Old Steam Traps

adayton_2

soak in vinegar.

Alfred

Sean McKivergan

Re-Using old steam traps

Anyone have any comments on how to remove the cap on old Mepco angle steam traps ? I would like to install new elements rather than pay for the whole trap. I've tried soaking in Kerosene for a few months, candle grease, heat torch etc to no avail. Anyone have any other ideas ? Obviously these traps have been in use for over a decade.

Thanks
Sean

Ernie

Traps

Jim Bennett

Traps

I have a 1/2" electric impact wrench and set of large sockets that I can fit to most traps. Spins 'em right off.

Jim

adayton_2

vinegar......oops

sorry I thought you had them off already and needed to clean them out inside. (use vinegar) you need to first scrape off the likely 1/16 inch of paint that encircles the cap. use a small portable battery operated Dremel Moto TOol if necessary to GENTLY remove the paint skin just down to the brass. This paint makes it necessary to apply TONS of excessive torque to break loose the cap (you can actually shear or chew up the hex nut). Once the paint is removed you need of course to apply strong back-up pressure at the base of the trap mounting hex in the obverse direction of unscrewing the cap. You should have a helper hold this back-up wrench and apply the "holding" force while you apply SHARP thumping blows to your wrench on the trap cap(use a rather hefty lead hammer applied to the end of the wrench). If a couple of solid smacks does not start it loose then give it a couple of smacks in the reverse (tightening direction) then resume popping it in the unscrewing direction. I removed 70 year old Trane radiator steam traps caps like this for inspection and cleaning.
Alfred

gerry gill

i use a tool called

a torque multiplier..

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