Oil smell after Tiger Loop installation?
About 3 weeks ago, we had a Tiger Loop system installed for multiple issues with our overhead single oil line. I noticed a bit of an oil smell in basement but thought it was due to spillage from install and tune up. It was cool today and heat came on. I noticed the smell again in basement. There are no leaks or seepage. Is this smell from the Tiger Loop venting air laden with oil fumes into basement? If so, is there any way to mitigate it? Thank you.
Comments
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I also a have a tiger loop that will sometimes have a faint smell when it vents. Look at the fuel level in the unit when it running. If you see bubbles in the fuel, then the unit should vent. The unit I believe only vents when burner is on as the fuel circulates through the pump.
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@Don_175 seems to have a Tigerloop that does not have the clear plastic top. That one is solid metal, so looking at the fuel level is not at all possible, because you can't see thru the metal.
Edward Young Retired
After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?
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Yes. The metal one is compatible with Biofuel which we have here. So the oil smell is normal? I thought it was a little strong.
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I cant stand the smell of chicken fat. If I go past a restaurant that specializes in chicken and happen to park near the back kitchen door and get a whiff of some chicken fat, I almost gag from the odor. But the chicken is good eatin'
I grew up in the retail fuel oil business, I would have that smell on my clothes all the time, from the first fuel delivery of the day or first burner service call… until the end of the day, where mom made us disrobe in the garage before entering the house. So an oil odor is like going home, a fond memory
So i can understand an insignificant fuel oil odor may be very offensive to some, while a fish monger or poultry farmer may not be so offended by raw food odors, as am I.
Edward Young Retired
After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?
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If there's enough venting being done that there's an odor, then there are leaks to address. The fact that the line is overhead doesn't make it "air prone". The Tiger Loop is fine, but fix the leak(s). Filter is at the tank? Pics of the tank?
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I read that In England a tiger loop is often installed outside. If inside it must have a dome that allows for a small hose to vent fumes outside. It would appear that a tiger loop venting inside as mine and yours and almost all in America will have an occasional oder but should only do this when oil pump is circulating the fuel.
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The oil smell. #6 oil was worse…well maybe not #2 is pretty bad. What I used to hate is after you live with it a while you get used to it.
I remember going into a diner to eat and everyone moved away. One old lady said "where is that smell of gasoline coming from" After that I brought my lunch and ate in the truck. Soaked my hand in bleach with water to try and get the grime off. The boilers with the oily wet soot were the worst. They have it easy now in comparison.
I won't post any more TL opinions no one wants to here it.
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I remember standing in line at a fast food place on more than one occasion when the people around me would ask about that gas smell. LOL. I would reply "I hope the gas ovens are not going to blow up like the one in Chicago last week". Onetime the people in line in front of me left and I would get to the front of the line faster.
(There was no such story about an oven blowing up in Chicago… but I got my order faster)
Edward Young Retired
After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?
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I went back down to the basement and put a paper towel under the filter near the tank. The safety valve or the connections were dripping. I shut off the valve before the filter, and dripping stopped. I also shut off the safety valve. I then went back later and turned everything back on. I even ran the boiler. No leak. Very strange. Not sure if exercising the valve did something. I’m keeping an eye on things. In the photo, I had moved the paper towel. The leak was under the right side of the brass valve.
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Could be the nipple between the valve and the filter or the filter gasket. Not serious but I am sure the smell is annoying.
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Could be the canister. Tiger Loop getting a bad rap again.
Vacuum test the oil line. Make sure it holds.
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I think it is that nipple between filter and Firomatic valve. Is it just 3/8” brass?
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You can use brass but most use steel.
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OK. Was just worried about using dissimilar metals. The valve is brass but oil filter housing is steel.
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just wanted to update and thank you guys. The leak was at the threaded section of the brass fitting on the left. Not the flare part. Removed it, applied some dope compatible with heating oil, and no more leak. Thanks again.
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Glad it worked out.
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oil dripping on the floor… I would never have guessed that would have an odor.
Edward Young Retired
After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?
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Update….so I took everything apart from the shutoff valve to the flare connection. Used gasoila and put everything back together. I guess I’m wondering how much is acceptable for a very slow drip. I put newspaper underneath the area for several days. Nothing. I then left a small aluminum tray and came back after a couple weeks. There was probably less than ¼ tsp of oil in the pan. I’m not sure if it’s a very slow drip from the filter or one of the connections. My thought is with the filter. The housing looks rather old. Washer looked fine when I opened it up. The leak is definitely much much better than it was, but not 100% gone.
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None is the only acceptable amount. Should be easy enough to figure out exactly where it is leaking. Wipe everything dry. Rub oil dry over all the suspected areas leaving a powder residue.
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That’s a great idea about the powder. Will give it a try
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"Washer looked fine when I opened it up"
Reusing a gasket — or in this case a washer — is always taking a gamble..
Br. Jamie, osb
Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England0 -
So, it’s looking like the oil may slowly be seeping from the packing area on the Firomatic valve. Is that something that I can tighten carefully. I just don’t want to wreck the valve
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I don't believe you can tighten the packing on a fuse valve. I have found Odorgon powder is the best for finding any oil leaks. Sprinkle some over all the fittings and wipe them down to make sure all the oil is off. Then what I do, is pour some in my hand and then blow on the powder to dust the fittings where it is hard to get to by pouring it on. Then it is just a matter of watching it for a bit and if the fitting is leaking, the powder will start showing as being wet. Also, that particular powder will get rid of the oil smell immediately. I used to go through a lot of it.
Rick
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Thanks, Rick. I put the powder on a few days ago and I haven’t seen any further drips. I had retightened a flare fitting that seemed a little wet. Either it stopped or is extremely slow.
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