Leaky Steam Radiator Sections

BWG

Hello,



I have 3 vintage steam radiators (Grove Radiator) that leak between their sections. These rads have either 2 or 3 sections with 2 tubes per section. There appear to be no threaded rods holding the sections together but there is a manufactures medalion cap at the end of the upper unions. I'm guessing these units must have threaded nipples between the sections and are not repairable, but am seeking opinions and suggestions. Please see attached photos.

furnacefigher15

Push nipples

The nipples are most likely what we call push nipples. But then again, I don't see any draw rods.



Push nipples are sort of like compression sleeves, they are made of a softer material then the cast iron, and physically distort to fill the voids when squeezed into the openings of the castings. If they were used, the sections could be pried apart.



I can't be certain, but if the nipples were threaded, there would need to be more room between the sections to allow for a wrench. If they are threaded, you will not be able to get them out. They would have been a special nipple with both a left hand and a right hand thread on opposite ends.



I would be temped to try an epoxy such as JB weld.



Also, there are companies that specialize in restoring radiators.



Good luck

Abracadabra

JB Weld

I've had very good luck repairing leaking radiators with JB Weld.  The area where you will apply it tho must be very clean or you will be wasting you time.  It will be very difficult to clean the area inside the 2 sections.  It looks like 2 of your sections have seperated.  If you use a dremel with an extension and/or a drill with an extension and a very small wire brush attachment you might be able to clean the area well enough to get good adhesion for the JB Weld to do it's trick.







I'm just wondering how those 2 sections seperated that much.  How much pressure are you running on the pressuretrol?

Steamhead

I replied to your e-mail, BWG

call me when you get a chance.

Mike Kusiak_2

Another idea

Another way to repair the leak between the sections is to wrap a strip of sheet rubber around the joint and fasten in place with a large stainless steel hose clamp. You can completely open the clamp so that the separated ends can be passed around the joint then reconnected and tightened over the rubber.



Its best to clean the rusted surface well before wrapping with the rubber strip. If the surface is badly pitted, applying some silicone RTV first can help to insure a good seal.



It appears that the sections might be held together by a clamp bolt or sleeve inserted through the top and bottom joint connection bores.

Hap_Hazzard

Threaded nipples

Actually, those threaded nipples are accessed from the inside by taking those end caps off, then the wrench goes through the center, much like a spud wrench. The nipples are right-hand threaded on one end and left-handed on the other, so when you turn them they pull the sections together or push them apart.



This might have been a matter of someone having assembled the sections without thread sealing compound, but now that it's rusted it's probably too late, and from what I've heard, no one makes these nipples anymore. The epoxy might work if it's applied like thread compound, but the parts would have to be cleaned thoroughly. I'd try soda blasting them.

Bob Gagnon plumbing and heating

Salt-Old School Method

Rub some salt between the leaking sections, I've seen this work twice

nicholas bonham-carter

Old school methods

I like the idea of rubbing salt into the joints. Could rusty water drained from the lwco, and allowed to sit in the radiator build up a rusty layer capable of sealing the joints ,work?--NBC

BWG

RE: Leaky Steam Radiator Sections

Thanks to all, for your comments and suggestions.



Looks I'll need to remove those end caps in order to verify if the sections are joined with threaded or push nipples. I think it's likely those end are concealing threaded draw rods rather than threaded nipples? Either way it looks like it'll take a specialized tool to remove those caps.



If the radiators are indeed joined with push nipples I'd be interested in having them professionally restored, by separating, cleaning (perhaps soda blasting) and then rejoining the sections with new push nipples.



If the sections are joined with threaded nipples, then I'd probably prefer to search for reconditioned replacements rather than fool around with temporary fixes like JD Weld or rubbing with salt.



These radiators are in a restored 19th century home, so although wrapping them with rubber sheets and binding straps might work, it isn't an option in this case due to the aesthetic issues.





As for the pressure setting on my pressuretrol unit; it's set to 1 psi.

The unit it's self is probably 8 years old or so. It's a small size Honeywell, but I'm

not sure of the exact model. Here's a photo...