Microbore radiator problem

[Deeps]

I removed a double skinned radiator on my microbore system in order to repair the wall paper behind and for general decorating purposes. The Yorkshire Imperial combined inlet /return valve had a spiral copper conduit which led into one of the two radiator skins making it virtually impossible to separate the valve from the radiator In the process of disconnecting the valve from the radiator this conduit parted company with the valve. On reconnecting, the radiator is now not functioning as the flow from the inlet valve is not getting into the radiator and is instead disappearing out of the outlet.

I presume that I require a new radiator fitted with a new valve and its integral conduit? Any suggestions as to suppliers as microbore is not a common DIY system? To attach this to my system can I shut off all the other radiators and isolate the hot water tank thus confining any spillage to that in the feed/ return to this radiator only?

 

[chrishutt]

You should be able to pull the old flexible tail out and refit it to the valve. Don't be afraid to use some force in twisting and pulling - you've not nothing to lose but your knuckle skin.

Failing that, the simplest solution might be to extend one of the microbore pipes to the other end of the rad (or to the top tapping of the rad if it's the flow pipe) and have two single-entry radiator valves, one of which might as well be a TRV.

 

[Agile]

Are double entry valves still available in 8 mm ( or 10 mm ) ?

Its a long time since I remember seeing them offered!

In the early days of Myson before it was bought out by Potty, they used to offer a lot of useful bits.

 

[chrishutt]

Yes, Yorkshire still offer them. Not sure about the flexible inserts though. Presumably the demand is purely the replacement market, although I'd always prefer to switch to separate valves.

 

[Deeps]

Chris, thanks for your quick reponse. I did remove the flexible tail from the radiator and it needed some force, however, as it had been led through two right angles due to the construction of the radiator, it would not refit back in and broke in my attempts. Is this tail readily available from a supplier as I am happy to refit a new radiator and it would be preferable not to have to disturb the microbore fittings to the combined valve?

 

[chrishutt]

Is this tail readily available

See my post above - google on Yorkshire fittings.

Note. This insert may not fit your twin entry valve, especially if yours is not Yorkshire.

 

[Paul Barker]

If the Yorkshire stuff doesn't fit easily you might coax old one into life cutting the existing pipe shorter and adjusting the return part of the valve to encourage the flow water to jolly off around the rad before returning.

They can be tricky to balance.