Oh bugga, i think that mine (central heating pump) has just gone kaput :(

Boiler makes big clanking noises after starting, before cutting out and hissing, and the rads aren't getting warm.

Are there any obvious things to be aware of before replacing the existing pump??? Such as:

Would hitting the existing pump with a big hammer possibly make it work again.

If i unscrewed the big silver thingy in the middle of the pump, does this allow access to the spinny bit (thus check it is is indeed spinning)?

Do all pumps have the same "inlet to outlet" length, so a replacement will fit in the gap?

Is the wiring simple - i.e. will the replacement pump have the same connections as the old (4 year old) pump??

mb (thank god it isn't winter!)

If you undo the silver slotted disc in the middle of the pump and put a small screwdriver in the hole you should be able to feel if the spindle is spinning or not, you should also check if you have 240v on the live terminal if you are comfortable doing so. Standard domestic pumps are 130mm flange to flange, all wiring will still compatable, and lastly hitting it with a hammer does sometimes work......!

Mog

Thanks for the info Mog!

So i bought a nice 130mm pump, and the instructions seemed pretty straightforward, so this morning i set about installing the replacement.

Aaaaaaaaarrrrrggggggghhhhhhhhh!

Attempting to turn off the lock valve sent water streaming out - summat had gone oops inside :(

Thus a five minute (ok, a couple of hours for me) job has become a major exercise. Luckily i have managed to find a replacement lock valve of a similar size (barely half an inch to play with in the piping), so tomorrow i will attempt the bigger job. It sounds like Mr Blow Lamp might have some work to do though :(

Oh, and it is raining ;)

Life eh, never simple!

mb