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radiator steam inlet valve leaking

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bob young
bob young Member Posts: 2,177
in THE MAIN WALL
ED,Wal-rich carries 1/8 " graphite packing . 800-221-1157

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  • John Boyer
    John Boyer Member Posts: 84
    radiator steam inlet valve leaking

    My radiator's steam inlet valve was leaking. So I bought some 1/8 graphite packing and wrapped it around the stem that turns when you turn the handle. I wrapped it about 3 times around and about 1/2" up the stem but did not wrap any around the threads. I then held the packing tight against the stem while I tightened the packing nut. However, I noticed that the valves are still leaking and the packing nut keeps loosening up. Does anybody have any suggestions? Should I have wrapped it around the threads as well?
    Thanks in advance.
  • Big Ed
    Big Ed Member Posts: 1,117
    Nuts

    Keeps loosening up ? Sounds like a split nut or stripped threads... Hard to find a replacement nut with old valves..Any extras laying around ? Could try a old dusty supply house that's been around for years. Other then trying to glue yours together.......I would change the whole valve .

    P.S. Where you find the 1/8 grafite? Have notfound that stuff in years???
  • Jerry_15
    Jerry_15 Member Posts: 379


    I could have changed out the valve before you got to the supply house, much less back. Why bother?
  • JB_8
    JB_8 Member Posts: 85
    valve

    pipe dope, teflon tape, Megaloc take your pick
  • Big Ed
    Big Ed Member Posts: 1,117
    Packing

    Is it the soft gray waxy stuff ? I hope so I ran out years ago..... Thanks
  • David Efflandt_2
    David Efflandt_2 Member Posts: 24
    What is your steam pressure?

    Some valves stems leaked when I bought my home in 2002, maybe because previous HO had pressure cranked way up (8-9 psi) due to faulty vent damper that failed to reopen when hot (pressure cycle) and had to be replaced.

    With pressure as low as it goes, I repacked the stems that were leaking, and no more leaks. I found graphite packing rope at Ace Hardware.
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