On 01/04/2015 16:42, GMM wrote:
On 01/04/2015 15:36, tonkski wrote:
I've noticed a drip coming from a c/h radiator valve connection, and
I'm not quite sure exactly what I'm dealing with. Here's a pictu
http://tinypic.com/r/fegh85/8
Having Googled around I think there's an adjustable radiator valve
tail extension. I'm not sure though, I've never fitted one myself.
The drip appears to be coming from where the adjustable valve tail
narrows. The drip seems to be unaffected by the tension of the nut,
but does seem to slow if I lift the radiator up.
It's all a bit horrible, with some awkward boxed-in pipework (not me).
Is there a right way to fix this, or a quick way please?
Sounds like the adjustable tail has failed in some way and lifting it
changes the fit of that stem but it could be almost any other part of
the assembly. Adjustable tails normally mean the rad has replaced an old
imperial one, but you can get fixed-length versions ('extending unions')
that should be more robust. You have to get the right length (smaller is
better than longer) but they don't have the slide-y bit that causes this
problem.
It shouldn't take too much to fix:
Cover everything well to contain the inevitable leaks of black gunge.
Close the valves down. Count the number of turns on the lockshield end
(the one in the photo), so you can re-instate it at the end of the job.
Sometimes, a thermostatic valve doesn't close completely (if there's one
on the other end). Taking the head off and putting a spacer under the
control (a penny works well) will close it completely.
Open the bleed valve to let any pressure out, then close it again.
Loosen the union between the valve and the radiator stem (the chewed up
chrome one in the photo) at each end by half a turn or so.
This should let you lift the radiator off its brackets (hopefully there
will be enough play in the pipework) and lay it down without leaking too
much.
Open the unions completely and (with a bit of luck) you can carry the
radiator outside upside down to drain it where you won't make too much
mess.
It would be a good idea to flush the radiator out while it's off or,
depending on its state etc, you may see this as an opportunity to
replace it with a new one.
Put a new tail on, and reassemble.
Open the valves, check for leaks and bleed the radiator to refill it (if
the system is pressurised you'll probably need to add more
water/pressurise the system).
You'll certainly need to dismantle the tail to see what's going on, and
possibly replace it. To do this, you'll need to drain the radiator.
Whilst the approach described by GMM *might* work, there are too many
things which could wrong - leaving lots of indelible black gunge all
over your carpets. It's far safer to drain the radiator in situ whilst
it's still securely hanging on its brackets.
Put some old towels under both tails. Turn both valves fully off. Open
the bleed screw. Get a large washing-up bowl to receive the water from
the rad. Get a foil food container (e.g. as used for Chinese take-away)
and hold it under one of the tail to valve union nuts. Slacken the nut
until water runs into the foil container. When the container is full,
nip up the nut by hand and empty the container into the bowl. Keep doing
that until no more water comes out - and do the same to the other valve,
where a drop more may come out. When the radiator is empty, fully undo
both union nuts and lift it off its brackets.
WARNING: there will still be some black gunge in the bottom of the
radiator below the level of the tails. To get rid of this. hold the rad
with one tail over the bowl, and slightly raise the other end. Finally,
stuff some kitchen roll into both tails before carrying the rad outside.
--
Cheers,
Roger
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