Another oil furnace question

AlanCT · 01-19-2013, 08:36 AM

Hi,

So apparently when we had our furnace serviced a month ago, the repair man left the fuel petcock for one of our two oil tanks in the off position. As a result, the furnace ran dry after using the oil up in one tank. Normally, it draws from both tanks at once.

Today, I got an oil delivery, bled the air out of the line and now the furnace is up and running.

However, the oil delivery we got filled one tank, but didn't cross over to the other. Normally the two tanks balance when filled, because they have a common fill pipe, and the furnace draws oil from both. What's the deal? How come the oil isn't balancing between the two tanks? How do I get it back to normal?

I dont know if it was necessary, but I shut the petcock off for the empty one so it doesn't suck more air.

AlanCT · 01-19-2013, 09:33 AM

Okay, it seems like they are starting to equalize, just very, very slowly.

concours · 01-19-2013, 10:07 AM

Observed that same thing at my buddies house, I was checking on it for him while he was away all winter on vaca. Didn't equalize, then finally did. This is a GREAT reason to follow accepted service procedure and BLOW OUT THE LINES periodically. I'm guilty of not doing it enough... S L U D G E

rapidoxidationman · 01-20-2013, 09:09 AM

I wonder if a half barrel of bio diesel would clean things up... Just make sure you have a couple of new fuel filters on hand.

DC2wheels · 01-20-2013, 01:26 PM

I run the furnace at my office on kerosene.

Pricey? Sure. But my tank is outside- so no winter problems. And the furnace, tank and lines stay CLEAN.

More $$ but cheaper long term? Maybe. Plus less worries.

HapHazard · 01-20-2013, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC2wheels

I run the furnace at my office on kerosene.

Pricey? Sure. But my tank is outside- so no winter problems. And the furnace, tank and lines stay CLEAN.

More $$ but cheaper long term? Maybe. Plus less worries.

How much is K1 in NH? I have a Monitor 30 in my garage, and it's getting hard to find K1 in CT. I paid $5 a gallon at a fuel dealer, which beats the $10 a gallon at Home Despot.

DC2wheels · 01-21-2013, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HapHazard

How much is K1 in NH? I have a Monitor 30 in my garage, and it's getting hard to find K1 in CT. I paid $5 a gallon at a fuel dealer, which beats the $10 a gallon at Home Despot.

We are just over $4/gallon.

Lorretto · 01-22-2013, 07:21 AM

A lifetime ago I delivered #2 heating oil. If the tanks aren't equalizing you usually have a vent problem. With a common fill, there should be two vents. If the second tank isn't venting or venting really slow, the delivery driver is hearing the first vent close and shuts down the pump thinking they [both tanks] are full. As mentioned, sludge can be a problem but since the tanks feed the system to empty it could cause the slow equalization but not the false full.

First your oil delivery company will probably check the vents for free as they want to sell you oil and it is easier for them to drop 500 gallons twice a season than 250 four times.

Generally next to the fill pipe are the vent lines. Pull the covers and see if critters have taken up residence in the vent, if so, clear and you're done.

spafxer · 01-22-2013, 07:56 AM

Being that I'm from California and have only heated with natural gas...............

AND, being this is ADV and all............................................... ....................

I'm going to take a wild guess............................................. ......................

YOUR FURNACE IS TELLING YOU IT'S TIME TO CHANGE TO SYNTHETIC FURNACE OIL!!!!!

concours · 01-20-2013, 03:26 PM

It's real easy... turn off emergency switch, disconnect both ends of the fuel line, stick one end in a gallon jug, blast it from the other end with compressed air, reconnect line, connect catch hose and open bleeder, turn on switch run till clear fuel, close bleeder. Repeat every two years.

