radiators not working

[hotpink]

i have a back boiler and water tank, and i dont know the first thing about things like this. the boiler behind the fireplace has been making spooky noises for the past few months, and last winter the upstairs radiator in one of the bedrooms stopped working. (gradually... it was hot at the bottom, and cold at the top, then eventually was cold all the time).... anyway, now the other radiator upstairs has started going cold at the top. basically i want to know what to do. i have very very very little spare cash.

[ChuckFickens]

first thing I'd say is bleed the rads

http://diydata.com/problem/central_heating/ble ed.php

[ChuckFickens]

well at least we agree doc :)

[hotpink]

well, both my father in law, and step dad have tried doing this. my step dad brought his key to do it, but it wasnt the right size, so he went to the diy shop to get a smaller one... and the guy says u cant get smaller ones??!

[hotpink]

:( would it be worth phoning someone to service my boiler? (and how much am i loking at).... or should i take out the british gas insurance (and then if it is on its way out, im covered?). any suggestions would be a help. thank you

[Naomicorlett]

Just a thought but was the radiator key being applied to the right side of the radiator ?? The keys generally come in a standard fit.. It does sound like air in the rads. Make sure you have a cloth handy and DON'T take the plug out completely just loosen it until you hear the air hissing. Do it with the heating off.

[chas2008]

unlikely to get gas insurance, the system is to old..they want to survey it first then condemn it...
Its not always a bleed issue although this is usually the first thing to do. It may be just a build up of sludge in the bottom of the rads restricting the flow ,one trick is to turn all the other rads (apart from the faulty ones) off so it pushes all the water to the rads that are not working hopefully clearing it.failing that they may have to come off and be flushed through with a hose.