Classic Boiler need zone valve help

[milkie62]

24 yrs of trouble free service ---- well mineral buildup finally caused some maintenance and now in a bind. I have 2 zones---one using a 2 way valve and the other zone using a 3 way valve. Had 2 Taco valves all these years and a buddy said to use Honeywell valves since he said they are more reliable. Plumbing supply were out of stock on the 2 way so I got a 2 way Taco and a 3 way Honeywell model 4044 or 8044 . Well just cut out the old and put in the new. The 2 way valve works fine. Did have a little air issue and that seemed odd on an open system. Put in the 3 way and no flow. Pipes stay cold. Reversed it 180 degrees and same thing. Motor is working. Even took the motor off and tried to position the stem centered to force flow still nothing. Tried spinning all way to left or right and still no flow. My nephew said possible that the flow rates are different for the two brands and that all the flow is going to the taco valve. he said to choke it down some and see if you get flow in the 3 way. Going to try it . ready to take out the Honeywell and go back to the Taco brand. Any ideas out there ?

 

[milkie62]

Well I more or less had it figured out and did not know it. I had plumbed the new valve exactly like the original but it was not right. I was dead heading the supply into the return line. Replumbed and problem solved. Needed my plumbing buddy to actually tell me what I had figured out but did not know it.

 

[Marley5]

Glad you got it figured out.

Wow, hope I get 24yrs of service out of my classic.

 

[milkie62]

Glad you got it figured out.

Wow, hope I get 24yrs of service out of my classic.

I do not know about the newer ones but will spend the money on mine to be repaired should I get any leaks. The only hard part will be taking out the spray in foam. Will probably somehow use some standoffs and go with maybe batt insulation.