Radiator adjustment

cmckinney

Newbie to radiator heat. One bedroom is extremely warm even with thermostat only set to 66 which leaves the downstairs chilly. There is no turn knob on this particular radiator and we have been trying to no avail to turn the bolt pictured as assuming this is what would adjust. Please advise.

The other picture with usa cor below is what we believe to be the bleed valve, can someone confirm?

Any help appreciated. Thank you

Fred

What you are trying to turn looks like the valve stem nut. It looks like the stem might have been broken off. If that's the case, you don't want to turn that as it will start a leak that you probably won't be able to stop. I'd say you need to have a new valve installed on that radiator.

Steamhead

My question is, why are the other radiators so cold? Maybe they're air bound or there's a system-wide circulation problem?

Might be time to call a pro. Where are you located?

cmckinney

The other radiators aren't cold at all they all heat up fine, this bedroom is just getting too much heat for its size and door is kept shut at night due to my daughter being a light sleeper. Here are a couple more views of the nut. Doesn't look like anything broken off to me but like I said I am a newbie.

Located in central N.Y.

Any idea on cost for a new valve installed?

Fred

There are no additional pictures?? I'm pretty certain that nut is the stem nut and the stem is missing. If it's not broken, someone along the way either cut the stem off or took the stem out and used some kind of filler. In any case, you don't want to loosen that nut. Also, we don't discuss pricing on this site. It's not fair to the Pro's and pricing will vary significantly from region to region.

cmckinney

Sorry about the missing pictures and for asking about pricing I didn't realize asking for a round about range was out of line so my apologies. Thank you for your guidance!

Abracadabra

Looks to me like a flat blade screwdriver is needed to operate that valve.

Fred

Abracadabra said:

Looks to me like a flat blade screwdriver is needed to operate that valve.

Yes it does, if he can get the paint out of the slot and from around the threads. Do you think it has some kind of butterfly (damper like) flow control inside? When the slot is Parallel, valve is fully open, any position other that parallel would be incrementally restrictive???

cmckinney

We did try a screwdriver however the "notch" is incredibly shallow, even after paint cleaned out with goof off, that the screwdriver can't grip into it.

Koan

I have to agree with @Steamhead though - if this is above your head better to call in a pro than break it off or break the nearby pipe and flood your house

I think it is possible the "screw driver slot" may just be an indicator. See the small arrow in the left bushing - I assume these are to align to allow full flow.

Some of this may help. It will be very difficult to turn that nut with all that paint on the threads below. First get all the paint off down to bare metal. use a chemical stripper and a small wire brush particularly under the nut and between the inside and the indicator. put a pan and a protective tarp on the floor first.

This is definitely a device to be turned. once the area is completely clear of paint, spray some PB Blaster on the indicator and the threads under the nut. wait 10 minutes, tap it with a hammer but not so hard as to deform anything. Spray it again, tap it with a hammer again, and wait until the next day.

put a wrench or socket on the nut and try to turn it counter clock wise as you are looking down on it.

It may be that slightly loosening the nut may allow the screw slot (indicator) part to turn. It appears to be a flow adjuster that you can turn to reduce flow then tighten it back.

There does exist some risk you could break this and get water all over. If you are putting a lot of force into it with no result I would call in a pro rather than risk breaking it or stripping the nut.

Brewbeer

A temporary fix might be to limit the heat output of the radiator, which can be accomplished by covering it with something.