Advice on radiator tail leak

[lloyda]

The radiator on my landing started to leak last night (well the pipe leading to it anyway). On closer examination I have a longer than normal pipe coming out the the radiator into the valve, which has a step change in radius between the valve and the rad. The leak seems to be coming from the point where the pipe changes diameter.

I guessing that this is some form of adjustable pipe to allow for the fact that the radiator may have been changed ? If so, do I need to replace it, and how is it fixed into the radiator. Not come across one like this before.

I have attached some (rather poor) photos, with the arrow indicating where I think the leak is coming from.

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• lloyda
• 22 Mar 2010
• 1

Untitled

• lloyda
• 22 Mar 2010
• 1

Untitled

• lloyda
• 22 Mar 2010
• 1

If anyone can provide me with some guidance on correct part to replace, and the method for doing so, would really appreciate it.

Many thanks

Lloyd

 

[seco services]

thats an adjustable rad valve tail.
inside is a rubber seal that is probably perished overtime and leaking.

you can replace with another adjustable one or measure the gap and use a fixed length one.

but if you replace with a fixed length one you'll need a rad valve tail that comes with new rad valves to screw into the end of the fixed extension.

 

[Nige F]

Exellent answer- you can get them in Focus DIY

 

[lloyda]

Thanks for the answers. I assume that at the radiator end of the tail, under all that paint, there are some flats to help me undo it. Any tips on the best approach (and I assume it is a standard direction thread) ?

 

[seco services]

if you shut both rad valves off then you can slacken the large 3/4" nut and drain the rad.
make sure you hold the rad valve firm or you'll twist the copper pipe in the valve when slackening the 3/4" nut.
then you can attempt to undo the rad end when rad drained.

 

[lloyda]

I'm sure all will become obvious when I take things apart, but there appears to be nothing with any flats on to unscrew from the radiator end - do I simply use some grips on the round tail, or will something else be revealed when I disconnect the valve end? The part that screws in into the rad is threaded along its entire length.

Also, the threaded part that enters the rad, are all rads the same size?

Thanks

 

[seco services]

I'm sure all will become obvious when I take things apart, but there appears to be nothing with any flats on to unscrew from the radiator end

looks like there is to me just covered in layers of paint.

- do I simply use some grips on the round tail,

no cause the round tail will just turn.

Also, the threaded part that enters the rad, are all rads the same size?

Thanks

1/2" bsp thread yes all the same.

 

[lloyda]

I expected to be covered in paint. However, have scrapped paint away and removed PTFE tape, and is definately threaded along all the exposed bit - no flats I can see.

 

[seco services]

I expected to be covered in paint. However, have scrapped paint away and removed PTFE tape,

what from radiator end ?

and is definately threaded along all the exposed bit - no flats I can see.

whats threaded all the way along ?

 

[lloyda]

Ok. Here's another picture which might make things clearer. Just to confirm, happy with the valve end, its the rad end that I'm talking about.

Untitled

• lloyda
• 22 Mar 2010
• 1

Thanks again for the assistance

 

[seco services]

thats better.

have a look in the end with the 3/4" nut on and is their a allen key fitting in the centre.

 

[lloyda]

Ok. Will have to wait now till I drain the radiator. Probably won't happen until the weekend.

Lloyd

 

[neds]

 

[Nige F]

Smaller than that , Neds . But I can`t remember exactly could be a 10mm . worth buying a cheap set @ Focus DIY with the extension