Rad won’t bleed

ted1 wrote: »

I’ve a rad that only heats 1/3 of the way. I can’t get it to bleed as I suspect the valve is rounded and the bleed key can’t grip it.

All other rads are ok.

What would my options be? Would a self taping screw work ?

Try squeezing a tight 1/4 socket onto it ?

Been there, done that, have the tee shirt. Some options:

1. drill and tap another bleed point at the other end of the radiator.
2. remove the radiator from the wall, take it to a welder and he can put a bit of braze on the bleed nipple, enough for you to get a good grip on it with a pliers.
2. try get the bleed screw out with a 'easy out', i.e. a left hand tap. Again, you will most probably have to remove the radiator (if the bleed screw is on the inside face).

Modern radiators no longer have this issue, instead of the bleed screw going straight into the radiator it goes into a 'bushing'. Any problems with the bleed screw you just removed the bushing (which will have the bleed screw in it).