Stiff lock shield valves - can I loosen them with WD 40?

[volks]

I had new radiators and pipework/valves all fitted a year back. Today when adjusting the lock shields to get better heating flow, I found some of the lock shields are easily adjusted by hand, while others are quite stiff and I need pliers on the valve itself.

Can I loosen these somehow, and should I be concerned if it's stiff could it start leaking?

 

[terryplumb]

You should use a spanner,rather than pliers. You may find the valve moves easily if you do.

 

[volks]

You should use a spanner,rather than pliers. You may find the valve moves easily if you do.

Makes sense. They do have plastic caps that allow you to turn the valve by hand, which is where I meant some are easily to adjust and others require a spanner/pliers

 

[terryplumb]

Lock shield valves shouldn't have wheel heads .Shouldn't be easily adjusted by hand

 

[volks]

Lock shield valves shouldn't have wheel heads .Shouldn't be easily adjusted by hand

Noted, but that wasn't the original question. They're useful to have when balancing the system so I'm not running around with a spanner or removing the covering cap each time

 

[terryplumb]

Putting a drop of Penetrating oil on the lockshield spindle will be fine ,rather than WD-40,to answer your original question.
Do you regularly balance your system ?

 

[ericmark]

I do not know what is in the stuffing gland of lock shield valves today, the question is will war department 40 damage the stuff used in the gland, it may damage a rubber seal or dry out a waxed string seal, but think unlikely it will cause a problem, but I would use an oil so it will not cause it to dry out.

 

[volks]

Thanks all. I only made minor adjustments as it's slightly off, I'm not doing a full rebalance. Just adjusting one of the slower to heat radiators