Sticking Oil Tank Level Gauge

jkon

I have a Scully combination fuel oil gauge with vent alarm on my 275 gallon vertical oil tank. System is 30 years old. Recently the float level in the plastic tube stays at the bottom of the tube after I get a fill up oil delivery. The float level in the tube will begin to move if I unscrew the plastic tube. So every time I get an oil delivery I have to unscrew and remove the plastic tube. Very mind boggling. I have checked and and it doesn't look like the float level is hanging up against the side of the tube. Thought about shaving a little off the diameter of the float level disc. May be time to replace the whole thing. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

STEVEusaPA

It's probably slightly bent, a little moisture in the clear plastic tube, and/or a little crud on the rod keeping it from moving freely.
If it doesn't hang up on the way down, I'd probably just unscrew the tube a few times a years.
If it's only the gauge in it's own hole, not a gauge/whistle combo you could replace it. If you replace it, pipe dope, no teflon tape, and make sure you follow the instructions about how to screw it in with a full tank so you don't damage it.
If it's a combo, best to let your oil company replace it. If done wrong and there's a spill on a tank burst, you're on the hook for it.

jkon

It does not stick on the way down. That’s what doesn’t make sense. 

EdTheHeaterMan

The float on the older gauges was cork. After years of Tank Bottom Deposits (TBD) forming on the cork float, "She no float so good" and my Italian neighbor used to say. The next time the tank is near 1/2 full, take the plastic gauge cover off and slowly lift the float and splash it down a dozen times or so. That might knock off some of the excess weight and loosen up any TBD on the float and the arm mechanism. Must be at 1/2 tank or less for this to work. You should hear the splash every time you let it drop. It is important to be delicate when lifting the float arm.

STEVEusaPA

jkon said:

It does not stick on the way down. That’s what doesn’t make sense. 

Gravity is helping on the way down.

jkon

With the plastic tube removed when I push the float all the way down the float has no problem returning to the top. If I push the float all the way down and quickly screw the plastic tube on, the float sticks. Float works fine with the plastic tube removed. I ordered a new plastic tube. If that doesn’t work, I will replace the entire thing.

STEVEusaPA

You don’t think it’s sticking because the stem is bent and the indicator is touching the plastic tube?

jkon

I checked it out closely. Doesn’t look like it is bent. I even shined a flashlight at the level indicator inside the tube and it doesn’t look like the level indicator is touching the sides of the tube. If the new plastic tube doesn’t work I will try trimming the diameter of the round float indicator in case it is touching the sides of the plastic tube.

HVACNUT

How are you testing the float, by pushing down on the indicator? IOW, are you submerging the float while testing?

There's an arrow on the guide disc so you know it's parallel to the side walls.

Gaskets above and below the guide disc?

jkon

What are you trying to say?