ASHP Air purger leak

[Roundtuit]

I've just returned home from a few days away and found the ashp has stopped due to a low pressure fault.  I've re-pressuried so it's running, but the cause appears to be a steady drip from the air purger (centre in the picture). Any advice on cause or fix pls?  Easy to replace? (Hitachi Yutaki split system).

 

[Beelbeebub]

It's a standard component (though I have not seen one with the hose outlet before), any plumber should be able to swap it out for you.

 

If you are a competent diyer you should be able to do it, just need some spanners and PTFE tape.

 

[Roundtuit]

Cheers. I'll diy it if possible. There's nothing to get a spanner on to, so I'm guessing grips is the way forward. 

[dpmiller]

short term you could just screw a car valve cap onto the outlet?

[Beelbeebub]

3 minutes ago, dpmiller said:

short term you could just screw a car valve cap onto the outlet?

I've never met an automatic air valve that didn't eventually leak 

 

In a sealed system they are only needed initially when the system is filled and for the first few cycles when any dissolved gasses come out of solution.  

 

So I either fit a manual valve and just bleed it a few times over the "break in" period.

 

Or I fit an automatic valve and then screw the cap closed after the break in period.

[Roundtuit]

So, 12 months on, the over-priced Hitachi-approved replacement part has failed and I'm back to square one.  Before I get stroppy with the supplier, is there any potential underlying cause of failure I need to investigate?

[JohnMo]

Just swop it out for one with a manual isolation screw. Instead of an always open tube.

 

Something like one of these

https://www.monsterplumb.co.uk/auto-bottle-air-vent-1-2-top-vent