Radiator cast iron expanding & related noise

M.Naughton

I have a one pipe steam system which for the most part is operating well. One particular radiator always emits a cracking noise when the steam hits the radiator. It sounds like the cast iron is expanding and is rubbing against itself. I've tried tightening the threaded rods holding the radiator fins together - but perhaps not tight enough.

Am I on the right track or could there be another cause for the expanding metal sound?

Thanks!

Bill Nye_2

How about

where the pipe comes through the floor? Is there enough space around the pipe or does it rub? How about the feet of the radiator, maybe put something under it so it could slide? Shim stock or something?

M.Naughton

thanks for the suggestion but its definitely a metallic sound. The vertical pipe isn't rubbing against the opening in the floor and the radiator is up on shims already.

Is it better to keep the tie rods holding the radiator together extra tight so mitigates metal expansion or should I keep the rods loose so that the metal is free to expand?

Thanks again!

Jamie Hall

crack!

two thoughts... does it leak? Can you live with the noise? if so, it ain't broke, so don't fix it -- in my experience, radiators are nasty treacherous beasts to play with. I would be rather suspicious, though, of something in the piping moving as it expanded, rather than a noise in the radiator.