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Broken air vent extraction

Hi,

First-time homeowner with a steam system. One of the radiator vents snap when I removed it. Is 1/8 nipple extractor the preferred way for removing broken air vent?
Pics https://imgur.com/a/g55oexs

Comments

  • STEVEusaPA
    STEVEusaPA Member Posts: 6,506
    Spray the threads with penetrating oil, and then you can probably collapse/remove it carefully with a small cold chisel. Once you start collapsing it you can probably grab it with pliers and spin it out.
    Clean up the threads with a tap before installing new one.
    steve
    ethicalpaulvinylswing
  • Chris_L
    Chris_L Member Posts: 336
    Your picture doesn't work for me. But in any case, I would not use a screw extractor. Turn it too much, and you'll crack the radiator. I know from experience.

    Try the method @STEVEusaPA suggests, or just use the tap to clean the remains of the vent from the radiator. Most likely it is brass and once you start tapping it, it will come out, or you will cut it out to the original threads.

    (Some big box stores sell a tool for extracting and tapping the vent hole, but I have never tried one so cant vouch for them.)
    ethicalpaul
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,452
    Get the right size drill bit and drill it out then use a 1/8" tap. If the threads are no good you can drill and tap it for 1/4" pipe and use a bushing on the new vent
    ethicalpaulSTEAM DOCTOR
  • vinylswing
    vinylswing Member Posts: 7
    Chris_L said:

    Your picture doesn't work for me. But in any case, I would not use a screw extractor. Turn it too much, and you'll crack the radiator. I know from experience.

    Try the method @STEVEusaPA suggests, or just use the tap to clean the remains of the vent from the radiator. Most likely it is brass and once you start tapping it, it will come out, or you will cut it out to the original threads.

    (Some big box stores sell a tool for extracting and tapping the vent hole, but I have never tried one so cant vouch for them.)

    Will try Steve's method tonight. Do you mean a tool like this?
    https://www.homedepot.com/p/Plumbers-Edge-3-in-1-Radiator-Repair-Tool-PE8610/300905737

  • Chris_L
    Chris_L Member Posts: 336
    Yes, that is what I was thinking of. But after looking at it, the tap doesn't seem too impressive.

    I'd either get this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Drill-America-1-8-in-Carbon-Steel-NPT-Pipe-Tap-and-R-High-Speed-Steel-Drill-Bit-Set-2-Piece-POU1-8NPTW-DRILL/304750418#overlay or just a good 1/8" NPT tap, assuming that is the correct size for your vent.
  • vinylswing
    vinylswing Member Posts: 7
    No luck in collapsing method. I'll try the npt method tomorrow once it arrives. It also appears this is the only radiator I have that has a hole smaller than 1/8. 
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,042
    If there was a rad vent in there it is not smaller than 1/8" pipe thread......don't know if there is a pipe size smaller than 1/8".
  • vinylswing
    vinylswing Member Posts: 7
    I attached a photo of the hole in question compared to the hole from another radiator at home. It could be the hole looks smaller because of the broken piece of vent stuck in there? How bad is it to run the boiler with one of the radiators has no vent? I may have to do it until the radiator is fixed. Thanks.

    Small hole


    Reg hole

  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,042
    You could have a good stream of steam comin out of that hole.

    Maybe the rad valve would shut off completely and stop the steam flow.
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 5,694
    It just looks small. It’s 1/8 just like the other one (I assert)

    you can carve a plug out of wood or something if the valve fails open
    NJ Steam Homeowner. See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el
  • Grallert
    Grallert Member Posts: 643
    You can get a set of reverse twist drill bits find the one that is smaller than the cast opening and a bit larger that the remaining vent nipple. put your drill in reverse and it should spin right out.
    Miss Hall's School service mechanic, greenhouse manager,teacher and dog walker
    ethicalpaul
  • STEAM DOCTOR
    STEAM DOCTOR Member Posts: 1,951
    It looks smaller because part of the nipple is still inside. The radiator hole is 1/8". The interior of the nipple is smaller. 
  • vinylswing
    vinylswing Member Posts: 7
    I tried the home depot 3-1 tool and it was no good. Was able to get it out with a drill. Thanks all.
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,452
    @JUGHNE

    There is a 1/16" pipe thread. The only thing it's used for that I know of is the bypass plugs in oil burner fuel pumps
    JUGHNE