Fuel Oil Line Setup for Overhead Burner

ljmiller2506

Hello all,

I moved into a house with a 12' ceiling shop. It is heated with oil, the burner in the attic and the tank being outside the shop with the 2 lines running into the top of the tank. The previous owner, a friend of mine, removed the oil tank to pour a concrete pad out back and then reinstalled it. He told me all I had to do was prime the pump, which he had done before a few times, and it would work.

After trying many times to prime I got nothing but a few drops. I replaced the pump screen and filter (which is right before my pump, not right out of the tank). After trying again the filter is still dry.

I disconnected the supply line from the pump and tank and couldn't get any compressed air through it so I am going to replace. My plan is to replace the lines and go from there. I suppose my question is what is the best setup to run straight up 12'? Are there any considerations or extra steps to get a prime going up that high? is this setup adequate? just replace it exactly how it is? Any help is appreciated.

HVACNUT

If it's 2 pipe, it's self priming. But the pump needs oil to pull oil. Fill the filter canister with fresh oil.

Any chance the line is frozen if you can't clear it? Or some knucklehead put in check valves.

Is anyone testing combustion, or are we winging it?

EBEBRATT-Ed

When your friend relocated the tank he may have caused a leak in the suction pipe.

It is a suction leak that lets air in and you may not see oil leaking out.

Make sure the connections are tight and fill the filter with 20w motor oil. It should PU the prime if not your pulling in air.

Now you spent a lot of $$ on pumps and stuff.