Loosening nuts on radiator pipe

t45

Brilliant – many thanks! – i understand what you mean by saying grip the valve tight– i have one adjustable spanner – I think i should get another tool and possibly ask sister to hold the valve with all her strength using a wrench or grip of something and then I can work the adjustable on the nut...

If i go to the DIy shop should i ask for a wrench? Ive read there is a thing called a radiator spanner or a stilson – would these be good? Im certainly building my tool box!
I have managed to loosen the nut on the TVR side – this seemed smooth enough and it loosened it the lockshield side was and is very tough
I do have other spanner in the tool box but they’re not adjustable but then to have long arms . i don’t want to bend the pipe so i appreciate this advice ref gripping the valve in place.
If it’s too tough would a bit of WD40 be okay or would this be a No No?

keithu

Alex1983 wrote: »

Looking at the radiator the left hand side you will need to pull the adjustable up to undo and the right hand side push down to undo.

That's the wrong way round. Push down on the left to loosen, pull up on the right.

t45

mmm, okay, which is correct direction?
could I also use some lubricant if I cant manager with the leverage?

keithu

t45 wrote: »

If i go to the DIy shop should i ask for a wrench?

Plumbers typically use Grips for this. Which begs the question - what are grips? They're actually Water Pump Pliers and if you google that term you'll get a good idea of what you're looking for.

Having said that, I wouldn't have thought you'd really need to apply that much force. As long as you're turning the right way (see above) and have enough leverage there shouldn't be a problem. How long is the adjustable spanner you're using?

keithu

t45 wrote: »

mmm, okay, which is correct direction?
could I also use some lubricant if I cant manager with the leverage?

Which side are you working on?

WD40 wouldn't hurt but I don't think it would help much to be honest.

TheCyclingProgrammer

spadoosh wrote: »

Righty tighty, Lefty loosey

Depends on your perspective.

t45

Spanner is a Adjustable Stanley – I would need to measure the length of it.
I will look up the pump pliers as they sound interesting.
I’ve read about stilson and radiator spanner.
Really need to work out which in the right way.
I’m a lightweight so i doubt i could apply that much force anyway.
WHICH SIDE AM I WORKING ON? Is this the side I am working on to drain the water? If so, I intend to drain most of the water from the TVR side and then release the rad.
The problem in the lockshield nut – it’s so tight – I managed the TVR nut so i am going to try the lockshield in the opposite direction.
What is meant by leverage? Is this just space to apply pressure in relation to the length of tool? Without damaging the nut?
Think this could all be matter of perspective but it do think there is a technicality with the turning of the nuts!
One more question and it’s not to do with nuts and wrenches but rather the bleed valve.
BLEED VALVE: Is it necessary to open up the bleed valve slightly to let out some air and a bit of water?
Is it really necessary when reinstating rads? – thought only necessary when reinstating the radiator to wall and re-pressuring the system......

t45

On this radiator the TVR is on LEFT and Lockshield on RIGHT

spadoosh

Just copy this guy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eopRvzv2ZYE

Its not as complicated as youre thinking. You dont need a stilson or radiator spanner.

Just an adjustable spanner and something to grip the radiator valve. A pair of pliers should do the job, you can even use another set of adjustable spanners or grips like they guy uses in the video. If youre proper hard you can just grab the pipework and hold it steady.


ETA the white cap used in the video should solve all perspective issues. So looking at it from the flat bit, not the bit that attaches to the thread it is righty tight lefty loosey.

Re bleeding, open it slightly just before you take off the radiator to allow the water to drain. When reattaching close it completely. Fill the system (looking for about 1-1.5 bar pressure normally) and then go round to all your radiators and open the bleed valves until it starts spitting and close. GO back to your boiler and check the pressure, if its dropped substantially (any at all really) repeat the process until the pressure doesnt drop and no air comes out of your radiators.

keithu

So you're trying to undo the nut on the right?

What I would do is apply the spanner to the nut with the handle nearly vertical but leaning towards you slightly (if you can). Then push the handle away from you to undo the nut. If it won't loosen you'll need a longer spanner to get more leverage.

By leverage we mean Mechanical Advantage. The longer the handle is, the less force you have to use. Using a longer spanner will make things much easier.