How to change a radiator nut?

cambsno

cambsno

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Tried googling but all i got was valves!

Have a small leak from a radiator nut, the 1/2" one. Have a spare and went to undo the nut but water started to spray out. Is it normally a small dribble (so soak up in towel) or if taken off would it just carry on spaying?
 
Exactly which "nut" are you referring to???

Is it one of the two blanking ones at the top edge ends (one has the bleed valve in it)?

AFAIK if you close tight both the supply valves....there will be some pressure in the rad that can be relieved using the bleed valve. Though taking the whole nut out will result in some flow.

HTH maybe?

PS this is a photography forum, show us a picture or two ;)

PPS hmmm! a leak in a rad that just sprung up.......it may be more than just a nut problem???
 
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If its the one at the bottom of the rad then its the drain plug so yes water will come out until the sytem is drained (together with all the anti freeze).
It might be easier to see if you can get a tin of rad sealant,Halfords do a tin for about a fiver
 
Is this a central heating radiator or an internal combustion engine cooling radiator?
 
If it's the nut that holds the pipe in the radiator, you could try wrapping a few turns of PTFE tape around the outside of the olive BUT that's a bit of a bodge. Plumbers' putty might help too.
 
If it's the blanking plug or the bleed fitting, closing both valves at the bottom (usually) of the radiator will remove the pressure in the rad so you should only get a dribble from it.

TBH, unless you're pretty sure how to fix it without causing a flood, I'd get a plumber in - cheaper than paying a potential insurance excess...
 
cambsno said:
Pic would help!!! Top of radiator, other side is the bleed valve


https://flic.kr/p/2hY8cSX
View: https://flic.kr/p/2hY8cSX
Click to expand...
As mentioned in my post above

Close off the supply valves
Bleed it
Leave bleed valve open
Remove blank and replace

Caveats
Be prepared for some to notable liquid
Make sure that system and rad is cold.

Above at your own risk;)

Oh, I repeat ~ just why would a rad leak at that point???
 
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You will need to stop the flow of water into the rad as mentioned above to have a trickle rather than gushing water. It seems to be well used so a replacement blanking plug may not resolve the issue, but worth trying.
 
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