On Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:02:49 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Liquorice"
wrote:

On Tue, 18 Dec 2012 10:40:51 +0000, T i m wrote:

Are they gate valves or ball valves?

Ball.

Good they almost certainly will shut off properly.

As it turned out ... the both 'shut off' but neither did so
'properly'. ;-)

Were they easy to
turn, with just a little bit of resistance?

Initially no, then eased up once 'worked' a bit.

No damage in the slot in the
picture so I guess they were, this is good sign.

Yup, turned with the Leatherman PST II big flat blade with the tool
used like a ratchet brace. Once moved, they moved much easier.

Can you see signs of that (rust on the body under the top nut) in this
pic?

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/5772409/Myson%20Unit%203a.png

Doesn't look to bad for rust. Might be a bit stiff to start.

Yup.

If we do replace the valves, are these worth the extra would you say
please (I'll check her pipework is actually 22m etc).

Looking at the pic and what you have said I don't think you will need to
replace the valves. Just get rubber/synthetic washers washers, the pump
will probably come with fibre bung those in the bin.

Luckily it seems the new Grundfos 15/50's come with (what looks like)
rubber washers. The valves seeped sufficiently that we didn't want to
leave the joint open to stop to eat. The upper one had half filled a
plastic measuring jug in about 10 mins and the seep couldn't be
lessened no mater how I tweaked the valve. Good enough to allow the
job to be done without drain down though and it would be quicker next
time with the siliconed greased threads and the rubber washers.

However (and a slightly sobering thought), there might not be a 'next
time' for her and that pump. She reckons the Myson pump that was in
there was the original from about 27 years ago (but she could well
have forgotten).

Not sure if
Screwfix/Tolstation/the sheds carry them but a decent plumbers merchant
ought to.

As it happens the local merchant did me a good deal and the pump was
cheaper than SF. My second big pump pliers (two pairs seem a good
idea) were another 15 and he threw in a small tin of silicone grease.
;-)

She paid for the bits, we (the Mrs and I) did the job (it was handy to
have a second pair of hands on the rags and inspection lamp etc).

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/5772409/New%20pump.png

Shame it had to go on upside down (but from the link you gave
previously, and the supplied instructions, that was a valid (if not
ideal) position).

I noticed the Myson pump was on flow level 1 so I put the new one on
the same setting (for starters at least).

A couple of points might still need attention (in the spring)?

1) It might enjoy a flush and re-fill with new inhibitor.

2) She mentioned that although most of the rads were fitted with
TRV's, 'they didn't work'?

I've never setup such things but assume that ignoring any overall
balancing, each room rad stat valve should do it's own thing and limit
the room upper temperature to something predictable? She also
suggested this was the second lot they had tried?

Anyway, all the best and thanks to you and all for your help. It all
helps give a bit more confidence on things you aren't doing very often
(or in my case, ever before). ;-)

T i m