Radiator Screw

[Sir Brixalot]

I can't bleed the radiator because the screw is just spinning. It's in tight so no fluid is coming out but there's a lot of air in it. It was a decent brand I bought it from Brickwerks and I know it wasn't over tightened as I fitted the radiator myself . I it was stripped wouldn't is come out easily, it feels as if something is spinning inside the rad? Any ideas or do I have to sell out again for a new rad

[lloydy]

Is the thread the screw screws into spinning as well?

[Oldiebut goodie]

This has cropped up quite a few times - there must be something like superglue that will suck in under capillary action and hold it. A pity the plastic insert isn't square so that it can't spin.

[colinthefox]

there must be something like superglue that will suck in under capillary action and hold it.

http://www.axminster.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ................search on their site for product 506315.................thin as water.

When using it put one drop in the gap, wait for a couple of minutes, put one drop in the gap, wait, drop, wait, drop. When gap is full you're done. Brilliant stuff.

[Oldiebut goodie]

The trouble with superglue like that is that it is very brittle and the differential expansion and heat will soon destroy the bond - if it makes one with the plastic at all. ( That's why I said something like superglue) Something like Captain Tolley's product doesn't harden completely but may not grip sufficiently. It is a difficult thing to devise a satisfactory solution for - you have 3 problems, heat, water and plastic to metal surface.

[Sir Brixalot]

Yes LLoyd that's how it seems, no air or water escapes. I wonder if it'll be covered in the warranty. Cost £130ish. I've been through a couple of header tanks as well probably because of the air building up in the rad. No space to inject anything

OBG can you recall who had the same problem?

[lloydy]

As long as your system doesn't air lock, air in the top of the rad won't cause header tank problems. As for warranty, depends how old it is. One year is the norm. Send brickwerks a email, just remember they didn't make it, that was Hella.

[Ian Hulley]

Usually caused in the first place by over-tightening

Ian

[Oldiebut goodie]

This ended up as a new rad I think:

Amazing, got the thermostat housing swapped with the replacement from Aiden. I took cunning and, in the end, a stinking great chisel and a hammer.

Next problem: stupid radiator bleed screw is just a spinnin' and a spinnin'! Local GSF has one in stock (a 44 radiator that is) so changing the thermostat has now run close to £500 with parts, new tools and sundries.

Don't know what happened with this one:

Ok here is the problem.
Having emptied the coolant out my van. Flushed it all through etc. I have now discovered that the bleed screw at the top of the radiator just turns, it doesn't undo or do up. Bollox.

So my question is A) can I bleed the system without undoing that screw. B) how.

It's really annoying as everything else service wise has been great.

Help always appreciated.

And Aidan in 2012:

I have a customers van where the threaded insert the screw is in rotates in the plastc so doesn't loosen at all, will require a replacement radiator for that one
by Aidan
Sat Jun 23, 2012 2:18 pm


No one has mentioned a fix.

[CJH]

I wonder if it would be possible to peen a little notch in the neck of the outer casing to hold the inner threaded part still.

[CovKid]

Several peens I should think.

[Sir Brixalot]

Deffo didn't tighten it too much when I fitted it but it's had a lot of work done since then so who knows. I had put aside one of those cheap ECP just in case but sold it. When my header tanks have gone previously it was soon followed by major engine trouble. I'm seriously thinking of calling it quits and giving up on my van.

[lloydy]

I'm seriously thinking of calling it quits and giving up on my van.

I get this feeling most years, then do a trip similar to yours and all is forgiven

[Smcknighty]

Most of the rad is ok it sounds - maybe speak to a radiator refurb company? They may have good ways of replacing the bleed screw (or maybe adding another?)

[Sir Brixalot]

Brickwerks were hopeful that Hella would sort something out but no joy so I'll have a look at a repair. Thanks for the idea. I did find a company on German Ebay that were supplying radiators for £60 but the feedback was a bit mixed, still might give it a go. Paypal should cough up if something goes wrong