radiator steam inlet valve leaking

bob young

ED,Wal-rich carries 1/8 " graphite packing . 800-221-1157

John Boyer

radiator steam inlet valve leaking

My radiator's steam inlet valve was leaking. So I bought some 1/8 graphite packing and wrapped it around the stem that turns when you turn the handle. I wrapped it about 3 times around and about 1/2" up the stem but did not wrap any around the threads. I then held the packing tight against the stem while I tightened the packing nut. However, I noticed that the valves are still leaking and the packing nut keeps loosening up. Does anybody have any suggestions? Should I have wrapped it around the threads as well?
Thanks in advance.

Big Ed

Nuts

Keeps loosening up ? Sounds like a split nut or stripped threads... Hard to find a replacement nut with old valves..Any extras laying around ? Could try a old dusty supply house that's been around for years. Other then trying to glue yours together.......I would change the whole valve .

P.S. Where you find the 1/8 grafite? Have notfound that stuff in years???

Jerry_15

I could have changed out the valve before you got to the supply house, much less back. Why bother?

JB_8

valve

pipe dope, teflon tape, Megaloc take your pick

Big Ed

Packing

Is it the soft gray waxy stuff ? I hope so I ran out years ago..... Thanks

David Efflandt_2

What is your steam pressure?

Some valves stems leaked when I bought my home in 2002, maybe because previous HO had pressure cranked way up (8-9 psi) due to faulty vent damper that failed to reopen when hot (pressure cycle) and had to be replaced.

With pressure as low as it goes, I repacked the stems that were leaking, and no more leaks. I found graphite packing rope at Ace Hardware.