I’m feeling a little dumb and defeated here, but this radiator isn’t working, and it’s not a case of bleeding because when I had the boiler serviced the chap had a look, got it work and said the spring was stuck, however I didn’t see what he did to get it working again!
I don’t want to use wrenches to remove the whole thing, I’d like to just remove the plastic valve head, to check the spindle thingamajig. I watched some videos, and there’s usually some easy means to remove the valve by itself, but I don’t appear to have those options (photos included). Can it just be popped open with a bit of leverage from a screwdriver?
Don’t mean to be rude ….but are you sure that’s the correct valve? Is there a valve at the other end with a big chunky “head/dial” you use to adjust it?
The “spring” normally gets stuck in thermostatic valves - the ones with the big chunky head - and you unscrew the head tap the little pin - and it works again. What you describe the plumber having done.
The valve in your picture is mechanical - you turn it on and off it can’t really get stuck in quite the same way. The cap normally has a small screw holding them down - inside is a square pin - that will twist (it won’t move up)down/spring- - but unless the plastic cover spins freely twisting the plastic will do exactly the same without taking it apart.
Thank you so much for all the replies and suggestions, really appreciate it.
Chrisell - yes this is the main valve (there are no others), it’s on a number of my radiators which all work.
I used a screwdriver and just lightly prised up the bit of plastic (top and bottom) that was being held by the metal bits that slightly protrude, and then I screwed the whole thing off. I’m not sure if the pin is usually on a spring of sorts, but it was stuck in. I teased it back out to the full setting, but I’m still having no joy, the radiator remains cold. All other radiators in the house are working okay.
That looks quite a lot like some of the older TRVs that we’ve had 30 years. The piston can jam inside the unit, and even if the rod will move in and out freely, the rad remains off. Replacement TRV is the only fix at that point.
I agree with those who thought it didn’t look like a TRV - that white plastic head looks like the fitting designed for manual adjustment of the system.
Corona, I didn’t know they used wax; I’m learning all the time!
Ancient_Mariner - it probably is about that old. Would it be a case of using a wrench and removing the whole part and buying a replacement, assuming they still sell in this size / format?
It should be that easy. You will want to close the valve at the other end of the rad as well as the TRV, then drain the rad down. You may be able to freeze the pipe feeding the TRV to stop water passing through, then swap out the TRV, reconnect and refill the rad. Sounds so easy!
It should be that easy, but I know these things never work out easily for me personally!
I don’t know if these TRV’s are all a standard size, or if I need to disconnect, go to the shop and make sure I’m buying the good replacement. I’ll cut the water before I attempt anything of course, and see if I can close off any valves elsewhere on the radiator, although I’m hoping with the water cut, it won’t leak too much.
I managed to get it working. I initially pulled the pin outward, not realising there’s some sort of plunger type thing behind it, and so in doing so, it was totally ineffective. Instead I pushed it in, placed a piece of metal over it, and pushed down several times, and then the radiator started kicking in… Hoping it doesn’t jam every time I want to use it now.
Without it, I don’t know how to turn it off, so I did reattach it, and tested turning it off and on again,and so far so good, seems to be working! Saves me a call out charge and a replacement. Thanks again for the advice.
