Radiator broken - girlfriend getting cold...help

[mike2000]

I've got a leak in a radiator and in order to attempt to fix it tried to shut the radiator off so I could inject some Fernox sealer in.

One value has a simple plastic handle which I removed and turned the spindle underneath with a spanner. This actually seems to go round and round for ever.

The other valve had a cap on it which I popped off and tightened.

Anyway, when I then came to remove the bleed screw the water still seemed to be under pressure - i.e. it sprayed everywhere - for a long time - so I gave up.

I tried to put the valves back to where they were but now the radiator just wont get hot.

My girlfriend is staying good humoured about it.... but for how long

Help!

 

[Bahco]

turned the spindle underneath with a spanner. This actually seems to go round and round for ever.

It sounds as if your valve is broken and is stopping flow

With the heating on, are both pipes (to and from rad) quite hot?

 

[mike2000]

No - totally cold!

Does that help at all?

 

[Bahco]

Read post 8 in the FAQs.

 

[mike2000]

Hi Bacho,

Thanks for the help. I went through all those last night.

I cranked up the pump speed and shut all the raiators except the one I was interested in. I heard a lot of gurgling, but when this stopped the radiator still wasn't hot.

On bleeding the pump I found I could take the screw out completely and only get 2 or 3 drips and no air. Is this normal?

The radiator in question is getting water as it's leaking, yet is permanently full. I guess this could be coming from the outflow pipe?

Any further advice would be very much appreciated.

Mike

 

[RigidRaider]

From where is it leaking?

 

[Bahco]

With all the other rads off, open the valves on the problem rad fully and see if both pipes get hot.

If not (After 10 mins) suspect a blockage or the valve (s) is not opening.

 

[doitall]

Has anyone thought that the system pressure may need topping up, I mean what with loosing all this water.

Personally I would start looking for a new girlfriend the ex wife of a plumber would be good.

 

[Bahco]

Has anyone thought that the system pressure may need topping up, I mean what with loosing all this water.

Never crossed my mind!

 

[mike2000]

Thanks for the continuing advice guys.

I've checked the exansion tank, and that's full of water so I'm assuming the pressure is ok.

The water is leaking from corrosion from the problem radiator itself. Trying to shut this radiator down to deal with the problem got me into this position where I can't get the damn thing hot again.

I've tried shutting off all the other rads, but this hasn't fixed it. The pipes to it remained icy cold for the whole night.

I'm suspicious of the way the value on the problem radiator just seems to turn round and round - it doesn't stop at an open or closed position.

Does that help narrow it down at all?

Mike

 

[JonB]

Mike
It sounds as if the valves are U/S.
Is the radiator leaking out of rust holes or fittings?
Sounds like a full drain down & fit new valves + poss. a new rad.

 

[doitall]

The real problem is not getting it hot, but getting the water out of it and replacing, before your girl friend has water running out the door.

if you have a corrosion problem the other rads will be on there last legs as well.

 

[Bahco]

It sounds as if your valve is broken and is stopping flow

Change the rad and fit new valves.

 

[mike2000]

It sounds like you guys are all in agreement.

New valves and a new radiator.

Is a full drain down and subsequent refill straight forward?

Thanks for all the help - I feel I have a course of action now.

Mike

 

[Bahco]

If you have a corrosion problem the other rads will be on there last legs as well.

You may have a few more rads to do in the near future.