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What's this oil housing add on part

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Northupthere
Northupthere Member Posts: 35
in THE MAIN WALL
There is an extra part on the oil filter housing output

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  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,845
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    Looks like an Oil Safety Valve. Are there any markings on it?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    STEVEusaPA
  • STEVEusaPA
    STEVEusaPA Member Posts: 6,505
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    X2.

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • Northupthere
    Northupthere Member Posts: 35
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    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
    Alan Welch Member Posts: 268
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    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
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 5,841
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    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
    Northupthere Member Posts: 35
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    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
    STEVEusaPA Member Posts: 6,505
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    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?

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • Grallert
    Grallert Member Posts: 644
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    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.
    Miss Hall's School service mechanic, greenhouse manager,teacher and dog walker
  • Alan Welch
    Alan Welch Member Posts: 268
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    Also,make sure you install a vacuum gauge on the filter, it will help you know when to change it.
    Solid_Fuel_Man
  • Northupthere
    Northupthere Member Posts: 35
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    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?
    ChrisJ
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 7,859
    edited February 2020
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    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

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • STEVEusaPA
    STEVEusaPA Member Posts: 6,505
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    Crap can still get thru. Put the pump strainer in, and follow @Grallert's advice.

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

    SuperTech
  • unclejohn
    unclejohn Member Posts: 1,833
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    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.
    ChrisJ
  • Northupthere
    Northupthere Member Posts: 35
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    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
    Alan Welch Member Posts: 268
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    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
    Northupthere Member Posts: 35
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    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
    Alan Welch Member Posts: 268
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    Flared fittings and firomatic valves at tank and burner.
  • Northupthere
    Northupthere Member Posts: 35
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    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
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 2,785
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    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

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • Northupthere
    Northupthere Member Posts: 35
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    It is at the same level as the boiler less than 10 feet away
  • Northupthere
    Northupthere Member Posts: 35
    edited February 2020
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    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
    Northupthere Member Posts: 35
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    > @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
    Alan Welch Member Posts: 268
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    Yes, when it gets into the yellow when running it is definitely time to change.
  • Northupthere
    Northupthere Member Posts: 35
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    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
    Northupthere Member Posts: 35
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    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
    Alan Welch Member Posts: 268
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    Pick upa replacement, check after every oil delivery, and change when it gets in or
    Near the yellow.
    Solid_Fuel_Man
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 5,841
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    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
    Northupthere Member Posts: 35
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    Ok I will do that then. Thanks
  • Northupthere
    Northupthere Member Posts: 35
    edited March 2020
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    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
    stevemikel Member Posts: 8
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    Remember the OSV is position sensitive. Very necessary on any positive pressure fuel system
  • Grallert
    Grallert Member Posts: 644
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    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.
    Miss Hall's School service mechanic, greenhouse manager,teacher and dog walker
    SuperTech

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