Any plumbers out there?

[Peanut]

Ha.

To explain so we get this right. Before PC the way to describe a thread in plumbing was a male thread and a female thread. The male thread goes into the female thread so now of course its sexist.

Any way lets see if I have this right the expansion vessel has a male thread sticking out the top. Onto this you screw your large nut running it down until it gets to the end of the thread near the expansion vessel. Onto this goes the support bracket and finale on top of this goes the gauge assembly.

Is that correct?

Colin

Yes i think so, I think it is a locking nut too....took me ages to work out that it was the gauge that needed to be turned not the nut!

* and they need to be tightened so that they line up both facing the front.....hence why he had to unscrew it when i noticed the two were not aligned.*

[Potstubsdustbins]

Not quite sure what you mean but.

Your right the large nut on the bottom is a locking nut. It can also be used to position the gauge and to help seal the joint.

I am trying to think of a sensible way to describe this so it may be a bit of a ramble.

What has happened is when your friend took the half turn back off, to position the gauge he has broken the joint. I.E. The PTFE tape that was compressed by the threads is now not compressed and is passing water.

What should have been done goes as follows. The gauge should have been removed from the male thread. The locking nut should then have been wound up the thread half a turn to take up the slack and the joint remade. Finale with the gauge screwed down into position the locking nut should have been nipped up.

I hope that makes sense let me know.


Colin

[Peanut]

Not quite sure what you mean but.

Your right the large nut on the bottom is a locking nut. It can also be used to position the gauge and to help seal the joint.

I am trying to think of a sensible way to describe this so it may be a bit of a ramble.

What has happened is when your friend took the half turn back off, to position the gauge he has broken the joint. I.E. The PTFE tape that was compressed by the threads is now not compressed and is passing water.

What should have been done goes as follows. The gauge should have been removed from the male thread. The locking nut should then have been wound up the thread half a turn to take up the slack and the joint remade. Finale with the gauge screwed down into position the locking nut should have been nipped up.

I hope that makes sense let me know.


Colin

I get it but I don't understand it.

So when I take the gauge off....
I apply 4 wraps of tape to the vessel.
I need to undo the nut by half a turn? (not certain of what half a turn is)
Then I sit the bracket on the nut.
Then I screw the gauge down onto the nut as tight as possible.*
Then finally I tighten the locking nut.

*at which point should the gauge and vessel become aligned? When I have tightened the nut or the gauge?


Not sure i'm understanding this. Sorry

[Potstubsdustbins]

OK I forgot to ask do the back nut, support bracket and the bottom of the gauge all make contact with each other? In other words is the support bracket firmly held between the gauge assembly and the back nut?

Colin

[Peanut]

Yes they do.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Good thats what I wanted to hear/read.

If you go back to when you last fitted the gauge assembly you had to back it off half a turn to align the gauge. In other words it screwed on to the thread to far.

What we are going to do now when you remove the gauge to remake the joint is wrap 5/6 turns of PTFE tape onto the thread wind the gauge onto the thread carefully tightening it until it is back in the same position as it is now. We then go to the back nut and tighten that to clamp everything together.

Told you this was going to ramble let me know if you not sure what I mean.

Colin

[Peanut]

Ok....think i'm getting...slowly but surely.

Off to bed now...will have another read when not so tired and hope it all comes together!


Thanks as always Colin...chat again soon.

Nighty night!

*Forgot to ask...do I remove all the tape that is on the joints before applying new?*

[Potstubsdustbins]

First sorry about my departure last night i had just clicked the post button and all the bladdy lights went out SPOOKY OR WHAT. It must have took nearly a minute for me to realise there was a power outage on the estate.

And yes when you decide to remove the vessel and remake the joint remove all the old PTFE.

If I am on line at the time could you post a pic of the arrangement.

A thought comes to mind, I am sure you said that you could remove the vessel without disconnecting everything. If so is it possible to get a spanner on the back nut and give it a nip, it might just seal the leak.

Colin

[Peanut]

Hi Colin,

No worries...my laptop has a habit of shutting itself down or freezing whenever it chooses so I understand people can vanish without a word.....I do frequently!

Yes, you're right, I can lift out the vessel with the 2 flexihoses still attached...guess I could try to have a fiddle.

The funny thing is, even though it's still leaking it's holding pressure really well, last night it was still on 1.6 bars when I turned off the hot water and went to bed, then this morning it was on 1 bar, didn't have to top up for the first time in months! it's been on 1.6 bar ever since!

I'm loathe to touch anything but I know the leak must be sorted.....

[Potstubsdustbins]

I would leave it a couple of days, yes the leak needs to be sorted but if its holding pressure to that extent things arn't deperate.

Colin

[Peanut]

Why do you say to leave it a few days? The leak isn't going to go away by itself is it?

[Potstubsdustbins]

Two reasons, one it will give the system time to settle, and two it would appear there is something happening, not untoward you understand but there can only be two explanations why the pressure is remaining more constant.

(a) there was a lot of air floating around the system and this has now settled in the top of the radiators, (b) And I don't want to get your hopes up but maybe just maybe the leak is starting to make up. A very small leak can sometimes do this either by scaling or the sealant is swelling.

Therefore I would give it a couple of days before you make your decision.

Colin

[Peanut]

Too late.......my hopes are rising

It would be nice if it settled......I could really do with a break!

Watch this space......I'll keep you informed.

[Potstubsdustbins]

It is sometimes good to have a small break and come back with a fresh mind. I work with another chap and we will often hand a job to the other person. What has been baffling one, the other will see things differently and come up with a solution that can make the first guy blush.

It can be even wose for me the other chap is my son!!!!!!!!!

If I miss your post PM me to get my attention.

Colin

[Peanut]

Thanks Colin, will do.

Night night.