RADIATOR PROBLEM

[The Chairman]

Help!

My house has cast iron radiators and oil heat. When I turned on the heat about a month ago after getting an oil delivery, the upstairs room radiators didn't get hot. I called the oil company and they said I had to "bleed" them. They told me what to do, (I'm not good with mechanical stuff) but essentially they said I had to turn the heat up and open the valve and take off another little valve. I did that and it made a hissing noise but the radiators still are not getting hot. So I call again and they say I need to wait until like a cup of water comes through... but I tried again and no water comes through. And because I was lazy and couldn't pick a date to wait around all day for the oil service to come (I have a full serice contract), I still have no heat in the upstairs radiators, although the other ones work fine.

Is there something I'm missing? Anyone out there mechanically inclined or just plain has common sense and knows what to do? Otherwise I will just make a service appointment, but sometimes all it takes is someone to tell you another one little thing and it's like "duh" and it's fixed.

Thanks in advance.


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thanks ADF for the SigPic!!
slanted and enchanted...

[Zipgun]

"Oil heat's a dinosaur, oil heat's a dinosaur".

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[Recyclerz]

Chairman <P> I have the same set-up in my house. Although it is supposed to be a closed system, sometimes air bubbles develop and keep the hot water from going through the radiators in the top floors which sounds like the problem you've got. (Just make sure the on/off valve is open.) What the oil company told you was right: get the furnace cranking to pressurize the system You should have a key, a small socket thing that fits into the air pressure relief valve. Put it over the small screw inside the valve and give it a small clockwise turn, just until you hear some hissing. It will smell pretty funky. Don't completely remove the screw, or water will come shooting out when you least expect it. Keep one hand on this. As the hot water pushes up from the furnace, the air bubble should be exitting through the pressure relief valve; it may take awhile because of the small exit opening. You can tell it is working if you feel the heat slowly rising in the radiator Have something to catch the water and tighten the screw in the valve as soon as you get liquid pouring out. <P> Sometimes the valves are painted over which interferes with your ability to open the screw. You may have to chip some away. (They make tasty treats!) <P> If this doesn't work, they'll need to replace the on/off valve which is a much bigger job and involves turning off the whole system for several hours. <P> Good luck. <P> <P>

You're only young once, but you can be immature forever. :-)

[TooCute]

get the furnace
cranking to pressurize the
system
2. You should have a key, a
small socket thing that fits
into the air pressure relief
valve. Put it over the small
screw inside the valve and
give it a small clockwise
turn, just until you hear
some hissing. It will smell
pretty funky. Don't
completely remove the
screw, or water will come
shooting out when you least
expect it. Keep one hand on
this.
3. As the hot water pushes
up from the furnace, the air
bubble should be exitting
through the pressure relief
valve: it may take awhile
because of the small exit
opening. You can tell it is
working if you feel the heat
slowly rising in the radiator
4. Have something to catch
the water and tighten the
screw in the valve as soon
as you get liquid pouring
out.


I tried exactly this. The
valves open. The heat never
comes. It is so cold. So very
very cold...


<img src=http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/toocute2.gif>
ADF makes great sigpics!

[TooCute]

get the furnace
cranking to pressurize the
system
2. You should have a key, a
small socket thing that fits
into the air pressure relief
valve. Put it over the small
screw inside the valve and
give it a small clockwise
turn, just until you hear
some hissing. It will smell
pretty funky. Don't
completely remove the
screw, or water will come
shooting out when you least
expect it. Keep one hand on
this.
3. As the hot water pushes
up from the furnace, the air
bubble should be exitting
through the pressure relief
valve: it may take awhile
because of the small exit
opening. You can tell it is
working if you feel the heat
slowly rising in the radiator
4. Have something to catch
the water and tighten the
screw in the valve as soon
as you get liquid pouring
out.


I tried exactly this. The
valves open. The heat never
comes. It is so cold. So very
very cold...


<img src=http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/toocute2.gif>
ADF makes great sigpics!

[TooCute]

get the furnace
cranking to pressurize the
system
2. You should have a key, a
small socket thing that fits
into the air pressure relief
valve. Put it over the small
screw inside the valve and
give it a small clockwise
turn, just until you hear
some hissing. It will smell
pretty funky. Don't
completely remove the
screw, or water will come
shooting out when you least
expect it. Keep one hand on
this.
3. As the hot water pushes
up from the furnace, the air
bubble should be exitting
through the pressure relief
valve: it may take awhile
because of the small exit
opening. You can tell it is
working if you feel the heat
slowly rising in the radiator
4. Have something to catch
the water and tighten the
screw in the valve as soon
as you get liquid pouring
out.


I tried exactly this. The
valves open. The heat never
comes. It is so cold. So very
very cold...


<img src=http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/toocute2.gif>
ADF makes great sigpics!

[Steels]

"Oil heat's a dinosaur, oil heat's a dinosaur".

Gas is running clean Hooray....Gas is how we heat today!


Great job skidmark....that jingle is the first thing that came to mind.



<img src=http://members.aol.com/vikorynotvengnce/images/steels3.gif>

[JustJon]

stay downstairs

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[IrishAlkey]

TooCute tried it three times and it didn't work.

They definitely need professional help.

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