Christmas Radiator Blues!

I_am_spartacus

Jeepers_Creepers said:

Blimey, no pressure... :-)  

1) The valve nuts will be tight anyway, and the presence of a coat or 5 of paint will add little difference. Once the nut moves, the paint will crack and have zero effect after that.

I use one of these:

on the actual nut on the connection between the valve and the rad, and one of these:

set to the right opening to grip the valve body in a near-vertical way to prevent it from turning which would risk affecting the pipe. Set it so that it clamps on the valve body tightly when the handles are close enough to be held firmly in one hand. On nice chrome valves, add a layer of card or similar to prevent marking. Hold that tightly, and then undo the nut with the other spanner. Make sure you are turning it the correct way.

It really shouldn't be a problem - the pipe itself is strong and will be doing a lot of the holding - but you are right in that you don't want the valve body moving too much because this could loosen the seal between the pipe and the olive and so cause a drip. You should easily be ok, tho'.

Typical rad valve:

in which case the large nut between the valve and rad is undone anticlockwise when looked at from the right. Slip spanner on, and push it down.

2) Prod away. I really wouldn't worry too much about a tiny particle like that flying around an old boiler which has large waterways. I guess, if you can, try unscrewing the whole bleed screw assembly, but I bet it'll be tight.

When you remove that leaking rad, watch out for black gunge coming out and making a mess. Drain it down fully, protect the floor, and turn the rad upside-down as soon as it's off. Take it outside and tip it on its side - see what comes out. Hose through - and stand back...

Let us know what the corrosion is like.

Hi Jeepers_Creepers,

You’ve come up trumps again, people like you help restore my faith in Human Nature!

Wise words and advice which I will put into practice. I will update thread with how I get on.

In the mean time, thank you again for the time and effort you have put into helping me,

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy 2021.

Jeepers_Creepers

I_am_spartacus said:

Hi Jeepers_Creepers,

You’ve come up trumps again, people like you help restore my faith in Human Nature!

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy 2021.

Jeez - all I did was I explain how to undo a radiator valve...

A Happy and Healthy 2021 to all :-)