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My safety valve's stuck!
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 4:27 pm
by Andrew
Afternoon all,
I was planning to run my RH Russell this afternoon but have found that I've left the safety valve screwed in since I last used it several months ago, and now the bloomin' thing's stuck, so I can't fill the boiler! Any thoughts on freeing it without damaging anything would be much appreciated! In the meantime I'll find something else to steam...
Thanks,
Andrew.
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 4:52 pm
by DLRdan
Providing there is some water left in the boiler, try warming the boiler up and loosening it when hot.
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 5:45 pm
by Andrew
Thanks Dan - unfortunately I don't think there's anything in there. I've just tried warming it with the flame from my gas torch/soldering iron but without success. Possibly not hot enough? Any more bright ideas folks? Thanks!
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 6:28 pm
by DVT Dweller
Andrew, it's the boiler you need to expand, not the safety valve. Is there a water top up valve?
2 things, open the regulator this should rease any vacuume in the boiler.
Also the boiler is silencer soldered, you'd have to get it red hot to damage it. Maybe try heating it with the burner for a short time (it will get hot very quickly) and the boiler should expand enough to loosen the grip on the thread.
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 6:36 pm
by kandnwlr
DVT Dweller:99750 wrote:Andrew, it's the boiler you need to expand, not the safety valve. Is there a water top up valve?
2 things, open the regulator this should rease any vacuume in the boiler.
Also the boiler is silencer soldered, you'd have to get it red hot to damage it. Maybe try heating it with the burner for a short time (it will get hot very quickly) and the boiler should expand enough to loosen the grip on the thread.
Always a good idea to leave the regulator a little open at the end of a run. I know, I´ve had the same problem, before.
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 7:26 pm
by Andrew
OK - NOW I feel stupid.
Thank you very much for the advice, which I really appreciate. I've just taken Russell into the garden and lit up to warm the boiler as suggested - and on removing the dome to obtain more leverage on the safety valve remembered that Russell has a separate water filler plug. Doh!!!
I shall fill and fuel up ready for a run tomorrow...
Good advice re the regulator anyway. Part of my problem is that running has always been somewhat irregular and I've never developed a good running routine - even finding tools, fuel etc before a run always takes a while. Hopefully all that will change as my line nears completion...
Thanks again,
Andrew.