Pin in radiator valve dial won't push fully back in

sb44

We had a couple of radiators where the pin was sticking.

Both wouldn't budge when using a scewdriver or small hammer to get them moving.

However, I pulled one up too much and the pin came out but went back in easily enough and does move up and down.

I made the same mistake with the other one, pushed that back in but it will only go in a couple of mm's, won't push down any further.

I was wondering if I may have bent the pin slightly so I used the pin from the other radiator (mad dash with rags tied around one why I went in the next room with the pin!) and that one won't go in either so I know the pin wasn't bent.

Does anyone know what could be stopping it from being pushed down please?

We do have central heating cover and I will ring those if I don't get any joy from any suggestions from MSE members.

Ta.

Chunks

Not sure I'm 100% with you but have a look at this link:

http://www.greenlandpassage.co.uk/tips1.html

WD40 and a bit of wiggling about (the pin not you) might help.

sb44

Chunks wrote: »

Not sure I'm 100% with you but have a look at this link:

http://www.greenlandpassage.co.uk/tips1.html

WD40 and a bit of wiggling about (the pin not you) might help.

Yep, have tried WD40 but the pin just won't go back down, it's as if something is stopping it.

Chunks

Obvious perhaps but can you see down the hole (that the pin has to be inserted in (may need a mirror at an angle over the hole)). Perhaps a blast of WD40 down the hole and a soak before trying again - if the hole appears clear?

An exploded view of the valve might point to the reason - gonna have a google...

Chunks

Not a huge amount of joy on Google.

Was the pin sitting lower when you pulled it out?

These things are spring loaded - maybe the spring is slightly unseated. If you have something metal (electrical screwdriver) of slightly less diameter than the pin, perhaps carefully inserting that, running it around in the hole, will centre the insides up again.

Nilrem

If the pin is for the thermostatic part of the valve* to push against (it sounds like it) to stop/allow the water to flow through the valve, the chances are the chances are the inside of the valve has seized up slightly (they tend to when they have been off for a while).

What I do, and what I've seen the BG engineers do, is get a nice big pair of pliers and push and pull the pin a few times, normally that works the valve mechanism free and you're sorted for another year.
Basically by pulling it up as well as down you're working the crud that has built up loose and letting it lift and fall free again rather than just being pushed down.

IIRC WD40 won't do much with a stuck radiator valve, as the cause of the sticking is usually on the other side of the water tight seal.


*The bulky plastic bit that normally very easily unscrews.

sb44

As soon as I remove the pin water shoots out of the hole!

Think I will have to call an engineer.

We do have full cover with british gas but I was hoping I didn't need to call them until the service is due, no chance of that now, the service is only due in Feb.

sb44

Chunks wrote: »

Not a huge amount of joy on Google.

Was the pin sitting lower when you pulled it out?

These things are spring loaded - maybe the spring is slightly unseated. If you have something metal (electrical screwdriver) of slightly less diameter than the pin, perhaps carefully inserting that, running it around in the hole, will centre the insides up again.

May not be so easy with water coming out but I will give it a try.

Ta.

sb44

Chunks wrote: »

Not a huge amount of joy on Google.

Was the pin sitting lower when you pulled it out?

These things are spring loaded - maybe the spring is slightly unseated. If you have something metal (electrical screwdriver) of slightly less diameter than the pin, perhaps carefully inserting that, running it around in the hole, will centre the insides up again.

Found a watchmakers type screwdriver and just had a go with that and I can feel something pushing down inside but it doesn't seem to want to know!

I have just booked an engineer for tomorrow but I am going to have another go later when I am not as wound up!

I don't want to be at the point were I can't get the damned thing in at all and I have water trickling out.

Chunks

I don't think water should come out sb44! Maybe banging the pin has put a hole in the mechanism below .

Time to call BG :(:(:(:(

sb44

Chunks wrote: »

I don't think water should come out sb44! Maybe banging the pin has put a hole in the mechanism below .

Time to call BG :(:(:(:(

Water was coming out of both when I removed the pins.

Not gushing out but trickling.

Yep, they are coming tomorrow morning.

It is sods law that I am able to get them to heat up now that the flippin' weather has warmed up!