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a squirt of wd40 in the vent hole..

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yobyllib
yobyllib Member Posts: 4
in Strictly Steam

So, under [air vents] page 54 of ..

How To Get The Best From One-Pipe Steam
A Practical Manual for Heating System and Boiler Optimization, Maintenance, Loss Prevention, Replacement, and Installation

[Systems Help Center] article ,

the author states to give a radiator vent a squirt of wd40 to free and clean them etc.

What is the consensus on this? what other materials [like pb blaster] could/cant be used?

or, dont do it at all and just replace the vent outright??

mattmia2

Comments

  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 3,880

    It does say that, and WD-40 is a very light oil that may dissipate before it gets back to the boiler.

    Well what is the worst that can happen, you will make the system more upset and have to skim the boiler to get the oil out. If your system met all the criteria in that paragraph you have other issues to deal with.

    I think I'd try canned compressed air or contact cleaner (not an oil based product) or if the vents come off easily soaking them in Vinegar and flushing the crud out.

    image.png
    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
  • leaking
    leaking Member Posts: 153

    soaking in vinegar dissolves calcium. I’ve done that just now, but I don’t know if it fixes anything , wd after would be interesting, but I don’t think it will last a day , it would get washed away - right? .

  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 2,994

    It would get washed away, yes. Wd40 really won't act as a lubricant but more as a propellent, dislodging a slug of rust in the vent. it should work.

    Vinegar is a good idea but sometimes the vinegar can eat away at the thin metal of the vent. Still its worth a try.

    If that doesn't work the next thing to do is change it.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 16,462

    sounds like some book that was written by someone trying to get out of there quickly then not be around when the consequences of their actions bear fruit.

    wd40 is formulated to be oily and run everywhere. it is terrible as a lubricant but it would be great at contaminating the water in the boiler with oil.

    MaxMercy
  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 2,994

    Hopefully there will not be so much sprayed in that it would be a problem.

  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 8,642

    With Maid O Mist currently selling at supplyhouse.com for $14 I'm not spraying any WD-40 into anything

    Even if they last 1/3 as long as a Gorton (and I have never seen any data that either brand outlasts the other), it's still a wash.

    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/3sZW1el

    BobCdelcrossv

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