Options for cleaning oil tank?

Mark R.

I have a Beckett AFG burner with pre and post purge, and a Garber filter with a vacuum gauge on the suction side of the filter. At the time I was running a two line system. The vacuum jumped to 7"hg after a recent oil delivery. I have since changed to a one line to minimize the oil flow. I did an autopsy on the filter I removed, and found a black slime coating (about like black paint)the filter element which explains the increse in vacuum. I would like suggestions as to the best way to clean the oil in the tank or do I have to pump it out and clean the tank. I would appreciate any help. Thanks Mark R.

Mark R.

I have a Beckett AFG burner with pre and post purge, and a Garber filter with a vacuum gauge on the suction side of the filter. At the time I was running a two line system. The vacuum jumped to 7"hg after a recent oil delivery. I have since changed to a one line to minimize the oil flow. I did an autopsy on the filter I removed, and found a black slime coating (about like black paint)the filter element which explains the increse in vacuum. I would like suggestions as to the best way to clean the oil in the tank or do I have to pump it out and clean the tank. I would appreciate any help. Thanks Mark R.

Pinball

First of all, how old is the tank? 2nd, where is it located? (in basement, underground,etc.) If it is going for 25-30 years old, REPLACE IT! if it is underground,have it tested before and after cleaning (NOT Cheap) The tank is telling you "I'm getting tired"

good luck
Al

Bill Nye_2

You could

Like Al said, one, you could replace the tank. Or two, I have seen ad's lately for new improved top feed "snorkel" pick ups. The fuel pick up floats on the surface of the fuel.

Way in the past the rubber line would get brittle and leak. This newer version is supposed to be improved.

lchmb

But then again

Like the other post's said, if it's old replace it. Then again if it is a newer tank it could just be the fuel. I have been seeing a lot of crud in the oil in the last year or two.

Leo

How long had the filter been on? A year or over it was time to change. The garber is good because it picks up a lot of junk.

Leo

Mark R.

More Information

I neglected to say the tank was installed new in 1989, and it is outside near the house, and is top feed. I was thinking of trying to take it down low and running a 1/2" PVC throught the fill hole and see what I could pump off the bottom with a pump. The filter was installed last March and ran until Jan 10. Not long at all considering it does not run in warm weather. I used HOT OIL treatment when it was filled on Oct. 19, and again last week when it was filled (128 gallons which I thought was pretty good). If my attempt fails at removing some of the sludge, maybe I should see how long the filter goes with the single line setup. Any additional comments would be appreciatated. Thanks for your help.

Todd_9

tank cleaning

What I would do is. First, make sure the tank is pitched toward the drain valve, and drain off any sludge that's on the bottom of the tank. Second install a large General(2a700) filter just before the Garber. Three every year during the annual maintainence draw off any moisture/sludge that's built up inside the tank.
If you want you can also use an empty filter cannister before the two other filters and let that act as a trap or sludge pot. This is referred to as triple filtration and it does work well. Make sure all the filters are located inside the building so they do not freeze.