Leaking Radiator Control Valve Help

Keith_23

I've got a hotwater baseboard radiator (<a href="http://www.tetonsoftware.com/1.jpg">Radiator cover</a>) that is leaking at the control valve(see pic <a href="http://www.tetonsoftware.com/3.jpg">Control Valve</a>) . The radiator is pretty old (~60 years although it may be a replacement due to covered holes near existing copper risers).

The radiator (pipes and fins) is 3' long by 5.5" wide. There are 3 pipes running lengthwise thru the fins. The ends appear to be cast iron. (see <a href="http://www.tetonsoftware.com/2.jpg">Fins</a>)

Should I just take the whole thing off, replace the valve and then solder it back on or should I replace it with something new. If new what do I use? I cannot find anything like it.

lza

Control Valve

Keith,



Your pic of the control valve looks like a hand valve.  Where on the valve is it leaking?

Keith_23

Leaking Radiator Control Valve Help

I am not positive. I think its the shaft. But there is green corrosion on the valve body above the shaft (See pix below). I suppose I should quit thinking about it and wrench out the innards and look for a replacement.

Bottom View

Top View

The whole thing is ancient though, I would like a "replace it all if necessary" backup plan. Current one is to shallow up the cavity by putting sheets of insulation with a final layer of drywall in and then sub in a slantfin fin/tube bare element. With a new control valve and air extractor (if thats what its called).

lza

Hand valve

Keith,



Spray everything with penetrating oil, unscrew the black handle off of the valve, and then try to undo the packing nut.  Its leaking out of the stem.   If you replace the hand valve, you'll probably have to unsweat or cut the copper underneath so that you have the correct length for the new hand valve.  If you decide to replace the valve, you will need a "key" to remove the spud--the top union nut of the valve--or you can remove the bushing above the  valve and get a new bushing. 



A bit of a pain!  I would just try to tear the valve apart and replace the packing.  Or maybe the packing nut just needs to be tightened. 

Keith_23

Thank You

I'm off to get the oil. Thanks You.



Keith