Cleaning an f&e before drain down?

[TerryH]

I have a central heating system to drain down and replace three radiators. I've been 'round to look at the job and had a quick peek in the loft; the water in the f/e tank is absolutely filthy and full of sludge. I don't want to just drain it all through the system because I don't want to allow any muck into the boiler and cause problems there. I know I can bail it out by hand, but am I really just being paranoid???!!!
TerryH

 

[dontknowitall]

Sometimes it's best to go by your instincts and do this differently.

Last one I did I took the risk and drained but then cleaned out the cistern before refilling. (Most of the sludge/muck will stay in the cistern.)

 

[aggis]

Don't let the sludge in the FE go into the system, will cause more problems. Also check with system running if the expansion is pumping over, it'll need sorting as well as flushing system.

 

[mredd]

Bung the feed pipe and suck it out with a wet vac.

 

[WHPES]

Sometimes it's easiest to drain the water leaving the sludge in the cistern, take the cistern off and wash it out in the sink.

 

[plumber0808]

your not being paranoid i have done this in the past when its on a microbore system so it doesnt block up somewhere, 5 minute job just plug the feed, use a sponge and bucket.

 

[pauls]

if i come across really dirty ones i will give it a clean as i dont want problems when i fill up

 

[TerryH]

Thanks for all the replies.
Well, it looks as if I was not being paranoid, what a relief
I'll take the advice; bung it, bail it and wipe it all out. If nothing else I'll feel I've taken an extra precaution......
Thanks again for your time, gents,
Terry H

 

[TerryH]

your not being paranoid i have done this in the past when its on a microbore system so it doesnt block up somewhere, 5 minute job just plug the feed, use a sponge and bucket.

Thanks for your advice..... Just a report back for all of those who helped.... I bunged the outlet and bailed the cistern, cleaned it out thoroughly with towels and certainly FELT much more confident, which is an advantage in itself.... just a few extra minutes of work.
It was a micro-bore system so all I think it was especially necessary, it's certainly something I'll make a habit of
There have been no, 'call backs' so it looks as if there are no other problems.. although being an old micro-bore system it took a long time to warm through.......time to invoice the customer, hurrah!
Thanks again for your time and help, gents,
TerryH

 

[ecowarm]

Terry I think you'll find the system will be in the same state as the tank, hence the reason the system was slow to heat up, micro bore systems should be faster to heat up because low water content and water velosity.

I would suggest a proper powerflush