Boiler fires up for 15 seconds then stops. All aspects of plumbing questions and answers, help, tips and information

[giles]

The boiler fires up for a very vshort time and then goes out. The flow and return pipes coming of the boiler are hot. Im not getting any hot water or central heating. Am i right in thinking that my pump isn't working....it sounds noisy. There is also a lot of air in the system..please help

[htg engineer]

It depends on the type of system you have, if it's a fully pumped system then yes it may be that the pump isn't working.

If it's a gravity hot water system, then it's more than likely to be airlocked or blocked, as the pump doesn't run for heating the water.

Try venting all upstairs radiators, to let any trapped air escape. And try to access the pump to see if it is running.

[SweetB plumber]

On the front of the pump there will probably be a large screw. Turn off power to the pump and then undo the screw and remove it. You should then be able to get a flat bladed screwdriver in and turn the pump to free it up. Put screw back and turn power back on. Does sound very likely to be air.