cold rad

[redfan]

just one rad cold, cold all over .the heat setting valve seems to be faulty
it turns ok but no heat
any ideas please ?

redfan

[LindyLouLou]

Hi
Im deffo no plumber (not even well trained with DIY!) but could the rad need bleeding (or is that too obvious).
Its just that my hubby needed to bleed 2 of ours last week cos we had them on for the first time since spring. One was totally cold and the other was half cold. He used a key thingy to let the air out so the hot water could circulate.
Hope u get them sorted out
Lynnex

[gasman]

if the rad has a TRV (thermostatic radiator valve) on it . it is comman for them to stick due to the fact that nobody touches them in the warmer months, simply unscrew the valve head & push the piston down & let it come back up on its own . Do this a couple of times to release it & you should be up & running again.. If the piston does not move after a couple of attemps at moving it the valve has seized & needs replacing.
If that does not work try bleeding the rad ... Then if still no joy take the rad off & flush it out , There could be a build up of sludge blocking it . Finally all else fails fit a new rad & valves

[ruthann58]

we have this problem with our thermo valves as gasman said you need to jiggle the pin up and down it sometimes takes a lot more than 2or 3 goes we give ours a squirt of wd 40 to help them get going again ,once they are free they should be fine till next year

[gazzawazza]

Another possibility is that the radiator has been isolated at the valves either side of the rad.
One side may have a cap with a ribbed surface, if so, just try turning it (by hand) anti-clockwise. At the other side of the rad there may be just a smooth covering cap. Take off the plastic cover and you'll see a flat protruberance (!) which you can slip an adjustable spanner on. Try to turn it anti-clockwise (gently). If it moves, open it fully until it stops, once again taking care to do it gently.

[redfan]

thank's to all you all. the trv was, the trouble. i unsrewed the valve and the small pin was stuck . pulled it open with pliers ,squirted some Wd 40. rad back to normal. Thanks again
redfan

[gasman]

Glad it worked... but be cautious about squirting WD40 in to the vale it will rot away the rubber O-ring seal of the piston & eventually flood your house. You should use a silicone based lubricant designed for the lubrication of water seals..