Radiator Air Vent screw broken

[Paul Cockhill]

Hi

I have been draining down a large old (one pipe) central heating system and all of the radiator bleed screws have been difficult to release. However I have done them all except one which has snapped off in the radiator.

Anyone know of any great ideas or specialist tools to remove it?

Only thing I can think of is closing the valves and removing the radiator and possibly replacing the radiator

any ideas would be welcome

regards

Paul🙂

 

[justlead1]

Hi. If you can get a drill to it? Drill out to a size you have a tap and screw / bolt for. Put a bit of ptfe around tread and screw in. Good Luck

 

[easyt]

Happened to me some 30 years ago with a large towel rail. Instead of retapping I drilled a series of holes in a line across the centre using a very fine drill bit. Metal was quite soft. I hammered a small chisel into this and then a small screwdriver into this, applied easing oil and a little heat alternately for 10 mins and then was able to gain purchase to unscrew.

Seem to remember having trouble finding a suitable bleed screw and managed to scrounge a chromed self bleeding valve to screw in.

 

[so-solar]

i have heard of but never used them...... easy-outs!

 

[easyt]

i have heard of but never used them...... easy-outs!

Used one many years ago for a broken stud on Jap motorbike. Drill centre and screw in (opposite thread to existing) and when it tightens starts to undo the broken stud. Again used heat and easing oil.

 

[Mbear]

i have heard of but never used them...... easy-outs!

Wonderful bit of kit to have in the van, I've got a few different sizes in plastic box.

As said above the threads go the opposite way so they bite into the drilled hole. If the easy out shears in the hole then ur really up 'poo' creek without a paddle, god knows how you'd get that out, u'd be looking at changing the rad if this happened.

 

[turnpin]

does this bleed pin not sit in the center of some form of bush that can be removed and replaced completely?🙂regards turnpin

 

[Bungditin]

If it's an 1/2" vent plug with vent screw in the middle then you can replace that.

 

[WHPES]

Is there a hexagon shaped hole around where the bleed nipple was? If so, you put a radiator key into it and remove the entire plug.

 

[james7575]

i have the same problem, my plumber says i need a new rad. is there any other way?