Removing olive from rad tail.

[600rob]

Id like to reuse a few of my rad tails with integral drain offs but i want to remove the old union nut and replace it with the new shiny one that comes with my new trvs.

The old olives are stuck fast and i cant get access to them with a hacksaw. Ive tried the other method where you bash the back of the nut with a spanner but that didn't work either.

DSC_1024

• 600rob
• 17 Aug 2017

Ive only got 4 of these to do so im wondering if anyone else has any suggestions for removing the olive before i go and buy a puller

I suppose i could cut the nut off then cut the olive off as id be replacing both?

 

[Madrab]

Cut or pull it off is really the only option, but you may not get an olive puller on with the nut there so I'd cut that off first, use a dremel as it's much easier. Are the drain offs still working, they may need servicing if you want to extend their life.

 

[nitro23456]

Blimey, for the hassle buy some new tails. Job would be finished by now.

 

[Aquaheat]

Cut or pull it off is really the only option, but you may not get an olive puller on with the nut there so I'd cut that off first, use a dremel as it's much easier. Are the drain offs still working, they may need servicing if you want to extend their life.

Which olive puller do you use @Madrab? Mine utilises the nut to remove the olive.

Jon

 

[600rob]

Which olive puller do you use @Madrab? Mine utilises the nut to remove the olive.

Jon

Thats the type i was thinking of using

 

[Madrab]

Mines the cutters Jon, should have been more specific

 

[600rob]

Mines the cutters Jon, should have been more specific

Ahh, didnt know there was a cutting type.
That one that uses the nut to screw on to should do the trick then. Although i might just use my dremel as suggested.
Rab, the drain offs are all in good working order aswell.
Cheers

 

[Aquaheat]

Mines the cutters Jon, should have been more specific

Ahh, olive splitters. They're OK but you need one for each size and still need access to the olive. I use these as they have yet to fail to remove an olive yet (that hasn't been strangled and destroyed the pipe) and does both 15 and 22mm.

Jon

 

[Beeb2501]

...... I use these .....

View attachment 125233

Jon,

Does that tool leave the pipe in good condition, or does it crush it slightly where the olive has slid off?

 

[Terrywookfit]

FFS. Just fit new fookin Tails !!!

 

[polesapart]

I also use these

and in all situations where the nut can be pushed free to reveal the olive they are the gentlemens' relish, the dachshund's danglies, the bog's Dollocks.

FFS. Just fit new fookin Tails !!!

In this case I agree.

 

[Groovejet]

1st look at the state of the valve tails they are the old type with a nut instead of a pop off plastic cap
2 nd they are crudded up with crap, which you can clean up and re ptfe threads, but is it worth it.

They look battered and knocked anyway. You can buy the drain off valves separate and cheap.

If your adamant to reuse all you do is get your adjustable spanner between nut/ olive and square edges ( which is screwed into rad)
And use the spanner as a crowbar . The olive and nut will move to the point it falls off... Job done
No cutting .. No olive cutters etc.
I've never known one valve that had beat me and it's all finished in 30 seconds.
Because the tail is brass with chrome the olive doesn't deform like on copper pipe so you can always get it off.

Ps- a hammer will never do it because your putting force on to a point ! But using a spanner the force is equal on both sides so it comes off easy

 

[600rob]

okay guys i get the point.

In my defence, i did look at replacing the tails with new ones that have integral drain offs.

The existing tails on the rads are all different lengths which im finding hard to find in versions that have the drain off tap. The drayton one which matches the trvs ill be fitting only comes in a single length (45mm not including thread length)
http://www.screwfix.com/p/drayton-drain-off-tail-piece-0705902/3450r

If there is a shortfall at the opposite end from the drain off tail i guess i can use something like this....
http://www.screwfix.com/p/drayton-drain-off-tail-piece-0705902/3450r

If the gap at the opposite end from the drain off tail ends up being smaller than before would you use something like this and cut it down to the correct size to suit?
http://www.screwfix.com/p/tesla-rig...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CMaktZOM39UCFfYh0wodsDkJfw

 

[Beeb2501]

..... If the gap at the opposite end from the drain off tail ends up being smaller than before would you use something like this and cut it down to the correct size to suit?
http://www.screwfix.com/p/tesla-rig...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CMaktZOM39UCFfYh0wodsDkJfw

What about these (whichever length suits, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30mm, etc) - https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p24460 / http://www.geyser.co.uk/pipe-extension-piece-shiny-chrome-between-valve-tapping-10mm-p-1825.html

There's another range available that's similar in style to the one in your link - but I can't find the web page.

Like these but with a greater choice of lengths - https://goo.gl/YQ1gHn