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[Sir Tigger KC]

My mates Mum (96) has an ancient central heating system with a monster of a gas boiler that squats on the floor in the kitchen and flat panel radiators with huge bakelite knobs on the valves. 

Anyway it's not doing too good right now. Firstly, the radiators sound as if they are half empty and you can hear the water rushing through them, and secondly when the hot water comes on the radiators get hot as well. Not ideal at this time of year. Although I haven't looked at it, I've assumed that the first issue with the rads is something to do with the header tank and the system isn't getting topped up and the second issue is a knackered 2 way valve. 

Their regular plumber told them it was time for a new system last time he went and is now not responding to my mates calls or texts. Frankly and sadly, his Mum isn't going to around much longer, so he'd rather keep this system going for the duration, rather than put his Mum through the disruption of have a new system installed.

I don't really want to get too involved, but I might have a look if he struggles to find a new plumber.  So what do the central heating experts think of my diagnoses? 

[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

Got to be worth sitting down in front of it with a brew and the Youtubes and having a go.

[Kevin Wood]

As you say, possibly a siezed motorised valve keeping the CH on if it has such a thing.
Often in older systems they just turned the pump off when CH not required and they could then circulate a bit by gravity.
Sounds worth investigating the header tank, if it has one. Often they'd have a primatic hot water tank by which means the CH would be topped up and they're properly bonkers, and very prone to getting the system in a bad way if the primary and secondary water don't stay separate.
Does she have an immersion heater that would cover the hot water demand this time of year?

Kevin