steam heat radiators that are fin like, not cast iron, not working well

PaulaMal

I have steam heat radiators like the ones yoou described as thin metal fins which don't work properly. sometimes they heat up half way, sometimes ice cold. the steam pipes connected to them in my basement are red hot, basement is insulated and steam pipes are insulated. Any ideas why they are not working. They will start to heat up sometimes well and then just fizzle out. Any ideas? Do they have a short life span cause they're not young? Any help would be appreciated.

ethicalpaul

Can you reach the pipe or pipes at the ends of them? Do those get hot? Is there a single pipe connected to each one (probably with a vent device on the other side), or is there one on each end?

neilc

pictures, we love pictures, both ends