Reillo Oil Burner Pump

[shanless]

Personally, I would take out the photosensor, put my thumb over it, start up the unit, and, once the electrodes start firing, I'd then shine a torch on the photosensor.

This will let the pump keep spinning even though it's not lit.

I'd then (quickly - as in immediately, not after 5 mins) crack off the air bleed grub screw on the pump.

I'd hope that bubbles would come out and then froth, and then a fair bit of liquid fuel. It might not, but I'd still do this as air locks can be a pain in these pumps.

I know it runs from a local jug of fuel, and it will seem like a nonsense, but, from experience, I would still do this. Again without a tigerloop they can be a pain to bleed.

If you get frothing from the bleed, wait a while until it's proper liquid and not just froth and tighten it all up again whist it's still spinning.


If you really don't get any froth even after keeping it spinning for some time with your torch on it, it's time to start thinking about other issues. But it's always good to go for the low hanging fruit / simple tests.

I know it seems like nonsense as you've bled the feed line and it works from a local tank, but, again, they're a pain often and, for the cost of 10 mins, you can then be much more certain as to whats going on.

I jumped 5 to 6 contacts and pump ran for about 5mins and nothing..had to leave it then....I'll try your suggestion in the morning...thanks

 

[voipio]

Is it possible that the fuel line flexi hoses have started to fail, or have kinked internally. It might not be visible because of the outer steel braiding. They're meant to be replaced fairly often. Not every year, but every two or three.

 

[Gareth J]

A spare, old Boulter oil loop here if that's the way you decide to go.

 

[cheb]

I don't know if it's relevent but my Riello pump gave trouble because a drive key or similar was worn, it was replaced for one from Ebay that fitted better.

Sorry for the vagueness but it was a few years ago, the pump would spin and pump, just not quite enough IIRC.

 

[Misterg]

.I have an oil extractor pump that I use to change oil in my car and I can connect it to the inlet feed at the oil burner and it draws the oil up no problem

Sounds like the oil level is below the pump then - Could there be a small leak on the inlet pipe (maybe on the connection to the pump) that allows the pump to draw air in when it's connected?

Presumably the oil level would have been a bit higher when it was all working - maybe stopped working as the level dropped ??

 

[julianf]

I don't know if it's relevent but my Riello pump gave trouble because a drive key or similar was worn, it was replaced for one from Ebay that fitted better.

Sorry for the vagueness but it was a few years ago, the pump would spin and pump, just not quite enough IIRC.

They have a coupler between the motor and the pump shafts, but they tend to be pretty binary as to if they're broken or not. The chaps unit works from a jug, which would hint at the coupler being ok, but, of course, odd stuff happens!

If you buy a new pump, I'm pretty sure you get a new coupler with it as standard.

 

[Onoff]

Last big issue I had with mine was the motor bearings.

I've had the worn key issue, blocked filter, capacitor gone down, fire valve playing silly beggars. Like Trigger's Broom mine is.

I always bleed here:

https://flic.kr/p/VyRsfs

 

[cheb]

I keep a known good spare one for when mine plays up. It doesn't do it very often but it's not good when it does.

 

[cheb]

This possibly what I bought: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/17387818...nifujmhVKAkydzMuuVt/WTHkM=|tkp:Bk9SR-LxmbyKYQ

 

[Ton-up]

Is it a steel tank? If so, there was a commercial heater at work that I could not get to bleed through. I used an ailine with a regulator and pressurised the tank. This tank had a 2" vent and you only need about 10psi so it was fine to put an airgun in, wedged in with rag.
It still took about 5 minutes to push the kero down the 10mm pipe about 30 metres. The tank used to bong as it flexed, but please dont put lots of pressure in!

Another thing that could maybe happen, is if you have crap in the tank and you blow it away with the airline and then it blocks it again when oil starts to flow.

 

[Onoff]

I've both blown an airline back up to the tank and sucked the oil through the pipe by loosening the fitting to the right of the fire valve:

https://flic.kr/p/Sh4ApE

I use this to suck:

Usually have to do this when we run out. Even had to do it when I've had 2000L put in and the tank is uphill from the boiler!

 

[500e]

Paper filter on tank change it also check for damage to pipe, a crushed fuel pipe will let compressed air and suction work but that marginal pump

 

[jenki]

The 2 things that have given trouble on my boiler some 14 years old now are the motor capacitor there are 2 values make sure you have the correct one, and the drive key that Cheb mentioned.