Broken radiator drain valve?

[markwm]

I noticed a little drip under my radiator drain valve. I tightened it up and it just kept on turning as if it weren't in the the thread

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/11074...lves/Radiator-Valve-With-Drain-Off-15mm-x-1-2

In fact I can pull the square pin completely out of the valve. Is it broken? It's in the closed position, how exactly do you I drain my system now (combi boiler) to replace the valve?

 

[doitall]

I think best to change it quick or get the buckets on standby.

 

[Deleted member 105431]

the washer has jammed stuck, but could free itself and flood the place is tou leave the square ended threaded bit out. Personally I would turn both ends off to the rad, remove the rad and then connect a hose to the rad valve to drain. Job start to finish should take half hour.

 

[markwm]

the washer has jammed stuck, but could free itself and flood the place is tou leave the square ended threaded bit out. Personally I would turn both ends off to the rad, remove the rad and then connect a hose to the rad valve to drain. Job start to finish should take half hour.

The bit that's come out has no thread on it whatsoever, just a small rubber washer. It doesn't look like it's broken

Hate radiators with a passion!

Regarding the position of the drain valve. I'm putting on a downstairs rad, I can't really get under the floor without a lot of hassle. Thus, I can never FULLY drain the system can I? as there's always water in the very bottom of the pipes that run under the kitchen floor.

 

[dextrous]

Without lifting the floor, you cannot completely empty the whole system, as you say.

How do you intend to fit a radiator downstairs without lifting the floor and running new pipework anyway?

 

[gaspro1981]

i didnt think these d o c had washers in them!

 

[dextrous]

If you have removed the square pin and the washer has come out with it, how come water isn't coming out, since there is nothing plugging the hole? My only guess is that there's part of the washer still inside - if you stick a small screwdriver through, this will release it. Make sure you have the hosepipe connected and hold your finger over the hole to prevent a very wet carpet!

 

[markwm]

I'm assuming that half the pin has broken off, the other half is inside.

 

[dextrous]

I misunderstood! Follow dangermouse's suggestion.

 

[markwm]

Here's some pics...

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/430/img1226j.jpg

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/5302/img1227.jpg

 

[dextrous]

Can you unscrew the serrated bit at the end to see if there's anything you could use long nosed pliers to grip. Unlikely, but worth a shout before you manually drain the rad.

 

[littlemo508]

Hi , I know this is an old thread now. But the same thing just happened to me, and I was wondering how you overcome this problem.

Many thanks

 

[CBF]

the square section has broken off if it's the same, new rad valve req

 

[littlemo508]

I gathered I would need a new valve. What's the cleanest way of draining the system as I can't open the valve?