Changing a radiator valve

[daveclilverd]

Hi All,
Greetings from a first-time poster here. I hope that someone can help me out.

I want to change some radiator valves (they are old and start to leak when turned off, etc.). My CH pipework (between the rads) is micro-bore (at least I think that's what it's called!) and in most cases only has a very short length of pipework from the radiator valve to where it dissapears into the wall or skirting board.

So, I can't cut a bit off the pipe in order to re-fit it and fix a new olive (and new valve screw cap) etc.. So, what I'd like know is:

1. Is there a good way to remove an old olive without damaging the micro-bore copper pipe, so that a new olive can be fitted on the existing pipe, in the same place? or

2. What is the likelyhood that the old olive and screw cap will fit the new radiator valve body (bearing in mind that the old valves are probably 15 - 20 years old)?

Any help or other advice would be much appreciated!

Many thanks,
Dave.

 

[sm1thson]

when I had to remove some olives for i just lightly gripped them with mold grips and twisted them off, maybe i was just lucky, there are various other ways some requiring more skill than others and some envolving making tools or buying tools, heres a good discussion on it: pick your favorate meathod:
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=63613