1greenmachine · 01-23-2013, 10:36 PM

I was talking with a HVAC guy and the waste oil subject came up and its mainly the old people that insist on fixing that old ineffient oil burner and forget trying to sell them a newer propane unit. I've got a 1699 sgft ranch that cost me 160 to heat last month and would hate to pay for waste oil

01-19-2013, 08:36 AM	#1
AlanCT ^OP The Byronic Man Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Northeastern CT Oddometer: 2,876	Another oil furnace question Hi, So apparently when we had our furnace serviced a month ago, the repair man left the fuel petcock for one of our two oil tanks in the off position. As a result, the furnace ran dry after using the oil up in one tank. Normally, it draws from both tanks at once. Today, I got an oil delivery, bled the air out of the line and now the furnace is up and running. However, the oil delivery we got filled one tank, but didn't cross over to the other. Normally the two tanks balance when filled, because they have a common fill pipe, and the furnace draws oil from both. What's the deal? How come the oil isn't balancing between the two tanks? How do I get it back to normal? I dont know if it was necessary, but I shut the petcock off for the empty one so it doesn't suck more air. __________________ "You wouldn't be riding a motorcycle if you weren't an optimist." - Matthew Crawford 2005 Ural Tourist, 2003 Kawasaki Concours IBA #23064

01-19-2013, 10:07 AM	#3
concours WFO for 41 years Joined: Dec 2008 Location: Kensington, NH USA Oddometer: 3,995	Observed that same thing at my buddies house, I was checking on it for him while he was away all winter on vaca. Didn't equalize, then finally did. This is a GREAT reason to follow accepted service procedure and BLOW OUT THE LINES periodically. I'm guilty of not doing it enough... S L U D G E __________________ Too much is just barely enough..... 2007 Tiger 1050 2005 Royal Star Tour DeLuxe 1973 Yamaha TX750 1974 Norton 850 Commando Roadster

01-20-2013, 01:26 PM	#5
DC2wheels Castle Anthrax Joined: Jul 2008 Location: N.H. Oddometer: 1,193	I run the furnace at my office on kerosene. Pricey? Sure. But my tank is outside- so no winter problems. And the furnace, tank and lines stay CLEAN. More $$ but cheaper long term? Maybe. Plus less worries. __________________ a few bikes in the barn http://k11og.org/forum/index.php world-wide K bike forum

01-22-2013, 07:56 AM	#9
spafxer Beastly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2007 Oddometer: 2,319	Being that I'm from California and have only heated with natural gas............... AND, being this is ADV and all............................................... .................... I'm going to take a wild guess............................................. ...................... YOUR FURNACE IS TELLING YOU IT'S TIME TO CHANGE TO SYNTHETIC FURNACE OIL!!!!! __________________ People seldom do what they believe in. They do what is convenient, then repent. -- Bob Dylan

01-20-2013, 03:26 PM	#10
concours WFO for 41 years Joined: Dec 2008 Location: Kensington, NH USA Oddometer: 3,995	It's real easy... turn off emergency switch, disconnect both ends of the fuel line, stick one end in a gallon jug, blast it from the other end with compressed air, reconnect line, connect catch hose and open bleeder, turn on switch run till clear fuel, close bleeder. Repeat every two years. __________________ Too much is just barely enough..... 2007 Tiger 1050 2005 Royal Star Tour DeLuxe 1973 Yamaha TX750 1974 Norton 850 Commando Roadster

01-19-2013, 09:33 AM	#2
AlanCT ^OP The Byronic Man Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Northeastern CT Oddometer: 2,876	Okay, it seems like they are starting to equalize, just very, very slowly. __________________ "You wouldn't be riding a motorcycle if you weren't an optimist." - Matthew Crawford 2005 Ural Tourist, 2003 Kawasaki Concours IBA #23064

01-22-2013, 07:21 AM	#8
Lorretto City Dweller Crushperado Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Washington, DC Oddometer: 283	A lifetime ago I delivered #2 heating oil. If the tanks aren't equalizing you usually have a vent problem. With a common fill, there should be two vents. If the second tank isn't venting or venting really slow, the delivery driver is hearing the first vent close and shuts down the pump thinking they [both tanks] are full. As mentioned, sludge can be a problem but since the tanks feed the system to empty it could cause the slow equalization but not the false full. First your oil delivery company will probably check the vents for free as they want to sell you oil and it is easier for them to drop 500 gallons twice a season than 250 four times. Generally next to the fill pipe are the vent lines. Pull the covers and see if critters have taken up residence in the vent, if so, clear and you're done.

01-23-2013, 10:36 PM	#11
1greenmachine Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2010 Location: green bay, wi Oddometer: 284	I was talking with a HVAC guy and the waste oil subject came up and its mainly the old people that insist on fixing that old ineffient oil burner and forget trying to sell them a newer propane unit. I've got a 1699 sgft ranch that cost me 160 to heat last month and would hate to pay for waste oil

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