Bleeding Radiator Problem

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Bleeding Radiator Problem
Author: orsara (PA) I have a hot water heating system with baseboard radiators. The radiator in one room on the 2nd or top floor will not bleed. I have left a bucket under it for several hours and neither air nor water comes out. Several years ago an automatic feed was installed so water is not to be added manually. All the radiators in the other rooms bled. Any advice is appreciated.
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Re: Bleeding Radiator Problem
Author: hj (AZ) Unless you have some VERY unusual problem, the automatic filler is not set to a high enough pressure to fill the system up to that baseboard unit.
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Re: Bleeding Radiator Problem
Author: packy (MA) or, if you have an iron body fill valve it could be rusted shut.
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Re: Bleeding Radiator Problem
Author: m & m (MD) Or the bleeder vent is painted shut...
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Thanks everyone
Author: orsara (PA) Thanks everyone. I believe the Cash Acme Ab-40 feed valve has to be replaced. It's 9 years old. Edited 1 times.
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Re: Bleeding Radiator Problem
Author: george 7941 (Canada) No need to guess. Just check the pressure gauge on the boiler.
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Re: Bleeding Radiator Problem
Author: orsara (PA) When I turn the pressure screw downward on the cash Acme AB-40 the pressure gauge remains at 9lbs so does that mean the pressure gauge isn't working? Also the radiators upstairs will not bleed.
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Re: Bleeding Radiator Problem
Author: george 7941 (Canada) It is possible the pressure gauge isn't working but the fact that the upstairs rad does not bleed points more towards a defective feed valve and that the 9 lb reading is correct. What is the vertical distance between the non-bleeding rad and the pressure gauge? 9 lbs of pressure is enough to bleed rads up to 18 ft above the boiler (2 ft ~ 1 psi)
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Re: Bleeding Radiator Problem

Author: packy (MA)

if the water heater is close by, take a long washing machine hose (2 female ends) and connect the drain from the water heater to the drain for the boiler. open the drain for the water heater first and then slowly open the drain for the boiler. the pressure should rise.
BTW, if the fill valve has a union end you can look there for a filter screen. yeah, it might be that simple of a fix...

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Re: Bleeding Radiator Problem
Author: orsara (PA) The vertical distance is about 16'. I saw a video about another automatic filler, Calefi and that one lasts from 5 to 20 years. So maybe it is a defective feed. Also, I have house heater insurance with the gas company and I'll inquire if the pressure guage is covered. Thank you.
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Re: Bleeding Radiator Problem
Author: m & m (MD) With 9lb. pressure, the radiator will bleed like the others. It is possible but unlikely that you have a defective feeder AND gauge. Has this radiator always worked in the past?
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Re: Bleeding Radiator Problem
Author: george 7941 (Canada) I install the Watts 1156F feed valve and they seem to last.
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Re: Bleeding Radiator Problem
Author: packy (MA) good choice but get the brass body valve not the iron variety. i believe the brass is a B1156 not just 1156..
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