Help bleeding THIS radiator

Naffa · 10 Mar 2013 at 11:23

Hey there folks, idiotic student alert.

I have had a browse, and I can't find any information on how to bleed this particular radiator. All the others in this house just have slots, and you can bleed them with a key, but not so here.

The radiator looks exactly the same on the other side, I might add.

I can't get the grill at the top to come off. I can just give the landlord a call, but I'd much rather do it myself, as it's hopefully quite simple.

Thanks a bunch guys.

PhilthyPhil · 10 Mar 2013 at 11:32

If it has an end cap on both ends you can't bleed it. It should have a bleed valve on one end and a cap on the other. Unless the rad has a bleed valve built into it

Nikumba · 10 Mar 2013 at 11:32

Looking at the stain on the paint, would suggest the last person has unscrewed that end slightly

spookywillow · 10 Mar 2013 at 11:37

Yeah just undo that large nut and it will bleed, I had to do ours recently and the whole nut unscrewed instead of the bleed screw

Naffa · 10 Mar 2013 at 11:58

Ok, now I just have to acquire some mole grips.

THANKS!

Orionaut · 10 Mar 2013 at 12:08

Naffa said:
Ok, now I just have to acquire some mole grips.

THANKS!

NOOOOooooooo!

Fittings that one wishes to destroy one first uses Mole grips/Pipe wrenches on!

Use a properly fitting socket, A ring spanner or (as a matter of last resort) a Good Quality adjustable spanner!

Hedge · 10 Mar 2013 at 12:14

A pretty cheap adjustable spanner isn't going to do any harm. Ignore the comment above insisting on a good quality one.

It's not a tight nut that would pose any risk of slipping.

BigBoy · 10 Mar 2013 at 12:28

Adjustable spanner or socket never mole grips!

Maccapacca · 10 Mar 2013 at 12:31

Those nuts have a very shallow face anything adjustable can ruin them if you get it wrong, a spanner is what you want

benjo · 10 Mar 2013 at 12:35

Use your teeth.

Fuzz · 10 Mar 2013 at 13:10

With that nut looking like it's somewhat recessed into the radiator cowling. A SOCKET is the most appropriate tool to use on it.

Adam · 10 Mar 2013 at 13:25

I have a couple of these radiators and the bleed valve should go in in that space. The fitment is exactly the same but has a built in bleed valve.

Looks like someone has fitted it incorrectly.

Naffa · 10 Mar 2013 at 13:45

Thanks guys, but the mole grips comment was a joke, hence the '

'.

Of course a socket or spanner!

Nightglow · 10 Mar 2013 at 18:33

You can get a bleed vent from Screwfix for £2:99p, you can turn off the the TVR & check valve, then replace one of those blank plugs, you'll loose a bit of water.
So you might need to top up the system afterwards, but, it will make it easier to bleed the radiator in the future.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/radiator-vent-blanking-plug-chrome-bsp/40972?_requestid=199123

Also bleed the radiator cold.

Adam · 10 Mar 2013 at 20:25

Nightglow said:
You can get a bleed vent from Screwfix for £2:99p, you can turn off the the TVR & check valve, then replace one of those blank plugs, you'll loose a bit of water.
So you will need to top up the system afterwards, but, it will make it easier to bleed the radiator in the future.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/radiator-vent-blanking-plug-chrome-bsp/40972?_requestid=199123

Also bleed the radiator cold.

This is what mine has, this valve was included with the radiator so seems like someone didn't read the instructions properly

Gilly · 11 Mar 2013 at 00:05

Nightglow said:
Also bleed the radiator cold.

Sorry, why is this?

Surely best is radiators warm but system off?

Nightglow · 11 Mar 2013 at 07:11

Gilly said:
Sorry, why is this?

Surely best is radiators warm but system off?

Gilly, there no standard method of bleeding the air,everyone has their way of doing it, some prefer system hot, others cold.
When I trained nearly 30 years, my instructor always recommended bleeding cold, & system off as there's always a risk that air might be drawn into the system with the system running, also hot water expands, that's why there a expansion tank in a open or closed system, as the water cools then you may draw in more air again.

Yaayuh! · 11 Mar 2013 at 08:13

You don't bleed it.
If i were you i'd drain the system and fit a bleed valve on one of the ends and then refill it.

Maccapacca · 11 Mar 2013 at 08:28

No need just close the valves off and by virtue that he wants to bleed it there won't be any liquid there anyway, install nipple win

Gilly · 11 Mar 2013 at 11:00

Nightglow said:
Gilly, there no standard method of bleeding the air,everyone has their way of doing it, some prefer system hot, others cold.
When I trained nearly 30 years, my instructor always recommended bleeding cold, & system off as there's always a risk that air might be drawn into the system with the system running, also hot water expands, that's why there a expansion tank in a open or closed system, as the water cools then you may draw in more air again.

The fact that water expands when hot means it is better to bleed at that point.

If you do it with lower pressure (as the system has cold water in it) you're likely to introduce air to the system at the point you open the valve, surely?

Help bleeding THIS radiator

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