Oil Burner

LDR

Would you answer a question or two please ? Oil burner will turn on then off, then on again as if there was air in the lines or maybe a clogged nozzle. So I changed filter and nozzle, checked pump screen and then I could not get oil burner pump to fill up filter canister - I could not get oil to the burner. Pulled small copper fuel line that supplies oil to the nozzle. Well, no oil was coming out of fuel line. Oil tank is piped with two pipes and not gravity fed. Fuel lines are coming out of the top of oil tank. I thought fuel lines were clogged so I got air compressor and blew the lines back to the oil tank.
Approximately 100 lbs of pressure was used. I do not know how I finally got oil burner to run again but I did. Original symptoms are still happening. Fires up for a little then flutters then off and eventually during the same cycle burner turns back on before lock out.

I have a Suntec A2VA-7116 oil pump. The oil pump makes a squeek sometimes when it first starts up then the squeek goes away. I do use fuel additive when the Oil delivery man delivers the oil. This is like my third pump so far. The last oil pump I installed was 1 1/2 years ago.

So I installed a new oil pump aproximately a week ago 06/18/2021. I thought pump was the problem. Same symptoms with the new pump installed. Burner turns on and then after a little bit of time, flame flutters off for about 5 to 8 seconds then flame comes back on. Never locks out on safety. Motor that spins oil pump is continually spinning never stops while the problem occurs.Coupler between motor and oil pump looks okay. I am just puzzled by all this.

Please help ? Thank you ?

Big Ed_4

Did you instal the bypass plug for two pipe ?

EBEBRATT-Ed

What @Big Ed_4 said

Are you finding sludge in the old pump, fuel lines or tank?

Ctoilman

Seems like suction line air leak to me.  

STEVEusaPA

Seems like you need someone who knows what they are doing and has the proper tools, skills and training to correctly diagnose the problem.

LDR

Yes bypass plug is installed. Not sure about the sludge. Pump screen is pretty clean. I would not be surprised if sludge exists in the bottom of tank. I do use an additive every time oil delivery man comes to deliver. I also thought it might be some sort of suction line air leak. Any tips on how to check for suction line air leak ?

Ctoilman

Inspect all fittings, they MUST be flared - NO compression.  I'm suspecting a bad flare joint so take them all apart and make sure they're good.  How do the fuel lines enter the tank?....pass thru fittings?  A vacuum test should be performed as well, about 15" would be maximum, less than 10" would ideal.  Where's the filter?

Ctoilman

Oh, and skip the additive you're putting in the tank, that crap is expensive and wreaks havoc on pumps.  

rick in Alaska

Basic question, but did you look closely at the pump coupler? Make sure the ends are not slipping on the coupler itself, and the shaft is not spinning on the inside of the end pieces. You have the classic symptoms of one that is slipping.
Rick

LDR

Hi guys thanks very much. The fuel lines enter the top of the tank. I am going to post some pictures. Looks to me if you look closely to the bottom of the pump the return fitting seems to be leaking. I see red fuel. When I tighten the brass fittings(I was afraid of going too tight)well I guess I need to tighten the return pipe fitting another revolution tighter. I am going to examine the coupler more closely tomorrow. I will skip the additive. Thank you.
[url=https://postimg.cc/dhgd0TQQ][img]https://i.postimg.cc/dhgd0TQQ/IMG-7003.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://postimg.cc/B8DFPQtT][img]https://i.postimg.cc/B8DFPQtT/IMG-7001.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://postimg.cc/gLcL7Vss][img]https://i.postimg.cc/gLcL7Vss/IMG-7002.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://postimg.cc/w7TD4pbz][img]https://i.postimg.cc/w7TD4pbz/IMG-6998.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://postimg.cc/phHFfbng][img]https://i.postimg.cc/phHFfbng/IMG-6999.jpg[/img][/url]

LDR

Apparently my pictures did not work ! I will try again. Hi guys thanks very much. The fuel lines enter the top of the tank. I am going to post some pictures. Looks to me if you look closely to the bottom of the pump the return fitting seems to be leaking. I see red fuel. When I tighten the brass fittings(I was afraid of going too tight)well I guess I need to tighten the return pipe fitting another revolution tighter. I am going to examine the coupler more closely tomorrow. I will skip the additive. Thank you.
https://i.postimg.cc/RVwGFC7W/IMG-6998.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/V6SWczsL/IMG-6999.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/3wfF6kTc/IMG-7001.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/tJWdYDVK/IMG-7002.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/9fQBJGv9/IMG-7003.jpg

LDR

Ok those pictures work in above post. Thank you for your input.

STEVEusaPA

Why not just post the pictures into the thread. This way they are there for future people who come upon the thread.

STEVEusaPA

You seem to be using the wrong pipe dope and you NEVER need to (or should) dope the flares themselves. You still have a leak. And you need to immediately take the firomatic valve off of the return line-against code. If (when) it fails, it will blow out your pump seal in seconds. And because it's on the return, the burner may still run for a while, pump a ridiculous amount of fuel into the chamber, and if you're lucky, doesn't ignite. If you're unlucky, massive oil spill/burn down your house.
Even without a firomatic, the same thing could happen with a clogged return line. This is why I never use a 2 pipe system and will rarely use a Tiger Poop.
But the proper answer still lies in my first post above. You need a properly trained pro.

LDR

Thanks Steve I appreciate your straight forward advice.