radiator problem

sparko100

I have just turned central heating on for the first time this year and all the radiators heated up except the lounge one. The inlet pipe got hot but not the radiator, despite the valve being set to max.

Does the radiator need a new thermostat?

How complicated is this, can i do it myself with virtually no plumbing experience?

shelly

Hubby says....Have you had the radiator turned down to zero all summer? If so the most likely problem (in his opinion) is that the valve pin has got stuck.This has happened to us many times. What you need to do is....take off the plastic thermostat assembly (you do not need to remove any pipe fittings, this fix is a dry fix no water) you should then see a little pin sticking out of the valve assembly which is attached to the rad, the thermostat (plastic bit) pushes this pin in and out depending on where you set the valve + depending on the temperature of the room, if the valve has been set to zero all summer it is common for this pin to get stuck in the off position (all the way in only a little bit showing). To free the pin tap it GENTLY with a hammer, this usually does the trick, then put the plastic thermostat assembly back on and the problem should be fixed. If this is not the problem then it could be an airlock but it does not sound like it, in this case you need to bleed the rad, do not do this whilst the heating is on as it will only suck more air into the system. To bleed the rad (have some tissue ready) there is a little valve at the top of the rad on one side, you will need a special key to open it, undo the valve and if you hear air escaping you have an air lock, continue to let the air escape until water comes out and its job done, if water comes out straight away then its not an air lock.


HTH