Removing immersion plugs

[tomplumb83]

Dont think theres any real answer for this other than to man up and flog the thing for all im worth, but....
Any tips on removing immersion plugs?!
Never done one in 15year. Had one this morning on a copper combi cylinder. Would have given it a good seeing to with a hammer but being a bottom entry, it wasnt worth the risk. Tried heat and a pair of pump grips but the water in bottom possibly didnt help. Probably never get another for as long as i live

Basically, what tool would you use - what sized spanner. A pain to get any purchase on it, they should make the nut the same size as an immersion
I half thought about drilling holes through the brass and trying to cut the thing out. Like i say, i thought about it....

 

[tomplumb83]

Oh... im doing some work for a solar panel company so will probably get another to do before long, top entry

 

[JCSPLUMBING]

Big pair of 24 inch Stilsons and heat.

 

[mountainman]

I usually use plenty of heat, the water issue can most times be resolved by siphoning.

 

[drip-dry]

Well yah, first try a little heat and see how you go but plugs can be a bi-tch,however the seal that is being a pig to turn is not the thread ,it is the top gasket joint,probably with added boss white or other jointing compound helping it to remain in place even with your 24'' stillies...the trick I use is to break this seal first,I do this by cutting side ways into the jointing gasket with a hacksaw blade preferred or a junior,do this all round the flange ,to the inner thread and you should then be able to un-thread plug ok
:smile:

you can drill out but using above method ,have not needed to..

 

[Mike Jackson]

I just get the 18" bahco on it with the cylinder full for strength. Once it starts to move drain the cylinder and take out.

 

[tomplumb83]

Ok thanks to all

Not sure about siphoning a combi cylinder, it sounds more trouble than its worth although might give it a go next time

I know Im wrong but.... never took a lot of notice but Im sure I remember seeing the thread of the cylinder meaning that there was no gasket, it was just relying on the threads and ptfe/jointing compound - literally a plug. Which might explain why it was difficult. Wish I'd taken a photo but you can see in the one the company supplied to me, the flange is clearly visable!

I think if I would have given it the 18"/24" it might have shifted but I was twisting the copper with my pump grips whilst hanging off the end of em. Tried with hammer and chisel. I did all the heavy work when the cylinder was full but didn't want to carry on once it started damaging the cylinder. £200...
Would have been ok if it was an immersion to remove.

Cant upload a pic....

 

[tomplumb83]

 

[Whyme]

As above loads of heat if poss to soften whatever paste etc was used, I have split a cylinder before doing just that. A quick "this is what i have to do and this is what can happen" talk may be needed.🙂

 

[Leo21]

As Mike days, big adjustable and hammer with water in for strength. Or bone empty with oodles of heat.

 

[gasmanrob]

As Mike days, big adjustable and hammer with water in for strength. Or bone empty with oodles of heat.

A water filled hammer?......

 

[Leo21]

A water filled hammer?......

Haven't you got one then?

 

[gasmanrob]

Haven't you got one then?

No I opted for the corded version after my cordless hammer packed up

 

[Best]

I also cut the washer with a junior hacksaw (at outer side so no saw damage to cylinder).
I drain cylinder & heat the immersion with Surefire if I can, but foam insulation is a pain.
Maybe keeping the water in the cylinder is wise for strength though.

 

[stani]

I think if I would have given it the 18"/24" it might have shifted but I was twisting the copper with my pump grips whilst hanging off the end of em. Tried with hammer and chisel. I did all the heavy work when the cylinder was full but didn't want to carry on once it started damaging the cylinder. £200...
Would have been ok if it was an immersion to remove.


I think that it's too late now for anything, once the copper starts distorting all the strength has gone, new cylinder me thinks.

 

[gasmanrob]

I've stitch drilled into one just enough to get a hacksaw blade in and cut it out before took ages but did the job. Cut a pizza slice out which ment I could fold the rest with a set of grips. Removing the award from the water was fun after

 

[tomplumb83]

I've stitch drilled into one just enough to get a hacksaw blade in and cut it out before took ages but did the job. Cut a pizza slice out which ment I could fold the rest with a set of grips. Removing the award from the water was fun after

Yep this would have been the best bet after my failure.

For those talking about cutting a washer....
Im fairly sure there wasn't one!

Probably should have removed a big chunk of the insulation and set fire to the cylinder - im sure it would have moved then.

Anyway I palmed the job off,theyre not having an immersion now.
Tomorrow is another day!

 

[solutions]

When I have removed immerssion blanking plugs before I have cleared the insulation for a good 200mm around the plug and heated the cylinder. It always takes more heat than you think but have never had heat fail before,although I have applied one of those in the can freezing kits to the plug after Heating the cylinder on one that just didn't want to budge and it shifted like it had never been stuck. I replace the insulation with gun grade expanding foam.

 

[Whyme]

If you leave water in the heat thing ain't gonna work. And swinging on stillsons cold may split the thing..May not have happened to many but it has me so take care pal.

 

[tomplumb83]

There might have been too much water inside to apply heat to be fair.
Never tried siphoning but it was a combi cylinder so no chance of threading my orange rubber hose through the feed pipe.
Drilling it might have been an option