fuel tanks

Ken D.

I have used that method for over 25 years. Only had one problem and that was when the tank was overly full and I sucked a load of fuel oil into the vacuum. I always check the level now.

burnerman_2

fuel tanks

hey whats up last week was every burnermans nightmare the valve broke off the bottom of a 275 while it was full what to do grab the vac hook to the fill put a rag in the vent and get an easy out put in a new valve good to go this can also be done on old valves that need replaced see ya

Brad White_44

Who do you think you are?

Red Adair??




Actually I find that solution very clever. But wonder what the open motor in the vacuum would do with vapors under vacuum hence a lower flash point......

Ron Schroeder

Brad

I was taught that trick in school 20 years ago and has yet to fail me, I thought about the fumes from time to time however the vaccum is usually outside and hose legnth from any combustables and save a lot of oil/fumes in the home. I have lost more vaccums to hot ashes from the combustion chamber. Priceless is the look on the apprentices face when he brakes the tank Firomatic Valve and you say go grab the Vac Quick.

Nick L. in Vt

damn bushings

seems every tank i come across is 1/2 in. outlet to a 3/8 in. valve, so of course they slam a 1/2 to 3/8 bushing that is just too damn thin not to bust. for the love of petra(cute russian girl i went to school with) if you can't use a actual tank bottom valve, at least use a reducing 90 deg. ell or reducing coupling
or am i just bitchin

Brad White_44

Oh, I am sure it works, Bruce

and thanks for pulling me from the fire (So to Speak), my friend. Once again.

It does seem clever, but my shop vac at least, I can see blue arc sparks in the motor right below the outlet. Just a concern that popped into my head. Have to ask the "What if" questions, as is my nature. But I defer to your experience, for sure.

I love neat solutions.

Thanks!

Brad

Brad White_44

You still miss Petra too?

So you spent the past so many years fooling around with pipe and fittings trying to forget. And this is how it surfaces. No, you are not bitchin'. Pining maybe. And hey, it's ok!

Brad

EBEBRATT-Ed

I have used this trick and it works like a charm. I was an unbeliver at first but it saved the bacon and held a full 275 while the valve was changed. I don't think we lost 2 drops of oil.

The post about bushings is correct THEY SUCK! Every time I use one I usually regret it.

ED

burnerman_2

more added

i too was a non believer until my teacher showed me how it was done the vac. was outside the hose 10 feet from motor vent not completly tight and yes the first time i did my myself i did not lose a drop

Paul Fredricks_2

It takes a lot of heat to ignite oil, even the fumes. And don't forget, there is a lot of air in the tank, not just pure oil fumes. If it were gasoline, that would be a different story. I've used this solution many times in the last 25 years.

Paul

J.C.A._3

Worst case....

Homeowner phones the office at 3:00 on a Friday afternoon. Poor Wink's (his name!) been playing "dutchboy", with his finger in the dyke since 1:30.

I had the vaccuum attached before he even knew I was there, and he knew instictively what to do next as soon as he heard the vent start whistling.
Total spillage....Less than 1/2 a gallon.3/4 tank to start with!

Best use of the vaccuum trick....Tank vault built to hold 2- 225 gallon tanks. Opening about 1/2" shy of just sliding them into place. I placed the first one up against the wall and pulled a controlled vaccuum on the second tank so it fit with about 1/4" to spare through the opening. Needless to say, the last one in will fail first, and the instructions WERE left in the boiler instruction booklet...just in case.

Mother nature abhors a vaccuum, unless used properly. Chris