Bleed screw in raditor-is it possible to replace?

anotherbaldrick

docdan wrote: »

Hi
the little square you put the key onto is only a small part of the bleed screw system .
the part around the square bit normally is nut shaped (6sided) and this unscrews from the radiator allowing all the bleed screw to be removed . you can buy new parts before hand from a good local diy store or plumbers merchants .
beofre you start to attempt to remove the bleed screw & surround turn off the rad valve and then turn off the other side of the rad to ! the knob off the rad valve normally fits on the other side when you have removed the plastic from it !this way you dont need to drain the system down !

The other thing to do is crack open one of the unions between the valves and the rad and let some water drain into a tray until you can see the flow subsiding. This is just in case you have not shut the valves correctly or fully, you don't want to whip the vent plug out if you are still under pressure.

agav

It looks like the square bleed screw is surrounded by circle not a nut shape. It's in right corner of the panel close to the wall facing the room and in the left corner of the outside panel facing the wall.

keystone

agav wrote: »

Thank for that. It's good advice.

If its in the back of the panel, which what I think is what you are saying, thats going to be a problem for access. Another poster thinks it might be different so perhaps we should clarify it once and for all:

Is it like this:



or this:



or this:



with the first two they can usually be extracted with some long nosed pliers after liberal application of WD40. Problem with these designs is that the rad tapping rusts over time and nicely seals the bleed screw.

The second one is easy to get to. The first not so and its the first I thought you were describing.

The third image is exactly as other poster has already mentioned.

Cheers

keystone

agav wrote: »

It looks like the square bleed screw is surrounded by circle not a nut shape. It's in right corner of the panel close to the wall facing the room and in the left corner of the outside panel facing the wall.

Think you may have answered then whilst I was composing. Like the first image then?

Cheers

agav

It looks the most like the first picture, though the screw is shorter, more hidden in the hole. But the position is the same.
Should I invest in the mole grips then?

bob_a_builder

I think I know the type you mean, a complete pain compared to the older bleed valve at the end.
trouble is the square part you need to turn is usually flush or sunk a bit compared to rad surface, so mole grips unlikely to help
then its usually on a inner facing side of a double rad so just can't get to it at all
regarding the circular part being an allen key type of thing, if so, then you are going to need a hollow allen key to allow for the square head part ?

Sorry not being very helpful, I only have one rad like that myself and had no trouble so far, but interested to know how it goes

edit: now I see the pics it was #1 I was referring too

agav

Trying to attach the picture, not sure if works.

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTkZ_UwDGCyrq0gusrzxRqoe32-cq9_drWmIzK-gqjO-s61Iamlca5BLC0Q

ormus

http://www.bes.co.uk/products/114.asp

various bleed screw types here.

vaio

agav wrote: »

Trying to attach the picture, not sure if works.

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTkZ_UwDGCyrq0gusrzxRqoe32-cq9_drWmIzK-gqjO-s61Iamlca5BLC0Q

those look like only the bleed screw is removable with the other half being part of the rad. because they are recessed you are going to struggle getting mole grips etc on.

If the key you used is one of the cheap ali ones then you may have more success giving it a few taps with a hammer & centre punch and then having a go with a steel or brass key which tend to be better made and hence a tighter fit, giving it a little pressure in the clockwise direction first can sometimes help too.

if that doesn't work then I'd try giving a brass key a gentle squeeze in a vice to slightly distort it and if that doesn't work you are reduced to getting a 2.5mm LH drill bit and carefully drilling it out

agav

Thank you all for advice. I really appreciate your interest.
Thanks vaio, I will get husband to do what you said. Sounds like the right things to do.
Have a good night everybody!