Unable to bleed radiator Help and information on all topics relating to your central heating, air conditioning and ventilation issues.

[whinger69]

Please help, I was bleeding the radiators in my house. 3 of the radiators when i tried to bleed them i have stripped the head of the square headed screw. I have tried everything to loosen them. J have tried several different keys. Is there any tool possibly with a smaller head or some other way of removing the screw. I woudl appreciate your solutions!!!!

[ianr]

Three options available depending of the type of rad you have, assuming it is a pressed steel item with an air bleed in a bolt in fitting, isolate the rad drain off the water from the rad and replace the bolt in fitting with a new item giving you a new air bleed.

If the rad is a pressed steel item with a air bleed tapped directly in to the rad (no bolt fitting) as above drain the rad, drill the air bleed out with a suitable size drill and re tap the thread allowing you to fit a new air bleed nipple.

If non of the above work you may need to replace the rad with a new item, all of the above will mean you need to refill and bleed the complete system again so be sure you really need to bleed the rad before you start (ie a cold area of rad at the top when the system is running)

[whinger69]

Thanks ian R, seems to be the second of your options, don't know if i will be able to drill it out without taken radiator off wall but will give it a go

[htg engineer]

It si normally possible to get hold of the vent nipple with pointed nose pliers - turn anticlockwise and it should come out.

Replacment nipples are available from most plumbing/DIY shops

[whinger69]

If i isolate the radiator ie close off valves at either side of radiator will i be able to remove the nipple without water coming out of the bleed hole?

[Skids]

Hi whinger69,

go down to B&Q (other diy shops aval), in the plumbing section look for a 1/2" A/F hexagon Radiator Allan Key (£1).

this will go over the 'square air vent screw', and remove the brass fitting that holds the 'Rad air vent'

replace the whole brass air vent fitting (.50p)

regards

Skids

[htg engineer]

Not all radiatorsd have the hexagonal socket for the bleed vent - most radiators the bleed vent screws directly into the radiator.

[whinger69]

My bleed screw screws directly into radiator, it look like i'm going to have to drill

[ALDA]

W,

SOMETIMES IT IS POSSIBLE TO FREE THE NIPPLE BY APPLYING A LITTLE WD40 FIRST AND THEN CAUTIOUSLY HAMMERING A PUNCH AGAINST END OF BLEED NIPPLE AND UNSCREWING USING LONG NOSED PLIERS.

ALDA.

[whinger69]

what is a punch? (don't mean to sound clueless)

[ALDA]

IN SECTION 3/8" TO 1/8"TAPERED/ROUND 4"-6" IN LENGTH STEEL TOOL USED TO KNOCK OUT PINS/NAILS ETC.

YOU COULD TRY OLD SREW DRIVER (CUT OR GRIND END SQUARE AND FLAT) IF YOU DONT WANT TO BUY A PUNCH (USEFUL TOOL FOR YOUR COLLECTION THOUGH)!!!

ALDA.

[m d cooper]

be careful as the valves on the rad might not shut off the water