Central heating 3 way valve replacement

Heating is coming on with the hot water and there is a clicking sound from the 3 way valve…….

So, is it an easy DIY job to put in a new valve or plumber time?

Its a standard Honeywell unit in the airing cupboard and the system is a bog standard gravity fed gas boiler job

You can just replace the electric actuator from the top, providing the valve itself is ok. Easy job then.

How would I know the valve is still OK?

Take the top off, move the valve around with a spanner, check the heating does what you expect.

You can just replace the electric actuator from the top, providing the valve itself is ok. Easy job then.

Older ones don’t have a detachable actuator

Actuator should have a lever one it to move it manually, if you move that and things work the valve is okay.

The head you need is for a V4073A valve. You may need an adaptor plate but only if its a really really old valve body.

cool thanks – I’ll go and have a play!

Valve is from 2001 so reasonably old?

No, the plate is for valves from about 20+ years ago. You’ll be fine.

Heating is coming on with the hot water and there is a clicking sound from the 3 way valve…….

My 3 way valve is always a bit troublesome this time of year but usually sorts itself out after a week or so – it’s just a bit sticky after not being used over the summer. The problem just might resolve itself if you give some time.

Our old system went through about 4 actuators and two valves ( the actuators became obsolete). If it’s a common actuator, and youcan find it cheap it’s probaly worth having a spare.

I have this issue too. Can anyone post a picture of the valve / spanner twiddling bit before I call out a repair guy?

Be careful as they only move around 15 degrees.

Obviously you don’t need to take it off first!

You may not need the whole actuator, just the synchron motor, which saves money, and is easy to replace.

If you go to a plumber’s merchants, get a choice of a genuine honeywell part or a generic copy. The copy will be a lot cheaper, and we’ve had no problems with ours.