Did I brake my radiator valve?

Lafleur_2

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/20/87331507.jpg/

Not quite sure what type of valve this is. Since i thought the plastic valve knob was lost and wanted to turn the radiator temperature up i turned the thin metal peice towards me, then stopped at one point when i thought i felt a very slight clicking when turning the valve. A few minutes later i had found the valve knob again and fastened it onto the valve and turned it up the the max, which i think i also turned the metal peice in the same direction i had turned it prior to this. Since then i can't get the radiator to feel more than lukewarm, even when turning it the opposite way, despite all the other radiators working normally.

I should have used more caution obviously, can anyone shed any light on how these valves work and if what i did broke the thing beyond repair?

Thanks

PaulyB71

Is that the inside of a TRV? looks like the centre pin. Turning it shouldn't make a difference and the clicking would probably be the spring turning on the inside.

roger196

This looks like the centre pin of a TRV. When the pin is fully out, the valve is open and the rad should heat up. When the pin is pushed in the valve closes. The control part at the top of the TRV can be seen at www.screwfix.com part no 98369. Where is this?
If the rad is cold at the top but warm at the bottom, it needs bleeding.
Is the valve at the other end of the rad fully open?

tigeress289

It sounds like the valve is shut closed. Remove the control cover, you refitted. Tap the pin gently with a hammer, the pin is the valve, the cover pushes it down to shut and opened lets the pin come up to increase the flow. I am sure the seal has got stuck in the closed position. You need to free it without damaging the valve or rad. This can be done gently tapping pin and around valve to break the seal.

Lafleur_2

Thanks guys

@tigeress289: I'll try giving it a tap with a hammer, where abouts would i tap it, in the centre of the pin?

@roger196: I always thought that radiators were controlled by only one knob, the other knob appearing to be a functioning knob but really not. How does the "other" knob affect the radiator usually? The knob on the radiator i talked about on the opposite side to the TRV seems impossible to budge.

tigeress289

Normally they have a cover, which is either pull off or has a small screw in top which you remove to take cover off. You can then turn them on and off with an adjustable spanner. When you tap the pin, yes centre top. You are trying to break the seating seal of the valve, as it sounds like its shut down.Gentle taps round valve will also help.