Smell from NYC Radiator

Jersey2

Is that moisture, under the connector? Or is it just a darker color?

SRubi

I think it is just a darker color

neilc

i'm pickey,
from the knob down to where the brass thread, silver thread, is welded to the header,
the joint in my circle,

and if you have pliers or a wrench,
is this nut loose at all ?

SRubi

I don't have the best wrench but it doesn't seem to be loose

neilc

the supply 90s and threads look pretty rusty also,
olive oil ?
a better alternative ?
rag them off first to knock off the heavy rust then vacuum,

that one last picture of my circle?

neilc

Jersey2 said:

Is that moisture, under the connector? Or is it just a darker color?

what about inside the back box, under the 1st supply 90, that little stain in the corner,
does that smudge?

SRubi

Yes, I took a paper towel to it and some black/gray stuff came off onto the towel

Jamie Hall

You're doing fine. Thank you. You say it smells a little like hot iron? Such as, perhaps, it might be a hot cast iron pan, or a hot clothes iron? I wonder if there is a bit of a steam leak at the valve or at one of the fittings. That might actually be worst when the system is heating up., but would be very hard to see -- the moisture would all evaporate very quickly.

SRubi

Yeah a very metallic smell. It does tend to smell the worst, I’ve noticed, when the heat has been off for a day or over night and it kicks back on. It also smells when it’s off for long periods of time, like if there’s a string of warmer days. When it’s running more consistently it doesn’t smell as bad. 

neilc

next time you're smelling it and the heat is steaming,
reach in there with the cold silver salad spoon and see if you can catch a jet of steam condensation while floating around in there,

and try "oiling" those rusted 90's on the supply,

dopey27177

The fins in the convector are very dirty and loaded with surface dust.

Try this to rid the odors and also clean the aluminum fins which will help the heat transfer of the uit.

Spray the fins with Zep calcium, rust and lime remove. This item is supposed to be odor free and will not damage the aluminum fins.

If it works you will be happy if it dose not work you can use it to clean the tile, fixtures and windows in the bathroom and appliance surfaces in the kitchen.

Jake

SRubi

Next time it’s a strong smell I will try holding a spoon up and I will work on cleaning out the fins. Thank you! I’ll report back! 

pecmsg

try looking for a steam leak but wash out the coil in the mean time!