Worn bleed screw

[melodymaker]

The bleed screw in my radiator doesn't turn when I engage the key. The main nut is sealed from years of painting so I cannot get to that either.

Is there a special tool that can get the screw out so I can replace it ?

 

[dextrous]

Long nose pliers have done it for me in the past.

 

[JohnD]

Is the bleed screw set into a square recess? If so, buy a radiator key. This is like a big allen key. It will enable you to unscrew the plug that the bleed pin sits in, and fit a new plug with new pin. The new one will probably do up with an ordinary spanner. You will have to scrape the paint out.

Buy the new one first and wrap PTFE tape round its thread

Turn off the rad valves at both ends first or water will squirt out.

 

[JayJay1978]

In my experience when looking at a brass bleed key, the flats have a chamfer on the end so it encourages slipping.

Try filing down the end to expose more of the flats to get a better grip on the valve.

 

[twgas]

try removing some of the paint first!