Hi, my radiator in my home is leaking an oily substance, can anyone identify what this is?
2006-10-21 07:45:45 · 8 answers · asked by sizyc 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Is the radiator part of a wet central heating system? if so there will be no oil!! Could be wax from the cartridge in the TRV. OR is it an electric radiator? in which case it is probably oil filled and could be leaking. try tightening the nut around the element.
Are you sure that it's oil not just dirty water????
2006-10-21 07:50:28 · answer #1 · answered by jayktee96 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
CALL A PLUMBER, the oily substance is probably ANTI -CORROSION fluid that is added to the water, which is DANGEROUS at best, Most heating systems are sealed units , if it leaks water, air can get in, then it doesn't work properly. If it is leaking from a value it shouldn't cost much to get it fixed, if the main body is leaking, you need a new radiator, What ever you don't play with the fluid
Better safe than sorry.
2006-10-21 18:20:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I simply had to reply to this. If oil is leaking ,it is an electric radiator, PERIOD.
If it is black water then anti-rust chemical was not added to the original installation, thus putting £15 into someones pocket.
Edd104 said that it is normal for black water to be in radiators.
It DEFINATELY is not normal to have black water.
This black is black rust called MAGNETITE, and it has been caused by not having inhibitor added to the system.
Get FERNOX added cost £15 to prevent further rusting.
BLACK WATER SHOULD NEVER BE IN A RADIATOR>
2006-10-21 11:11:04 · answer #3 · answered by xenon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you have a tank fed central heating system and black gunk is dripping out you need the system flushing and an inhibitor such as fernox adding plus a new radiator as it has probably rusted through. sounds like an old system to me. the substance is caused by oxidization in the cast iron heat exchanger and settles in the lower radiators preventing heating flow and exess fuel bills.
consider a new boiler as the one you have sounds old and knackered.
2006-10-21 13:05:03 · answer #4 · answered by KU 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are going to snort yet.....as quickly as we've a chunk of equipment are available in with engine failure which incorporate blown head gasket and oil has gotten in the radiator? we wash the radiator and the full cooling device with Cascade dish washing cleansing soap. Why Cascade? it won't foam in the cooling device and it will wash out each and all of the oily residue. you will could desire to have the motor vehicle working, as much as temperature and you're able to be able to easily pour the Cascade in and enable it blend and wash on the comparable time. After approximately 20-half-hour of working? flush and top off your radiator with the right coolant / anti freeze andchronic risk-free. Cordially GeorgiaHyway
2016-12-08 18:34:27 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you will find it is just water as the water from a central heating system is normally black.
once you have solved the leak you may need to have you heating system flushed through
2006-10-21 10:04:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its just old water thats built up and turns black, bleed the rads.
2006-10-21 07:49:31 · answer #7 · answered by carla s 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whatever it is get it fixed before you flood out your house.[if water]
2006-10-21 07:54:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