Possible leak on steam radiator on seam, nipple

sonicboomin

Hi all, today I noticed this on one of my rads. It had some kind of epoxy on it but slid off. That's why it's dark. There is a small gap there. Anyway I made boiler reach pressure.  I shined flashlight on it looking for steam but didn't see any. If I put ear to it I hear fizzing sound.  Air vent works as I hear it open and close as it should. My pressure is set to lowest possible .5 cut in diff at 1. Not noticing any water loss at the boiler. Nothing wet by that area. If I need to replace anyone have any recommendations to buy a radiator in Central NJ. 

EBEBRATT-Ed

You might find one at a local scrap yard. Burnham sells new ones if you go to their web site

Jamie Hall

If you can hear it fizzing, it may well be leaking -- slightly. But before you go to the trouble of finding a new used radiator, which may well leak worse, I'd try the epoxy bit again -- but use the particular flavour of JB Weld intended for the job. The various kinds of JB Weld are intended for different purposes, and you really need to use the right one. Also, you really need to get the metal clean or the stuff doesn't work.

sonicboomin

There are so many different types of jb weld. Which one do you recommend? 

Jamie Hall

Probably the JB Weld Twin Tube https://www.jbweld.com/product/j-b-weld-twin-tube should be readily available.

ethicalpaul

If the weld fails, I have had great success with used radiators on Craigslist. There are always people foolishly pulling steam systems out of all the great old houses of NJ and selling them for $100 or less.

sonicboomin

So far holding up well. Used the jd weld extreme heat paste.