Oil Tank Conundrum

[Onoff]

My heating oil tank is a big old beehive thing.

I only noticed today there's a breather at the back, on the top. Never noticed it before. The screws were rotted so I've removed them and fitted some stainless security screws. I'll tighten them when I find the right bit!

My question is should this have a weather cowl or suchlike? It looks as though something should clip into it. Looking through that grille and next stop the oil!

 

[gaz1]

its your beather and does need a weather cowl over it or your tank will fill up with water

 

[Onoff]

its your beather and does need a weather cowl over it or your tank will fill up with water

Ta. I'll get my lad to CAD something up and print one.

 

[Gareth J]

Lead sheet smooshed into shape

 

[julianf]

I'd get somthing on there with haste. Even if it's just an upturned washing up bowl and a brick. Or the bottom of a 2ltr bottle glue gunned on.

Only so much space for water before the take off... And then you're into potentially sized oil pumps and the like.

 

[julianf]

Ps have a look about in the undergrowth. Its not like it will have blow far.

 

[Onoff]

Ps have a look about in the undergrowth. Its not like it will have blow far.

The tank's been there since 1998! I will though have a look.

 

[reb78]

Whats the size? I cut up an old tank the other day but still have the covers for the top. Tank had a split and its now raised beds in my greenhouse. I could post it if it fits and easier than printing.

 

[julianf]

The tank's been there since 1998! I will though have a look.

Its not had the top off it that long though - otherwise the boiler would have failed long long ago.

 

[nickk]

Lead sheet smooshed into shape

No,you need an air gap.

 

[dobbslc]

Its not had the top off it that long though - otherwise the boiler would have failed long long ago.

I think it had a pump failure a while back???

 

[Onoff]

I think it had a pump failure a while back???

It's had a few. At the mo the tank is near empty but I've got oil coming tomorrow.

May I should syphon off the very bottom some time and see if I have water in there?

 

[reb78]

It's had a few. At the mo the tank is near empty but I've got oil coming tomorrow.

May I should syphon off the very bottom some time and see if I have water in there?

I would. Empty it perhaps into tubs, then it's easy to gather the oil back from that and you know the tank is clear then.

 

[julianf]

It's had a few. At the mo the tank is near empty but I've got oil coming tomorrow.

May I should syphon off the very bottom some time and see if I have water in there?

There probably would be a little in any tank.

But, yes, I think that would certainly be a good idea.


You could even just take the fitting off and tilt it right up, if syphoning seems a dull way to spend your day.

 

[Onoff]

Whats the size? I cut up an old tank the other day but still have the covers for the top. Tank had a split and its now raised beds in my greenhouse. I could post it if it fits and easier than printing.

Cheers. Tbh it'll be a nice little project for my lad so you keep it. Out of interest this is mine:

Temporary solution:

 

[Onoff]

You could even just take the fitting off and tilt it right up, if syphoning seems a dull way to spend your day.

If it ain't broke etc!

I've a little self priming drill pump I'll use.

 

[gaz1]

heres a flue type top hat

 

[voipio]

Cheers. Tbh it'll be a nice little project for my lad so you keep it. Out of interest this is mine:

View attachment 498152

View attachment 498153

View attachment 498154

Temporary solution:

View attachment 498155

A bit of plastic coated gardening wire looped over the tin and the screws, to hold the tuna tin in place, and it should be grand. There's not a huge amount of airflow. The boiler will only be consuming the oil at about one or two litres/hour

 

[Gareth J]

No,you need an air gap.

I know. I'm not suggesting gluing a bit of lead on in an airtight fashion.

I have done this on mine.

 

[Onoff]

Thinking how to get any water off the bottom of the tank and I happened upon these, 20V submersible pumps that run off a Makita battery:

Pardon our interruption...

I wonder if it's any good?