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Oil Pump Leak after Maintenance

stuartt
stuartt Member Posts: 3
in Oil Heating

I have scoured and scoured trying to find an answer but I'm not sure what the true source of my leak is.

I just replaced the wool filter and started to notice a little leak where the red circles are on the attached photo. It's inside the air band area on the base, and inside the burner housing assembly, but only on the bottom, nowhere I can see around the top/sides.

I replaced the nozzle, and the oil pump strainer and gasket, but I'm still seeing the leak from the red circled areas.

Its not dripping from the nozzle back down the tube, it's completely dry in there. It's also not leaking out of the nozzle supply line, again completely dry and the fan in the housing is bone dry as well.

That leads me to believe it's coming from the pump somewhere, but I'm not sure where that would be after a gasket replacement, any tips? Should I just try another gasket replacement and try to clean the pump better to ensure its seating correctly?

Screenshot_20250121_002929_Adobe Acrobat.jpg

Comments

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 17,505

    You could have something on the outside of the pump leaking. When the burner runs it (the oil) can get pulled in with the air.

    If not that it is probably the pump seal so the pump would have to be changed.

    Grallert
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,682

    You can test the pump by cranking the pressure adjustment screw fully CW and make sure it reaches its max psi without dropping off. Then return the pump setting to where it was.

    Next, run the burner, then shut off the gauge valve and shut off the burner. Pressure shouldn't drop more than 20 psi.

    If you wind up replacing the fuel pump, don't forget to check/set correct pressure and of course combustion and smoke tests.

  • stuartt
    stuartt Member Posts: 3

    Appreciate the replies all -

    Any advice on the replacement pump for the attached photos? Old owner has wiped away the markings so my best guess is the Suntec 7116, but I'm not sure.

    image.png


    image.png
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,682

    The qualified oil tech will know what fuel pump to use if that's what's needed. He or she should also offer some very needed upgrades.

    If there are no qualified oil techs near you and you DIY, you need to get the equipment to properly test everything. Hard numbers matter. "Looks good" doesn't cut it. We can't confirm anything if we don’t have any information to go by.

    Where's the Firomatic valve, at the filter?

  • stuartt
    stuartt Member Posts: 3
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1837121#Comment_1837121

    The only shutoff valves for oil flow are on the two lines outside at the tank itself.

    Unfortunately the previous owner was one of those "hire a buddy to upkeep/upgrade systems" kind of guys, and the buddy didn't seem to do many things the right way.

    (I have called the guy they used, he's just a guy in his 70's who doesn't have a license or company, but has experience, so needless to say I was going to attempt some DIY while I search around for a reputable company near me.)

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