Air vent leaking

KK85

I have a fin pipe radiator underneath my kitchen sink, the vent is leaking steam.  Not sure if I can just tighten it or if should replace it.  If replacement is needed please feel free to recommend a replacement.  Thank you.

EdTheHeaterMan

It looks like a Hoffman #508 but I can't be sure.

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Hoffman-401475-508-1-8-Straight-Steam-Convector-Air-Valve-3521000-p
https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.supplyhouse.com/manuals/1300973575206/51493_PROD_FILE.pdf

reggi

EdTheHeaterMan said:

It looks like a Hoffman #508 but I can't be sure. https://www.supplyhouse.com/Hoffman-401475-508-1-8-Straight-Steam-Convector-Air-Valve-3521000-p https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.supplyhouse.com/manuals/1300973575206/51493_PROD_FILE.pdf

These can be disassembled and cleaned in place ? Ya ? Nay ?

KK85

Thank you for the responses, I guess my best bet is to cut an access panel above the vent.  Remove the vent and boil it in water/vinegar for an hour.  If it doesn’t fix the issue would using a straight vari vent work since it’s available locally.

pecmsg

Can you post better pictures?

KK85

It’s hard to get detailed pictures because of the space, here is another attempt.  I think the first one have MAN WATER, Hoffman?  Thanks 

pecmsg

Do you actually get heat out of that?
Adapting this is a better solution:
https://www.supplyhouse.com/Beacon-Morris-K120-K120-Twin-Flo-III-Kick-Space-Heater

KK85

That looks interesting, but would it work on steam?  I am a little confused now, I have steam heat could that possibly be a hot water vent?

KK85

I took it a part and it’s Hoffman #500 for steam or hot water.  What looks like gasket is in pieces.  Can I use a rubber gasket and use it? 

JUGHNE

There may have been a "wafer" in that that swelled and closed the vent when water hit it.

IMO, you would be better off with a proper steam vent, if you have steam.

If water then just a manual air vent. That was considered an auto vent for water, I believe.

DanHolohan

Hoffman used to offer those hydrostatic discs. I don’t know if they still do. It’s not the best vent for steam because the disc takes a while to dry between cycles. 

Waher

Hoffman replaced that model with the 508 which still uses moisture sensitive disk to close.
https://www.supplyhouse.com/Hoffman-401475-508-1-8-Straight-Steam-Convector-Air-Valve-3521000-p

I think you'd be better served using a Hoffman 41 convector air valve instead of the 508 which uses a better steam float to close if you don't mind having it stick up into the bottom of that cabinet.
https://www.supplyhouse.com/Hoffman-401455-41-1-8-Straight-Steam-Convector-Air-Valve-3518000-p

KK85

Thank you all for the help, I went to my local heating/plumbing supply store.  He doesn’t carry Hoffman and recommended the Varivalve.  I went with it and so far no noise or leak.