Return Valve is steaming mad

Ralph Trentacosta

Yes where the pipes come back to the boiler, there is a vent, just like the vent on the end of the radiator's. that is the vent where the steam is comeing out of. Are you saying that is the problematic one and needs to be replaced? Does those things tend to go back quickly, it was replaced about 3-4 years ago.

Could there be a pressure issue? How would I know that?

Thanks again for all your help,
Ralph

Ralph Trentacosta

Steam coming out of Retrurn

Hello
I started my steam system (One pipe) for the first time today and I noticed where the air valve atop the return to the boiler is pushing out steam. Im not sure what the guess other then the steam is not escaping some where is should be (radiator) I have 6 total but i have 2 closed (1 in the kitchen and one in the bathroom). This is how I have had it for the past 4 years. I did last season replace the air vents on 3 of the 4. I wonder if that has anything to do with it. Last year and I tested out the new vents, I did not notice any issues.

What can this issue be?

Thanks,
Ralph

Al Letellier_9

steam

That's one of your main vents that is leaking by. It time to replace it. Lots of energy loss there

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Ralph Trentacosta

Thanks for the reply, but I am not sure what exactly you mean. Can you explain? Two of the 4 used inlet valves have been replaced with in the last 4 years. Is this what you mean? One of the inlet valves to the radiator? How can I tell which one to replace. All the radiator's (where I have the valve open) get heat.

Thanks again.

Unknown

Steam Vent

Ralph, Al`s right. You said it was on the piping return at the boiler, so you must have a vent problem. The rad vents are likely fine, I think your talking about the end of the main.

Ralph Trentacosta

OK, I just tried to remove the vent (at least what I think is the vent) and the thing will not budge. Im guessing when the guy replaced it, he put some sort of sealent. I tried to spray seom WS40, but that did not do anything. When the pipe is shook, i do hear the vent rattleing, is that a sign of anything?

Again, thanks for all the help.
Ralph

Garret

It's probably been there for ages... no sealant, just a bit of rust.

Go buy some PB blaster or liquid wrench... wd40 is mostly useless for breaking frozen joints...

spray it every few hours for a few days, and tap it with a hammer. Then try again.

Ralph Trentacosta

Garret,
Thanks for the advice, I will look for the liquid wrench. the piece was just replaced a few years ago, I can not imagine there being too much rust.

But another question, could too much water in the system be a cause?

Thanks.

Garret

If you can find it, pb blaster really is the stuff to get.

I'd just be guessing for system problems... i'm just a homeowner, and I have a two pipe system which is quite a bit different.

Here's one question I do know to ask... How high do you have your pressuretrol set? If you're running the system with too high a pressure, that could push steam out the vents.

Unknown

Vents

Ralph;
The steam pressure is a whole other issue, I wouldn`t start "fooling around" with that. If in doubt you should call a pro to have it checked-out!
And yes, steam vents like other things, do eventually fail.

Ralph Trentacosta

Garret
I was thinking pressure also, but like Dave said, "do not tought that" I have never touched the syste. The only I do is check the water level. I have never had any work done to it other then a cleaning about 5 years ago when we moved in. I'm not sure what I need to do, if anything to maintain it. One thing I do know, is the cast iron pipes are not insulated. Should I insulated them? If so, with what?

On the initial problem. I have done the follow, let some water out and changed the air vents to the origional ones. So far, so good. But I will keep an eye on it.

Thanks all for the help.