Source for BSP fibre washers

[mangocrazy]

In the mid 90s I installed a central heating system in my house; I did all the pipework and fitting of radiators and just left the commissioning of the boiler to the experts. At the time I was very taken with the Faral range of radiators and fitted them throughout the house - about 20 rads in all. They're Italian, of a very attractive design (to my eyes, anyway) and are made of aluminium so are lighter and more thermally efficient than steel rads.

They've worked perfectly for the last 15 years or so, but some are now starting to leak at the point where the top and bottom fitting bosses screw into the radiator bodies. What's happened is that the gaskets/seals that Faral supplied were rubber rather than the more usual fibre, and the rubber has perished, cracked and started leaking water.

So I've got between 80 and 90 of the damn things to replace, and I've been looking for fibre washer alternatives. Initially I thought the washer sizes would be metric, but it seems that all plumbing fittings (even Continental stuff) is in BSP sizes. I've measured up the original washers and the outside diameter is approx 42mm and inside diameter is 32mm (as close as I can measure). Does anybody have any idea what BSP size this equates to, and where I might be able to get 80 or 90 of the bu99ers at a sensible price?

 

[rtbcomp]

Look Here under technical for thread sizes.

Try "Fish4parts" for the washers

 

[GrahamGKD]

How about these washers:

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p40610

The sizing isn't that clear - I'm guessing that when they say 1" they mean 1" BSP - I guess you should check before ordering?
Graham.

 

[Shox Dr]

If the first lot lasted 15yrs, I'd just replace them with Nitrile O-rings. 2quid for a 100. Fibre washers can leak just as badly and faster, and in another 15yrs time they will be rotten anyway

 

[Mikey D]

If you go to bes.co.uk
they list a 1 1/4" bsp washer they say its 30mm id tho .(not 32mm)
if you want to look under plumbing fittings >washers,kits &silicone grease.

cheers mike

 

[knoba]

If the first lot lasted 15yrs, I'd just replace them with Nitrile O-rings. 2quid for a 100. Fibre washers can leak just as badly and faster, and in another 15yrs time they will be rotten anyway

I'll second that! Why change the material type, if it's done its bird?

Also; I'll admit that I don't know the build quality of them, but I'd be worried; if the rads are ally (& expensive...), whether I'd stress out the fittings too much, with fibre washer replacements and the higher torque they would require to seal properly.

 

[johnakay]

Fibre washers I'd keep away from those. I hate the bloody things.
had them in my bathroom basin taps after 3 years they both leaked with out warning.
woke one morning the kitchen sealing was hanging low.
got the plumber out and he said he wouldn't use them either
caused over £1000 worth of damage! bath room floor tiles were ruined etc.
luckily the insurance covered the cost.

 

[mangocrazy]

Fair enough, sounds like find out the price of replacement originals or use nitrile O-rings. What would be the life expectancy of nitrile O-rings?

 

[mangocrazy]

Just dredging up a really old thread to say that I think I've found the answer to my original question. First off I tried to get some more of the original rubber washers, but eventually discovered that Faral had changed the design of their rads in the intervening 15-20 years and the fittings (and washers) were now much smaller. Bu99er.

I then pursued the suggestion of nitrile O-rings (in a leisurely manner) and found various sites where the properties of different rubbers were compared. Everything pointed towards EPDM rubber - excellent for hot water and steam, great resistance to ageing and UV light and good mechanical properties. So I started googling for EPDM washers and EPDM gaskets and one of the suppliers that came up were Camthorne in Stoke on Trent (http://www.camthorne.co.uk/).

I spoke to one of the guys there and they offered to make up some custom washers/gaskets in the size I wanted - 1 1/4" i.d. x 1 5/8" o.d. Cost was a tad over £50 inc. postage for 25 washers - not cheap, but at least it means I can extend the lifespan of my rads for several more years. Haven't fitted them yet - that will wait until the warmer months as a full drain down and flush is indicated.

Just thought you might like to know...

 

[Shox Dr]

That washer isn't a stock size, so what you did was really the only option. I used to get loads of different types of wipers, lip seals, and Quad rings etc, made to service MTB Shocks, 50quid is about right for a small batch run.


Edit; spelling