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Graphite crinkle tape for radiator valve stem stuffing?

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pacoit
pacoit Posts: 126
in Strictly Steam

In my vapor vacuum steam heat system, I have "pseudo packless" valves on my radiators (the kind with a thick internal spring); I've tried different packing material and solutions, but they don't last. The last attempt was with graphite braided teflon string/rope plus vacuum grease. This worked (a few weeks) with the loss of 1"Hg per ~2 hrs, but the faded to 1 hr or much less.

I haven't tried graphite crinkle tape. Does anyone have experience or knowledge of its effectiveness in this application? Is it better to use the type with or without adhesive? Thanks.

Comments

  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Posts: 4,616

    @PMJ has a Steam / Vacuum system, I don't know if he has repaired any valves. If he has maybe he has a recommendation.

    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Posts: 4,616

    They don't seem to like the Teflon here.

    Best Valve Stem packing for Single Pipe Steam valve?

    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/182139/best-valve-stem-packing-for-single-pipe-steam-valve

    There are other threads and more suggestion, I searched "how to steam valve packing"

    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
  • PMJ
    PMJ Posts: 1,325

    My 21 Mouat valves just turned 100 this year. Tightened the stem on a few 20+ years ago when I first started the vacuum thing and I could hear air leaking in between burns. Haven't touched any since.

    1926 1000EDR Mouat 2 pipe vapor system,1957 Bryant Boiler 463,000 BTU input, Natural vacuum operation with single solenoid vent, Custom PLC control
  • jumper
    jumper Posts: 2,624

    Vacuum grease on stem and on threads. All threads. If it works on high vacuum why can't it hold low vacuum? Perhaps we need higher temperature grease? Unless you have to adjust valve there must be stuff to shrink wrap valve.

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Posts: 21,169

    Never Seize can take high temps. I would think that would be a good lube along with graphite packing.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Posts: 18,231

    my bet is the packing is compressing and you don't need to keep replacing it but just keep adding more as it compresses half a dozen times or so.

    when it has a spring it is trickier, with the conventional kind you put some in, tighten the nut, loosen the nut and ad some more, and repeat a couple times until you have a solid mass of packing. you need to be somewhat gentle, don't tighten the nut more than until it starts getting solid or you can crack the packing nut or bend the washer that forms the bottom of the packing box if it is that type of valve.

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