Radiator not working

[johnk]

A radiator in a bedroom which hasn't been on for a long time is not heating up. The pin in the TRV sees to be stuck down, does this mean the valve is closed?

[The Builder]

Yes John. It happens almost every day on Answerbank ;o)
Tap the pin with a mallet.

[heathfield]

Gently!!

[johnk]

Thanks, I'll try that. Will it just pop up or do I have to pull it up?

[The Builder]

It should come up on its own John :o)

[johnk]

Managed to free the pin off but there is no spring behind it and the radiator still doesn't heat up so the valve t ill be jammed closed. If I give it a knock is there a chance it will open or has the valve had it?

[jesmond]

my radiator has been making a slight hissing or air escaping noise, although it does heat up it doesnt get as hot as the others, we have bled it a couple of time but its still doing it, if i turn the trv down it does sometimes stop but obviously i want it to be hot rather than just warm, did i do the right thing in having the radiator turned full on when i bled it, thanx

[jesmond]

sorry i was looking at your question to see if it would help me but have put my question here by mistake but someone might answer it here for me before i put it in the right place

[johnk]

Jes, I always have them full on when bleeding, it seems to work.

[Cruciformist]

The radiator outlet is normally open all the time (unless you close it to e.g. remove the rad.), and water will enter via the outlet to replace escaping air at the bleed valve. So the thermo-valve doesn't need to be "open".

[johnk]

Cricif, I know some of mine are on the wrong way round so that won't always be the case.

[The Builder]

Has your pin come up yet John? ;o)

[johnk]

Builder, yes it comes up if I pull it but there's no feel of a spring behind it so I assume the valve is seized up as the rad is still not working. erhapsif I give it a knock on the side it might free off?

[johnk]

Result!! I put the heating on with all radiators except the stuck one off and give the valve a smacking with a mallet on the side. The pin suddenly had some spring behind it and water began to flow!
I've got the valve set on 1 now which is a very low temperature and I'm hoping this will keep it unstuck.
Thanks everyone for your help