Heating problems?

I have dual-zone gas boiler. The first zone is working just fine - the boiler lights up, heats and pumps the water up. The second zone, however, throws "tantrums". Two days in a row, I had no heat upstairs. I swapped the thermostats (digital) to see if that's where the problem was, but it made no difference. I figured, maybe it was the power head of the zone valve that was old and faulty, so I got a new one. The heat worked.... one day. The next, nothing. The following morning, I gave it a shot again and turned it on - it worked. Tonight, once again, nothing. Water is being sent up, but the furnace doesn't turn on to heat the water.
Anyone got a clue what the problem might be before I call for an expensive professional help?

2006-12-03T08:19:57Z

Yes, I tried bleeding the system.

I know water is being sent up, because I can hear it running through the pipes (it's baseboard heat) while in the room.

Dave2006-12-02T23:03:41Z

Favorite Answer

Probably the valve part of the zone valve is bad. Try disconnecting the power head and set it in the manually open setting. Your t stat for the second zone will be in operable but you'll get heat whenever zone 1 calls for it. Sometimes you have to remove the power head and turn the valve by hand.
How do you know water is being sent up? If zone 1 is working every time zone 2 should be IF water is being sent to that zone.
It could be air in the line also, however not likely if it works sometimes and not others. (an air lock doesn't tend to reform after being freed)

the plumber2006-12-03T06:29:55Z

sounds like yo need a pro
could be the way it is wired or could be simply air in the line did you try to bleed the system of air?