your about it Nige, you may want to have a looksy here....

http://www.shadlock.co.uk/energy/heat/chbal.htm

Millwall gave me the link and very informative I found it....

Most of my rads are on outside wallls......so ive been constructing some of these today.....albeit i used hardboard and kitchen foil stuck to it...

http://www.shadlock.co.uk/energy/heat/radeff.htm

The two rads i did today were the living room and dining room.....i had balanced these rads during the week.....and got them to a temp diff of 10C, which i was pleased with....

After fitting the heat reflectors.....the temp diff has changed to 5C, so they do make a difference  and i need to balance those rads again.

PS... I've a laser guided temp sensor.....if you wish to borrow it, to balance your CH