Removing rust bolts from steam boiler

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ejnoah

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I have a cast iron steam boiler to heat my home. the stam has been leaking from a metal plate on the side of the boiler held on by 6 metal bolts. Two of the bolts appear to be rusted. What is the best way to remove these bolts without damaging the cast iron boiler? Should I run the boiler before attempting to remove the bolts? Will the heated boiler expand allowing easier removal of the bolts? Thank you for your immediate response.
 

hj

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bolts

Use a lot of penetrating oil, PB Blaster, and whatever else you can find. IF you are lucky the bolts will not break off, but I would not count on it. You might be better off using a "nut cracker" to break the nuts and then rethread the bolts before installing new nuts.
 

ejnoah

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Thanks for your replies. there are no nuts. The bolts are screwed into the cast iron boiler. Would heat help? Does cast iron expand?
 

Verdeboy

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Bolt Extractor

Irwin makes a set of bolt extractors that you can buy at most hardware stores. I would soak the bolts in PB blaster overnite, then use the extractors.
 

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Master Plumber Mark

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good luck on that project

just the thought of trying to get bolts
screwed into an old boiler out almost brings
shivers to my spine.....

if it is anything like the last time I tried to
get MUFFLER bolts out of the body of a car,

I ended up going to MIDAS and letting them

BURN them out with the welding torch..


good luck, you are gonna need it.



my guess is if they dont come out wou will have to
cut off the heads of the bolts,
then drill them out and re-tap the holes

Now THAT is a fun time...
 
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