Steam Radiator Valves

Paul Fredricks_3

Thanks Al. I'll give it a whirl.

Paul Fredricks_3

2 pipe

I have a customer with a large 2 pipe steam system. 3 of regulating valves at the radiator are blowing a lot of steam. I assume the packings are shot since trying to tighten them did nothing. Can these typically be repacked? If so, what do you recommend using?

Al Letellier_9

steam valves leaking

Yes, typically you can repack them. Best to use a graphite packing material. Teflon string packing can also due the job but doesn't seem to stand up as long. You can get graphite at any good supply house or a packing and gasket dealer.

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Steamhead (in transit)

Paul, you may find

that these are "packless" valves. If so they will have to be rebuilt. Tunstall supplies rebuild kits for most valves.

www.tunstall-inc.com

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Paul Fredricks_3

I checked out the valves today. I take off the cap nut and can then pull out the stem. It sits on a spring and the stem has a flat surface that mates to the bottom side of the cap nut. Seems almost like it should be a lapped seal. I can push the stem down a bit and put in a line of teflon rope. This seemed to make the valve feel a bit better, but then the house lost a leg and I can't get the boiler to run. No way to test it. Great timing.

I didn't see rebuild kits for this type of valve on the link you gave me.