Loosening Seized Radiator Bleed Nipples

[gizmo_the_great]

Hi

I've got a radiator with bleed nipples seized so badly that the square shape to them has been largely chaffed off by attempts to loosen them.

Any tips that might make it easier to loosen them, other than replacing the enitre radiator, lol!

Ted

 

[sime10]

Well Ted it is all according how old your rads are, You would not need to renew your rads just change the fitting in the top. They should be 1/2 inch and you can buy them from any decent merchants.

 

[Slugbabydotcom]

File the end of your bleed key so that it doesnt slip off the chamfer. That way you can get more of the 'square' into the area around the nipple

A mains tester screwdriver is a handy tool for clearing out the paint that seems to collect in there.

After that your last chance is a sturdy pair of pointed nose pliers

 

[ChrisR]

Get a decent vent key - one of the brass ones which look like clock winders, and file the business end so it looks like it's been in a pencil sharpener. Then it'll grip a lot better.
Unless you have a 12pt socket which fits, they work too.
Otherwise cut a slot in the top with a junior hacksaw or dremel drill cutting disc, and use a screwdriver.

 

[simpsont]

Use a suitably sized drill bit chuck (preferably one with a key) and a pair of molegrips or similar.

 

[gigz]

Poss all of the above and also heat the corner of the rad (you will have to paint it afterwards though )