Will not turn, any suggestions

Michael_16

Hey guys,
Trying to replace air vents on my single pipe steam system, but the old vents are frozen in place. Any suggestions how loosen them up?

bob young

more muscle

They are brass & will unscrew you might a little more muscle. worst case scenario--they break & you chop them out. [ maybe one in a hundred will snap. so the odds are with you. ] no big deal. very do-able.

Weezbo

iron wins

brass gots to give it up:)

Michael Wesolowski

I am Afraid?*!*#

Hi Guys,
The system is over 77 years old, and when I make attempts to turn the nut the main shakes--I afraid it will break! Is there any junk I can spray on it to loosen it up? Or should I just wack it? I'm no plumberHVAC guy... OK, ok.. what tools should I use and what should I look for to avoid a big problem?

Weezbo

brass is lighter than iron...

so if you have a torch heat the takeoff to the vent and wrap two wet raggs around every thing left and right of the take off,when it is looking plenty hot tap it three stout wraps with a hammer( the part you just heated,quick qrap q ragg around the brass canister and immediately throw a gert wrench on the vent,put tension on it and smack the handel of the wrench a good sharp rap that should have loosened it if not hit it another sharp rap.

there it is

ScottMP

Two Wrenchs

Always... Thsi is one of those things that gets beatin inot the apprentices. Hold back woith one wrnech and turn with the other, That was the pipe won't shake and you won't break it.

Or .... Call a Pro

Scott

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Michael_16

Yea, well... The Pro is not returning calls.

I did call a pro. They installed the boiler, ana an indirect hot water tank and a cold return then said they would be back to tweak the system and they never came back. I have called and left numerous messages but to no avial. So, now I (A person who does not even change the oil in my car) has to fix it. I live in a rural one "HVAC guy" town--so my options to call someone else is very limited.

Bob W._3

Mike, if you can't get your HVAC guy I think any competent mechanic or tradesman could give you a hand; lots of old retired guys around with those skills. Good luck.