Whistling radiator bleed screw!

[baileyj1976]

The other day I became aware of a "funny noise" emanating from the hall radiator. After a careful listen I realised that the squeaking/whistling noise was coming from one of the bleed screws (its a double-panel rad). I tried to tighten it up, but it was already fully tightened. Realising that air was getting into the CH system, I closed the rad valves, removed the screw, and wound some PTFE tape round its threads before refitting.

This solved the problem for a day, but yesterday I ended up repeating the process with a larger amount of PTFE. So.....can anyone advise me as to an appropriate sealing compound or such like that I can apply to the bleed screw to make a proper repair? I realise that some epoxy would certainly do (if it would survive the heat), but would render that bleed screw useless. I am thinking along the lines of a thread-lock or something, as the leak is clearly very small.

Unless of course, this is completely the wrong idea and I need a new radiator?

Thanks,
James.

 

[slippyr4]

does the bleed screw screw directly into the radiator? or is there a chrome cap (about 1" diameter). If the latter, you can replace the whole cap/bleed assembly (couple of quid from a plumbers merchants).

 

[baileyj1976]

does the bleed screw screw directly into the radiator? or is there a chrome cap (about 1" diameter). If the latter, you can replace the whole cap/bleed assembly (couple of quid from a plumbers merchants).

Nope; I am afraid that the bleed screw is just that: a tiny little screw with a square head that goes straight into the top of the radiator.

 

[jobloggs]

It's possible that the threads on the brass swrew have been damaged. You could check this by shutting both valves to the rad and removing and switching the screws from the two panels. If the problem has switched from one panel to the other then you need a new bleed screw.