- Thread starter anto
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Cant remember the make rory but il take a look tomorrow.
I completely took the bleed stud out altogether and there was no air or oil coming out.
ALso took the bleed stud out where the main feed pipe comes in and it seemed to be getting oil there and bled some air out.
But still no oil/ bubbles/air at the normal blled point.
I completely took the bleed stud out altogether and there was no air or oil coming out.
ALso took the bleed stud out where the main feed pipe comes in and it seemed to be getting oil there and bled some air out.
But still no oil/ bubbles/air at the normal blled point.
danelectro
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You may find that if it ran out there is now a load of muck blocking the pipe/filter on the tank, take the filter off and clean it, and make sure there is oil coming out of the tank. I had a similar problem a few years back, as soon as the filter was clear the oil flowed.
Also if any muck got into the pipe, you might want to stick an airline or something from the boiler end and blow back any muck, obviously make sure the pipe is off of the tank otherwise you'll stir it all up!!
Also if any muck got into the pipe, you might want to stick an airline or something from the boiler end and blow back any muck, obviously make sure the pipe is off of the tank otherwise you'll stir it all up!!
danelectro
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My guess is the tank end has got a load of muck in it, possibly the filter is blocked. I'm assuming this is a raised steel tank, so you've got a good head of oil??? Normal trick is (when the filter is clean) just release a union near the boiler and let the oil flow, then reconnect and try a normal bleeding at the burner end. Again it depends how old the system is. Also is the fire valve working correctly? just another thing to check if you still have trouble!!
Dan can you elaborate on the "fire valve"?
I seem to be getting oil to the pump, albeit not very much, but that it isnt getting past the pump and into the high pressure side of the system.
The tank is a plastic tank and is only about 1ft raised above the level of the burner.
I seem to be getting oil to the pump, albeit not very much, but that it isnt getting past the pump and into the high pressure side of the system.
The tank is a plastic tank and is only about 1ft raised above the level of the burner.
danelectro
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Yeah every oil heating system should have a fire valve, there are two types, one COULD be outside, possibly on the outside wall, with a remote heat sensor to indoors, or the other type is an inline valve (looks a bit like a mini stopcock) which would be near the boiler. Normally these will never be activated unless there has been a fire or excess heat. I'm thinking you haven't got one, so that's obviously not causing a restriction.
the plastic tank height should be ok, I mean it obvious worked before. I assume the tank is now full is it?? If there's only a small amount in it, you won't get a good head of oil so it would appear there isn't a good flow, the oil pump on the burner (once no air is present) should have the draw to feed itself.
I also assume you're running the burner whilst bleeding the valve? It may take several resets to get it going.
This is a good article on how to, although it's for the US, the principle is the same. http://www.wikihow.com/Restart-a-Furnace-After-Running-out-of-Oil
If you've got oil UP TO the burner, but not bleeding through, then you're half way there, just do what it says in this article and after a few attempts you should be ok!!
the plastic tank height should be ok, I mean it obvious worked before. I assume the tank is now full is it?? If there's only a small amount in it, you won't get a good head of oil so it would appear there isn't a good flow, the oil pump on the burner (once no air is present) should have the draw to feed itself.
I also assume you're running the burner whilst bleeding the valve? It may take several resets to get it going.
This is a good article on how to, although it's for the US, the principle is the same. http://www.wikihow.com/Restart-a-Furnace-After-Running-out-of-Oil
If you've got oil UP TO the burner, but not bleeding through, then you're half way there, just do what it says in this article and after a few attempts you should be ok!!
It has one of these. A little brass thingymajig?
How could this affect flow, what does it look like whne closed/ open?
SirDick Diodenob esquire
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We have a Riello burner . At first we had a tanker deliver 500Litres of oil and mysteriously it was all gone after less than a week ( have been looking at security devices ) . With prices now at around 80pence a litre which is used at a rate of £4 an hour we make sure there is never more than about 30 L in the tank which most times we allow to run dry before refilling . This means having to bleed it nearly every week . It normally takes quite a few attempts to get it going and also having to reset the spark igniter several times but unless we find a way to keep the thieving stewards away we are stuck with this process . With ours you cant predict when its going to fire up , sometimes the first attempt does it and on the odd occassion its taken 20 minutes and a pint or more of oil coming out the bleed hole . I am planning to install a backboiler behind the coal fire , I dont want to fork out another small fortune for oil next winter.
danelectro
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It would only affect it if it has activated, then there would be no flow, as long as you're getting oil beyond that, then it's ok.
Have you had any luck yet getting it going?? I know some of them can be a ****** to start after going dry.
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Hey SirDick, I would have thought that would cause you problems running yours like that, can see the oil pump failing if it goes dry????
I know what you mean about oil theft though, We've got a good old steel oil tank, and some hefty padlocks on ours, gives you a little bit more protection than plastic!!
There is a little device that monitors oil level, and sounds an alarm if the level drops at a significant rate.....all very well until you're at work!!!!!
danelectro
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Does it flow out of the tank ok? i.e. is it a better flow than from the boiler end of the pipe?
how old is the boiler/burner? and what make is it? If it's getting on a bit it might need a new oil pump.
It might be worth trying to squirt some oil into the pump, then attach the pipe and try, I'm sure once there is oil there the pump will work (unless it's had it of course)
how old is the boiler/burner? and what make is it? If it's getting on a bit it might need a new oil pump.
It might be worth trying to squirt some oil into the pump, then attach the pipe and try, I'm sure once there is oil there the pump will work (unless it's had it of course)
Dan, thanks for your help.
In the end it turned out it was just extremely airlocked. Bled it last night and it fired up.
There was a serious amount of air in it compared to sat when i first tried. I suppose all the attmepted starts eventually built up enough pressure to force the air out.
Lesson learnt.
Thanks again.
In the end it turned out it was just extremely airlocked. Bled it last night and it fired up.
There was a serious amount of air in it compared to sat when i first tried. I suppose all the attmepted starts eventually built up enough pressure to force the air out.
Lesson learnt.
Thanks again.
danelectro
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No problem mate, glad you got it sorted, they can be a ****** at times, great when they work, not so great when they don't!!!!!! I guess at least you know the pipe is clear!!!!!
SirDick Diodenob esquire
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Dan , The boiler is about 10 years old and its been run dry quite a few times for the past six years ( probably around 8 times each winter ) , it cuts off very quickly when its out of oil but yes I am concerned that it may cause premature failure . We also have no filter so this is not going to help either , I keep looking on ebay for a spare burner but they are always too far away and postage to Donegal is extortionate from mainland UK.
danelectro
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I understand your problem if you have bad problems with theft. I would have thought the burner itself would be ok, it's normally the oil pump that (if runs dry too many times) will fail.
Yeah there's loads of suppliers of new burners complete, but delivery will cost a small fortune where you are. It'd probably be cheaper for you to hop pn a plane and pick one up yourself!!!!!!
Dick, Try the Belfast gumtree there were a few on yesterday when i looked.
Might be worht a drive to Belfast?
