What's this oil housing add on part

Northupthere

There is an extra part on the oil filter housing output

Steamhead

Looks like an Oil Safety Valve. Are there any markings on it?

STEVEusaPA

X2.

Northupthere

Just the in and out marks what does this valve do?can I take it off? I don’t see any other filters like this

Alan Welch

Leave it. It's not a filter, it prevents catastrophic oil leaks. It requires a slight vaccum to open , so you can't drain your tank by gravity if your oil line fails.

HVACNUT

No you don't take it off silly.
Anything with the word "Safety" in it is a good thing.

The OSV prevents the flow of oil unless it senses a vacuum. The inlet will be at 0, positive pressure at idle. In a vacuum if the burner is running.
The outlet must sense a vacuum (fuel being drawn by the fuel pump) in order to stay open.
Any break in the fuel line, pump, filter, etc. after the outlet side of the OSV will keep it closed to prevent gravity or siphon flow from your oil tank and conveniently dumping 200 gallons of fuel in your basement.

Northupthere

I was thinking of getting a spin on filter in place of the existing one. Does spin on filters eliminate the need for pump strainer screen cleaning? There is a Garber that filters to 10 microns.

STEVEusaPA

Northupthere said:

I was thinking of getting a spin on filter in place of the existing one. Does spin on filters eliminate the need for pump strainer screen cleaning? There is a Garber that filters to 10 microns.

Why would you think that?

Grallert

Northupthere said:

I was thinking of getting a spin on filter in place of the existing one. Does spin on filters eliminate the need for pump strainer screen cleaning? There is a Garber that filters to 10 microns.

It will make a difference. You'll still want to replace the strainer every annual service until you realize it's been spotless the last few times you've opened the pump. Then you'll start checking it every couple of years. Ever since the fuel oil got cleaner I can't remember the last time I came across a fouled pump strainer. It still does occur but less often so do check.

Alan Welch

Also,make sure you install a vacuum gauge on the filter, it will help you know when to change it.

Northupthere

If the pump strainer screen opening is bigger than 10 microns, wouldn’t anything smaller that the spin on doesn’t catch pass through it?

EdTheHeaterMan

Your logic is correct on the pump screen not collecting anything. and for the most part, that is true. I have a company in my area that installs 10 Micron filters on all the new installations and removes the pump screens then marks the boiler or furnace with the initials NS for no screen. I don't recommend this but only reporting my findings.

Regarding the Oil Safety Valve. The instructions indicate the proper location is after the oil filter. The oil entering the OSV should be filtered.

here is more info on OSV
http://www.websterfuelpumps.com/pdffiles/osv1.pdf

STEVEusaPA

Crap can still get thru. Put the pump strainer in, and follow @Grallert's advice.

unclejohn

In 1984 we bought our home that was built in 1962 and it had oil forced air heat. On a walk through with the owner I ask him who had removed the oil filter since the system had done. He said it never had one and he was the original owner. To be on the safe side I bought a oil pump. in 2012 I was able to get gas in the house and swapped out the oil. I still have the replacement oil pump.

Northupthere

Alan Welch said:

Also,make sure you install a vacuum gauge on the filter, it will help you know when to change it.

I was looking at those. Do I need to use thread sealant?

Alan Welch

Yes, not Teflon tape. And I think you will find after the pump strainer catches what comes out of the existing oil line, it will stay clean.

Northupthere

Ok I’ll have to get some fuel oil rated thread sealant and I’m also just going to replace the fuel line while I’m at it. It’s not very far to the tank.

Alan Welch

Flared fittings and firomatic valves at tank and burner.

Northupthere

Ok, I was going to have the company take car of this I wanted to give them some sense of what I want installed. I’m not comfortable with the full tank of oil and removing lines. I’ll surely change the filters though

Big Ed_4

If the oil supply tank is 12' or more above the burners pump you need a OSV to protect the pump seal ... A added note

Northupthere

It is at the same level as the boiler less than 10 feet away

Northupthere

I’m trying to check draft but there isn’t a hole. There is a viewing window and an odd looking brass screen with a plug in it. It looks like a flathead. I’m not good with internet I tried to display the video below

https://streamable.com/oz0wf

Northupthere

> @Alan Welch said:
> Also,make sure you install a vacuum gauge on the filter, it will help you know when to change it.

Here is my gauge with the boiler running. This is desired vacuum right? I tested the gauge before installing it and it works.

Alan Welch

Yes, when it gets into the yellow when running it is definitely time to change.

Northupthere

Can I get by waiting until it’s in the yellow until I change the filter? It’s new now and next year if it’s still in the green should I change it anyway?

Northupthere

The instructions for the filter say to fill it with clean heating oil before installing. Problem is I don’t have access to heating oil unless I siphon the tank which I’m. It even gonna try. Can I get a 1/4 gallon of diesel at the gas station to do this? It’s the same stuff minus the red dye no?

Alan Welch

Pick upa replacement, check after every oil delivery, and change when it gets in or
Near the yellow.

HVACNUT

You don't need to fill the new oil filter with oil before installing. Just prime the pump if one pipe. Self prime for two pipe.

Northupthere

Ok I will do that then. Thanks

Northupthere

This filter separates the water from the fuel is there a certain amount of water it will hold before it starts putting that water back into the fuel? Say for example if I have a clean tank but there’s just moisture in it and there’s more moisture in the fuel than actual sediment or dirt.

I guess what I’m asking is does water in the fuel increase the vacuum and bring the needle into the yellow? Or is it just dirt?

I use bottle of the FPPF HOT 4 in 1 with each tank of oil

stevemikel

Remember the OSV is position sensitive. Very necessary on any positive pressure fuel system

Grallert

Northupthere said:

This filter separates the water from the fuel is there a certain amount of water it will hold before it starts putting that water back into the fuel? Say for example if I have a clean tank but there’s just moisture in it and there’s more moisture in the fuel than actual sediment or dirt.



I guess what I’m asking is does water in the fuel increase the vacuum and bring the needle into the yellow? Or is it just dirt?



I use bottle of the FPPF HOT 4 in 1 with each tank of oil

You need to be very concerned if you find any measurable water on your tank or filter.