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Airlock in oil

Don_175
Don_175 Member Posts: 143
in Oil Heating

Had a weird thing happen today. No issues at all with steam boiler and Beckett AFG oil burner all winter. Had it cleaned and tuned up last May. This evening I noticed house felt cold. Tank is at least 3/8 full. Oil burner was locked out. I pushed reset once and no lights etc. sounded like it was trying to prime. I opened the bleeder under the pump and pushed reset. Oil came out and then a slug of air. Boiler running fine now. I’m just wondering why this would happen now vs earlier in the season. Our oil level in tank has gotten down to lower than this and no issues at all until now. Thank you for your advice.

Comments

  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,664

    Where is the oil tank?

    How old is the tank?

    Where is the oil filter, at the tank, or at the burner?

    1 pipe or 2 to the burner?

    If 1 pipe, does it come off the top or bottom of the tank?

    If you opened the bleeder before starting the burner, and it's not gravity fed, you could have sucked air into the pump. Then the issue might not even be oil related.

    If it happens again, call for service.

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 17,452

    Its possible the gauge in the tank is bad and you are lower on oil than you think

  • Don_175
    Don_175 Member Posts: 143
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1849292#Comment_1849292

    oil tank is in basement and is about 10 years old.
    Filter is at tank. One pipe. Comes off bottom and then goes up along ceiling.
    Gauge is definitely accurate as there is a float gauge as well as ultrasonic.
    I believe I opened bleeder after I pushed reset.
    I’ll call for service if it recurs. Thanks

  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 3,147

    That will happen with over head lines . Leaks , bad air primes and oil deliveries could add the air … I would recommend an Tigerloop ..

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,664

    Air in fuel oil is negligible, so if there was air, then a suction leak or high vacuum.

    LRCCBJ
  • Don_175
    Don_175 Member Posts: 143

    it’s been three days and no recurrence. I guess I’m just wondering why it hasn’t happened again. Could it have just been a one off?

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 17,452

    @Don_175

    Not likely. In my experience things mechanical never "heal" themselves. Overhead line can be problimatic.

    If it was mine I would take apart every fitting and check all flares and pipe joints. Also the oil filters can leak in a little air. The air got in there somehow.

    Most people will tell you to put a Tiger loop on it. I consider it a band aid and would use a two pipe system instead. But that is JMHO

  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,664

    Running a 1 pipe oil line up, over, and down can cause air issues over time. Especially if the filter at the tank needs replacement. A vacuum gauge at the burner would tell you. Avoid hills and valleys on the horizontal run. Keep it as straight and seamless as possible.

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