Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.
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Rick
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22438
Location: UK
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 Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:14 am Post subject: Question about oil central heating |
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We noted with not a little angst that the central heating would not kick into life this morning. A fiddle with the reset button (illuminated red by the way) fired up the pump and boiler for a few seconds, then cut out. I'm guessing we're low on oil in the tank. The clear tube on the side of the oil tank still registers a fair slug of oil in there, but I'm guessing that the pick-up in the tank will be some way above the bottom of the tank to lessen the risk of pulling up sludge into the house and into the pump?? we've ordered some oil, which will arrive Monday. I've read up about having to bleed the line if it still won't fire up when oil has been delivered, I'm just curious about where the pick-up in the tank will be situated, heightwise from the bottom of the tank??
ta, R
(brrrrr)
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Uncle Joe
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| Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:30 am Post subject: |
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Interesting question you ask. I cant say if oil tanks here are the same as there, but mine used to pull everything out bar a couple of litres. The floor of the tank used to slope down to the pickup, creating a low point. The pickup itself was only a couple of cm from the bottom. I know this for a fact, as I saw it when I pulled the tank after changing my heating system a couple of years ago. I'm now enviromentally concious, and saving money in the bargain.... 
One thing that did used to happen though, which may just be your problem, is that if I let the oil level get too low, it would pull sludge through to the filter, partially blocking it, and then for some reason block the jet in the burner. Maybe then a new filter (if you have one) and a jet change would help? |
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Rick
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| Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:33 am Post subject: |
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| Uncle Joe wrote: | | ...One thing that did used to happen though, which may just be your problem, is that if I let the oil level get too low, it would pull sludge through to the filter, partially blocking it, and then for some reason block the jet in the burner. Maybe then a new filter (if you have one) and a jet change would help? |
yes thats a definite possibility too. I can see an inline filter although it looks like an awkward bugger to get at, with the kitchen units hampering access. If the delivery of oil, and a bleed of the inlet pipe, doesn't do the trick then I'll either pull the filter, or else get an engineer out to check it all over. I think there may be issues with a blocked nozzle anyway as sometimes you get a whiff of unburnt oil
R
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Uncle Joe
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| Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:40 am Post subject: |
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Does the oil company not provide a free service engineer if you make them sole oil suppliers for a given period?
But really, the thing is to move away from oil altogether... Just think of the things you can put where the oil tank was!  |
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Rick
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| Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:45 am Post subject: |
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| Uncle Joe wrote: | Does the oil company not provide a free service engineer if you make them sole oil suppliers for a given period?
But really, the thing is to move away from oil altogether... Just think of the things you can put where the oil tank was! |
No free engineers that I know, just the usual ones in the Yellow Pages, no doubt with their call-out fees. We may swap one day but for now we'll stick with it. It isn't in a position that really offers any useful storage space anyway, so that wouldn't really be a benefit alas.
I had another look, the level in the tank is low-ish, but there is still 9-10" showing on the clear tube, so it could be something blocked, or else a high pick-up in the tank. Guess I'll know for sure when we've had a top up...
[Edit: I could always disconnect the outlet pipe from the tank I suppose and see if any runs out  ]
R
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ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4104
Location: South Cheshire
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| Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:55 am Post subject: |
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Rick
do you have 1 or 2 pipes between the tank and the boiler? also what is the hight of the tank relative to the boiler?
Our oil tank is actually lower than the boiler so we have to have the 2 pipe system. For the single pipe system the minimum oil level in the tank needs to be a foot above the level of the burner.
Also having one way valves in the feed helps with bleeding.
Dave |
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Rick
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| Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:59 am Post subject: |
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| ukdave2002 wrote: | Rick
do you have 1 or 2 pipes between the tank and the boiler? also what is the hight of the tank relative to the boiler?
Our oil tank is actually lower than the boiler so we have to have the 2 pipe system. For the single pipe system the minimum oil level in the tank needs to be a foot above the level of the burner.
Also having one way valves in the feed helps with bleeding.
Dave |
I can only see one pipe sticking out of the tank, the outlet. The tank is a little way from the house, on a low breeze block stand. My guess is that it is higher than the boiler, maybe by a foot or so (without measuring!) so probably within range. The pump is a Riello 40 G3R, and the boiler a Mistral.
ta, R
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Uncle Joe
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| Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:07 pm Post subject: |
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If your tank is outside, I suppose you have had it cleaned, havent you?
From water / sludge?
UK: Whats this two pipe system? thats new to me.... |
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ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007
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Location: South Cheshire
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| Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Uncle Joe wrote: | If your tank is outside, I suppose you have had it cleaned, havent you?
From water / sludge?
UK: Whats this two pipe system? thats new to me.... |
I think (not 100% sure) that the pump pumps oil back to the tank via the return pipe, so you end up with a syphon effect ,which means the boiler can reliably pump oil when it is higher than the tank?
I have never heard of anyone having their oil tank cleaned, you never really get the opportunity, ours picks the oil up about 100mm from the bottom of the tank and has a cleanable inline filter.
jet change should be part of the annual service
Dave |
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Uncle Joe
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| Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 4:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Cleaning tanks (mostly the ones outside) could just be a problem caused by the climate here. There can be a lot of water in them, i assume as much from condensation as anything else. |
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