two pipe oil problem

Gene_3

however, it is 2005, time for tank to go??????????? it is not hard to check lines with a shovel. My rec'd would be to run new lines and install a Tiger Loop with a filter before it. The line is probably perforated, the Tiger Loop will keep it running but for how long?????? what if the lines are leaking into the soil.

The purpose of the Tiger Loop is to pump from the tank and through the filter what you burn not gear capacity and it warms the oil, to use it to get around bad lines is avoiding the problem, it won't go away.

bovide_6

On a building I have with a 2 pipe oil delivery from an outside underground tank, I am getting burner shutoffs unless the tank is always topped off. I keep the burner tuned perfectly with my Bacharach. The filter, pump strainer, and nozzle is kept clean. The tank is below burner level.
Would converting to a 1 pipe with a tiger loop help?

bovide_6

Really? If the lines are perforated, I'm breaking out the shovel tomorrow. Wondering why the flow is fine when the tank is over 1/2 full. Come to think of it, the piping is black steel from the foundation out.

Dirk Wright

Check for fuel

Did you check to see if you were getting fuel when the tank was below 1/2 full? If you put a hand pump on it and try and draw fuel with the tank low and you get only air, then the pickup in the tank probably broke off about half way down. If your lines are fine, then you may consider an Oventrop or equivalent floating pickup. The Tigerloop won't help with tank problems. Also, did you put a vacuum gauge on your supply line?

Gene_3

see what you find

I've never been surprised when digging up tanks or lines, foot valves, bent looped lines, fittings, who knows what you'll find, we had a home in Old Saybrook,CT, as far as I know the original tank is still there, a wing from a WW2 plane, when full it read 13".

oil-2-4-6-gas

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very common problem your suction line is BAD there is a small leak allowing air in when you reach a certain level --(it will fail completely soon--GUARANTEED) -a word of caution --if you choose to dig it up to check --you will make it worse --you have to plan on fixing it --and some food for thought if your suction line is rotted how do you think the return pipe is?/ you might be leaking on the return side also --

Weezbo

dont say that you heard it here ,however....

i have seen above ground tanks buried underground with a tap off the bottom of the tank for the return...i have also seen on more than one occassion an aboveground tank burried with Duh Guess what? the tin cap left in the bottom threaded tap....oh o! how the heck does one recognise these things ......? usually by asking 1 what are your fuel useages per month

2 when did you last have it filled ....going outside and dropping a string on a nail to the bottom of the tank...now if you put some water detector goop on the bottom 4" of the string and leave it in there a while... and fish it back up...try it some time and we will compare notes

and how many times did an installer put the lines into the tank and figure it only needed to be a foot or 3' inside the tank? for the return>? and then how many times has the tank been found pulling goop and water the tech switch supply for return and explain to homeowner to have it Pumped ,cleaned or replaced.....or how many tanks were installed where the pipe went down into the tank bend follow the tank back up to about 1/2 way and the guy hook it up and call it good from his house? from experiences like these in my life i can only hazard a guess that it has happened on more than one occassion....Om.....

meditate on these vagarities of tank installation....

bovide_4

say it isn't so...

probably dig it up early next week. The supply and return lines get changed, as well as the pickup line. Also will put a floating fuel guage. Just hope Weezbo's scenario's don't happen...

Gene_3

well

we'll try to keep Mr.Murphy occupied, that guy gets around though.

Just remember the HVACR Tech Credo

We, who done so much, with so little, for so long,
Now feel that we can do absolutely anything, with nothing!

please tell us what you find, good luck

Dirk Wright

fuel gauge?

I wasn't aware that there are floating fuel gauges available for UST's? did you mean a floating pickup? There are very few gauges available for UST's as far as I know...

oil-2-4-6-gas

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fuel gages for UGT's-- Petrometer,Veeder Root,Preffered Instruments --these are 3 companies (there are many more) that make level gages with remote recorders,readers --depending on what size tank you have ----but any and ALL of them have to be calibrated by "sticking the tank "--so in my opinion the most reliable method for checking your tanks oil level -is the stick --and check for water with some water detecting paste -

Dick Charland

Watch what's happening

Put an oil watcher on and you'll see what's happening. Where'd all those air bubbles come from?