oil heat copper lines

Benze3

Hi, Steam boilers that have hinged doors for cleaning inside boiler. Door can not be opened to clean because of copper oil lines to the burner. Should oil lines be disconnected from burner so door can be opened and then re-connected or should the copper lines be replaced with flexible oil lines , and if so what flexible lines are the best ? Thank you.

Big Ed_4

Yes oil lines can be disconnected , look for shut off valve or be careful of a gravity feed .. I am surprised someone ran them across a clean out .. Yes they make flexible line , normally used when the oil burner swings out with the door like on a Buderus .

STEVEusaPA

If the oil line is attached to the pump screen cover, you could just remove the pump screen cover (you’re replacing pump screen and gasket on the pm, right?).
Otherwise, I’d use a flex lines. If you have it piped with 2 lines, and you have to have 2 lines, I’d switch to a tiger loop and use flex lines. You can get them at a supply house like RE Michel or Sid Harvey. It helps if your oil line is on the hinge side of the boiler door for flex lines.
Obviously shut the supply oil line at the tank before you start.

SuperTech

I just pull the oil pump off the burner. It's two 3/8 bolts and takes a minute to remove. You should also be able to clean the air band and shutter after removing the pump. I do this on every maintenance wether I have to open the unit or not.

STEVEusaPA

30 years, I never thought of leaving the lines connected & pulling the pump.
I do think its better than working the flares, but my luck the coupling pops out, then I end up having to pull the motor too...lol
Good idea though, especially for cleaning out the burner housing.

SuperTech

> @STEVEusaPA said:
> 30 years, I never thought of leaving the lines connected & pulling the pump.
> I do think its better than working the flares, but my luck the coupling pops out, then I end up having to pull the motor too...lol
> Good idea though, especially for cleaning out the burner housing.

Yup, I clean the housing and burner blower wheel with a brush and brake clean. Guys say I get a little crazy and go overboard, lol.

mattmia2

I'd be careful about not getting the brake cleaner near the bearings.

SuperTech

> @mattmia2 said:
> I'd be careful about not getting the brake cleaner near the bearings.

And it will take the black paint off the pump, and the Gray paint inside the chassis. Lol, it's always easy enough to loosen a set screw a remove a tiny blower wheel.