cast iron radiator leaking!

[Agile]

Most of those that I have seen new have "hollow screws with a LH and RH threaded outside and lugs to turn them" that are put in and tightened from the inside of the previous sections.

But most existing rads seem to have the parts so well rusted together that I would be surprised if many will undo ?

Tony

 

[yourmoneyoryourwife]

As doitall said take out the section thats leaking theres no need to disturb the other sections just mark where the nipple is on the key slide it in to that mark and undo even the oldest of rads will come apart no problem.

 

[doitall]

Most of those that I have seen new have "hollow screws with a LH and RH threaded outside and lugs to turn them" that are put in and tightened from the inside of the previous sections.

But most existing rads seem to have the parts so well rusted together that I would be surprised if many will undo ?

Tony

Never had one not come out yet.

 

[Nige F]

Well I like what Agile says and I like what Doitall says but which is better.......... . Seriously guys , I did several @ a big house once - but that was 30 years ago - so there is the opportunity for 30+ more years of corrosion on a rad you might find in a salvage yard I`m just not convinced somehow

 

[doitall]

Well I like what Agile says and I like what Doitall says but which is better.......... . Seriously guys , I did several @ a big house once - but that was 30 years ago - so there is the opportunity for 30+ more years of corrosion on a rad you might find in a salvage yard I`m just not convinced somehow

Find yourself a 50-60 year old rad from a scrap yard and I'll show you how easy the sections break, (as in unscrew}

I may be wrong but I doubt agile would know how to get one apart, I'm certain he has never tried it.

 

[powelly79]

not really comfortable taking the sections out myself wouldn't know where to start and wouldn't want to end up causing more damage. The hole's on the second section about half way up.

 

[Nige F]

Well , I`m now convinced by diA but I`ve done it before - for you , I`d say use one of the cold .2-pack plastic fillers I mean , this is a diy site - and if the hole is near the front - just fix it and turn the rad round so it`s near the back

 

[powelly79]

Do you mean like an epoxy.

 

[doitall]

You need to look at it closely to see whether it's a hole (unlikely) or a crack.

 

[Nige F]

yes, epoxy - and as DiA says may be a crack ( probably is ) but I would still give it a chance with epoxy - unless it`s a combi boiler or a pressurised system - open vented should be ok ( @ lower pressure) Ideally if it`s not on a carpeted floor and you can cope if it does fail

 

[robhall]

Dont even attempt to weld it, I'm a coded welder and it won't work. cast iron will crack if heated to welding or brazing temperatures in one spot.
drill out, tap, and put in screw with sealant on it, as suggested previously.

 

[powelly79]

The reason i think it's a whole is because it's round and hole shaped. It is on a combi system so will prob go for the tap and screw route providing i can get through the gap with a tapping bit. Cheers.