Boiler Fill - refilling with antifreeze - any thoughts?

Property & Home
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Hi all,

I wonder if someone has experienced this and can give me some advice.

I’ve had my place in Massif de Bauges for 6 years now, and struggled on with the old boiler, then ignored it, and now I want to get it running again… simply to use up all the heating oil I have in the cellar, as there is probably a few years worth for my needs.

Its an old boiler, with a small hot water balloon, and a huge burner on the top to fire things up.

I had to have a 4 way valve removed and replaced (it got jammed shut), and so that has been done, but in order to get the radiator heating circuit going, I think I need to refill the system.

I have had a quote to do this from a different plumber to the first guy, because the first guy didnt do reinstating… how odd… and frankly it is a silly amount of money for what I need doing.

For context, the boiler fires up, is clearly heating the water, but is then shutting down… and I think it is simply due to their not being enough water in the circuit/pipes, so it gets to temperature very quickly, and then stops the burner from firing.

I think that basically most of the system got drained down during the 4 way valve installation, and just refilling it will probably do what i need… if not then I can try other things like putting a new pump in places.

So… to the question.

Does anyone have experience of refilling a heating system? The second plumber made mention of special equipment to do so. Obviously in a rather basic fashion, I could start filling from the top of the heating system (the top radiator)… but that might not be a very good system.

Does anyone know what kind of equipment he is thinking about, or have any suggestions for how to fill the system back up?

NB - I would of course add a couple of shut off valves when doing it, as it doesnt have any, and I guess add a filling loop type arrangement, to save hassle later down the line…

Thanks for any help.

Ben

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Ours (30+ years) has a pressure gauge hidden behind it with a virtually inaccessible top-up stop cock.

If this going to cost a huge amount why not sell the oil, and install a modern non fioul system?Depending on your status you might even get a grant to help,

2 Likes
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Ben if the system has been drained for any length of time corrosion would have set in. The system should have a powerflush which can take 1/2 day or more. The additive to prevent further corrosion could be around €300, once filled and run for a while. Could be a week the water should be tested and pH adjusted along with any other adjustments. Doing it properly is not a cheap or quick process.

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Hi Jane, thanks for this. Yeah sadly no obvious top-up system anywhere.
Regarding selling the oil, it’s down in the basement so I think it would be a fair old faff to get it back up again, and then finding somone who wants ‘used’ heating oil… but you never know!

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There should be a gauge showing pressure - usually denoted red and green around the edge.

There should be a simple filling loop off the cold water supply - there may be multiple valves if it’s old - but you normally just turn the tap/valves - bring to pressure (green on the gauge) and close. Cold water pipe - boiler - just trace the connection.

You’ll need to bleed rads and repeat.

But make sure there’s a drain for the system before filling - otherwise it’s more fun fitting one when it’s full

Filling/topping rads up is simple - adding additives less so. You need to remove one of top blanks/venting valves on the top corner of a radiator. Then using funnels and tubes pour the additive into the radiator - close up and then fill. There are cleaners/anti freeze/ inhibitors out there

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https://www.fioulmoinscher.fr/Petites-annonces-fioul

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Thanks Chris.

Yeah you would think that there was a simple filling loop… but there definitely isnt… unless it is hiding inside the main unit of the boiler somewhere I havent seen… its a very old system… and no guages anywhere, apart from a pressure release valve.

I’ll have another look next time I am out, but i’m pretty sure there isnt one, and the previous quoted plumber had some mention about installing a filling loop on his quote.

Hehehe, agreed, fitting a drain is a good plan… I think I am going to have to fit both filler and drain.

Rads, yeah removing the blanks/venting valves makes sense and then using a funnel etc sounds like a way to go.

I think I will have to essentially find parts for these jobs, and then just have a go at it when I am out there next.

Thanks for the advice.

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Thanks Jane, this is a great link, cheers