how to undo a tough nut

billy_the_kid_2

Notice OP used WD40 to loosen the nut, better product for freeing siezed joints is plusgas.

Bigted_3

Hi,

Try brushing all the threads around the nut with diesel, do this carefully so as not to splash any diesel around to keep the odour down, leave to soak as long as possible and then try to undo the nut again. Is the nut brass or iron ? If it's brass it may well be the type of nut that slips on and off the union by tilting and sliding off. If this is the case you just hacksaw through the nut in the direction of the pipe, just deep enough to go through the threads of the nut, then put a screwdriver in the cut and twist this instantly releases the nut and you then just slide a new nut over the union, this type of nut is used on a combined valved pump union. It's simple if you can establish if they are this type of union.

mr218

hi all

thanks for all your great suggestions. to do a quick recap, after lots of struggle with a spanner (which was attached to a big wooden stick for extra leverage), the nut would not budge. we tried WD40 and gas heaters to locally heat and expand it and still nothing, nada.

We had tried to remove the old pump head and put in the new head but it seemed a bit difficult to dislodge it and we were worried about damaging the pump head. But after another poster here suggested that you could do it, we decided to be a bit bold and went for it. We could now fit the pump head in the original casing.

However, because of all the exertions with the spanner, the upper flange was knackered and now started to leak. So back to square one. We tried to use some epoxy resin mix to sort out any leaks.But that did not work either. We were resigned to going to the loft and trying to drain the system and it was not something we were looking forward to.

Another visit to homebase, we found them selling a set of pipes and nuts which fit above and below the pump. The last thing we decided to do was to then try and saw off the immovable nuts. and Hallelujah it worked. we could saw off the nuts and then put in the new pump and new nuts and it works now.

Thanks for all your advice and encouragement, it kept us going till we could sort it out eventually

Meera

uncle_buck_3

Sounds like you have had a right job….the sort of luck I also have….Well at least you now have the new pump fitted, well done.

Regards, ub

moneysavingplumber

I hate to say this to you, as I'm sure you had tremendous satisfaction in finally achieving your goal, but sometimes it is better to call on a professional. Some jobs may be difficult but in the worst case I've ever had of pump valves being stuck on the union, it still only took me about two hours to change it, and I think I charged about £75 six years ago, including the new pump. Good professionals always have alternatives up their sleeves, and I have never used diesel or WD40 to help me undo a nut. Heat is pointless if there is water in the system close to the pump valves as the joint will not get hot enough.

The secret is to secure the valves and twist the pump, the 'Boa Constrictor' is always useful for this. Once the pump has been twisted against the flange of the valves it is far easier to undo the unions, but with all things like this there is 'knack'.

mr218

I would have called a plumber, but my usual plumber was booked solid till the 9th of december. I called a few more corgi registered ones who were busy. one said he would come but he did not arrive.

We have spent a lot of time trying to sort it out and it would have been cheaper and easier to get a plumber to come and do it quickly. but as i said i could not get a decent one in time. My regular plumber is very good and conscientious and i have no problems using professionals if i can trust them.

We were really dying of cold and if we had not sorted it out, we would have called any plumber. More than satisfaction, it is just enormous relief. I never thought central heating will make me so happy.

My husband is fairly competent but he is not very keen to do anything concerned with plumbing or gas (of course) for that matter. We did not use diesel because we were worried about its flammability. But i tried all the other suggestions and eventually it worked.

thanks for your advice about the constrictor. will keep it in mind in case a similar situation arises in the future