Immersion cock off nightmare

[kingandy2nd]

Hi all,

I changed the heating element on my immersion heater today, which was all plain sailing until I refilled the system.

The drainage cock behind the immersion will not stop leaking - not a drip either, a small trickle of water out of the drain. I can’t tighten it any further and after a few attempts it now seems there’s a leak from the thread as well

The thing is probably 20-30 years old, and looking around B&Q and online at toolstation I can’t find a matching cock off - I was thinking perhaps I could just replace the threaded tap bit, as the 1/2 threaded connector doesn’t seem like it’ll come off without taking the side of the immersion with it.

Any ideas on how to tackle, or where I could get a replacement bit, or how to repair this one?

Thanks
Andy

 

[denso13]

Washer is missing from screwed out section, that's probably all you need. Check it isn't stuck inside the fitting.

 

[denso13]

 

[denso13]

Replacement here https://www.toolstation.com/mt-cock-type-b/p10224

 

[kingandy2nd]

Thank you sir, I could not find that when searching for love nor money! Appreciate the help!!

 

[Gasguru]

Screw an MT in...looks better quality than the Toolsation one.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/drain-cock/96725

But you're better off getting another washer, either buy separately or salvage one from a new drain-off.

 

[denso13]

Bit better quality type B one than the first one I posted https://www.toolstation.com/mt-cock-type-a/p18837

 

[kingandy2nd]

Thanks again guys, I have one of the ones suggest as best quality, but I can’t get it open to take the tap/washer out of it. Do they actually come open?

At least the first one is the same type as the existing, so I think the innards will just screw straight out.

 

[denso13]

I have one of the ones suggest as best quality

If you mean type A it should come apart but you may have to loosen a nut on the spindle first. Photo?

A type A works slightly differently to a type B.

 

[kingandy2nd]

If you mean type A it should come apart but you may have to loosen a nut on the spindle first. Photo?

A type A works slightly differently to a type B.

Here’s the one I’ve got:

To be honest, might as well wait until the morning for toolstation to open and pick up one that’s identical to my existing one to use

 

[Gasguru]

Unscrew the little knurled ring (pump grips, larger pliers, mole grips)...which is just the gland seal and then unscrew the spindle part and salvage the washer.

 

[denso13]

Here’s the one I’ve got:

As above, but that will replace the existing valve (the whole thing) if you are feeling brave, shouldn't be too difficult.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Make sure you hold the joint going into the cylinder, you do not want that to start leaking.

Andy

 

[Gasguru]

If the seats fine you'd be mad to change the valve...easy for a pro but a diyer could wreck the cylinder.
Blowlamp to soften the thread seal for a start...