Any other way of bleeding a radiator?

komodosp

Hi folks

The top of my radiator is cold so it obviously needs to be bled. However, the screw that the key turns has broken off! (i.e. the broken part is still in it, but there is nothing for the key to grip to) Is there anything else I can do? It's the main bedroom one, so it needs to be done esp. coming into winter, and also there's a new baby there.

I can't afford a new radiator!

THanks

enviro

What type of rad is it? Maybe post a picture of it if you are unsure.

glenkeo

Hi not sure if this would work, but if you could turn of both the in and out to the radiator and then screw off the fitting that holds the bleed screw (there should be no pressure has the rad is turned off) and replace it with a new one or one from another rad that does not need to be bleeded

mfceiling

Pliers to grab the broken bit of the key?

golfbgud

glenkeo wrote: »

Hi not sure if this would work, but if you could turn of both the in and out to the radiator and then screw off the fitting that holds the bleed screw (there should be no pressure has the rad is turned off) and replace it with a new one or one from another rad that does not need to be bleeded

Some bleed screws are tapped straight into radiator (I have same problem).

sullzz

This not ideal but for worst case scenario you could drill a tiny hole in the top of the rad and screw in a self tapper with a washer , as i said its not ideal , but it works

Ordinary man

I had this problem before. I used a hacksaw to cut a groove into the top of the screw and gently opened it with a flat head screwdriver

JohnDigital

If you are out of luck with the above options, you can loosen the taps drop the radiator forward to the ground so that the taps are at the highest point, then loosen one of the taps further until the air comes out.