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Broken air vent extraction
vinylswing
Member Posts: 7
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
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
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Comments
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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.)1 -
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Will try Steve's method tonight. Do you mean a tool like this?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.)
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Plumbers-Edge-3-in-1-Radiator-Repair-Tool-PE8610/300905737
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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.0 -
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.
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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".0
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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
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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.0 -
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/3sZW1el0 -
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It looks smaller because part of the nipple is still inside. The radiator hole is 1/8". The interior of the nipple is smaller.0
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I tried the home depot 3-1 tool and it was no good. Was able to get it out with a drill. Thanks all.0
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@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 pumps1
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