Air vent substitute??
I have 12 cast-iron American radiators that work perfectly. Recently, however several of the air vents on the middle floor radiators have frozen shut. My plumber tried to drill one out, but it didn’t work and I stopped him because I don’t want the radiator ruined.
Is there another way to vent this radiator? Like in the upper plug? Any idea ideas or suggestions?
The middle floor tends to get air in it unless you flush it. We used to flush it and vent it and now we can’t.
Comments
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Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.0
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you should be able to drill and re-tap thise vent ports. You may need to go a size larger
You can get 1/4 & 3/8 sizes
Bob "hot rod" Rohr
trainer for Caleffi NA
Living the hydronic dream
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Drill and re-tap is the standard procedure for this.
Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
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Wait…is that 1/8" port in the upper left of your photo that looks like it was hit with a torch the place where the vent was?Ignore my irrelevant question, thank you!NJ Steam Homeowner.
Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el0 -
If this is steam, there should be a boss half way up the middle column that can be drilled or a plug there that can be removed. The top one is for venting air from a hot water radiator.
That, too can be drilled out by any competent mechanic. You use a center punch first to guide your drill.
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The drilling is way off center, but shouldn't there be an existing opening to work with? That looks solid.
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i can't tell, the pic isn't high enough resolution. it could be the screw part of the vent broken off in the body of the vent.
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the vents are usually brass, so hit that with a file or small grinder to flatten it then center punch
Bob "hot rod" Rohr
trainer for Caleffi NA
Living the hydronic dream0 -
From the 1st picture it looks like brazing rod and burn marks from heating with a torch!
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Anyway@RobinInCalithe reason I was asking is that's the wrong location for a vent if that's where it was. There should be a port that is about 2/3 down on that side (possibly both sides)Ignore my irrelevant comment, thank you!NJ Steam Homeowner.
Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el0 -
This is hot water. It is the right location for the bleeder/vent.
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Well don't I feel dumb! Thanks @mattmia2
NJ Steam Homeowner.
Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el0 -
I would use a grinder / dremel and grind that surface as flat as I could get it, then center punch / drill it.
You need to be a little delicate because you don't want to crack the cast iron.
Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.
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