Small leak on the filler pipe into the oil tank

Demon · January 1

I've attached photos for clarity showing the oil leak/build up on top of the tank. This started appearing since the last several years, and has been very slowly occuring ONLY during fill ups.

Looking for any advice how to seal this off without major repair/replacement for the time being.

Thank you

MaxMercy · January 1

The easiest way would be to cut the pipe right in the middle and clean, dope, and teflon tape the bottom threaded section and thread it back in tight. Use a dresser coupling to rejoin the two sections of pipe.

HydronicMike · January 1

It's all threaded pipe. Start outside, unscrew it, re-dope, screw it back in.

Demon · January 1

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1880260#Comment_1880260

I'm pretty sure this would be creating more potential issues by making another section that could potentially leak .... Even so yes it's doable but not practical imo.

pecmsg · January 1

then as said

Start unscrewing everything and reassemble

Demon · January 1

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1880271#Comment_1880271

So this is original from the 70s. It might not be doable without causing more damage (with the piping through the wall above the foundation which is sealed off). And the likeyhood it won't unscrew cleanly if at all from the tank or otherwise.

Is there no option like a temporary epoxy or something ?

pecmsg · January 1

Flex Seal LOL!

Yes

Cut the pipe

remove the leaking section

Chase the threads and reinstall with pipe dope

Dresser coupling

Demon · January 1

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1880277#Comment_1880277

LOL flex that flex seal 💪 I'll have to do some investigating to see if this would be the best route to go with using a coupler. I'm just worried about the threaded section of the pipe breaking off being seized or something into the tank.

pecmsg · January 1

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1880284#Comment_1880284

I'm just worried about the threaded section of the pipe breaking off being seized

That would be a 1st!

patrykrebisz · January 1

leave it as it is.

you are asking for more trouble by opening it up.

HVACNUT · January 1

@Demon , a dresser coupling isn't practical, but epoxy is? How do you define practical, easier? There's three options, and you've been told two. Dresser coupling, or completely repipe. The third is replace the tank and piping since you stated its about 50 years old.

Demon · January 1

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1880288#Comment_1880288

I never said using epoxy is practical. Only that creating another potential leak point wouldn't be practical. I only asked if other options like epoxy would be workable solution. But I'm open to any ideas and proven solutions.

On that note I do agree with option 2 or 3. But at this point in time I just need something temporary since it's not a critical problem right now.

Thank you !

EBEBRATT-Ed · January 1

Its not really a problem. Go into 10 houses and you will find a few leakers.

The issue is the tapping are welded into the tank. The threaded portion is shallow so when they are welded the cooling weld metal shrinks in different directions making the tapping not quite round. Think oval. This is why they leak.

Add to that the ultra-stupid requirement of not being able to use Teflon tape as a sealant makes them prone to leak.

Wait until summer. Get some 2' pipe wrenches and unscrew everything clean the threads and re dope and install.

You could also cut the riser and rethread it put it back together with a union and a nipple

HydronicMike · January 1

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1880260#Comment_1880260

Dresser coupling is against code. Yes people have used them and never had a problem.

MaxMercy · January 3

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1880264#Comment_1880264

Code compliant or not, a dresser coupling properly installed will NOT leak.

Demon · January 3

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1880675#Comment_1880675

Well true any plumbing done right shouldn't leak. But nothing's forever. Either way whatever I end up doing and if it works out I'll post here what solution I used

MaxMercy · January 4

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1880692#Comment_1880692

By "done right" I didn't mean that any extraordinary effort need be put into the installation - only to follow directions. In other words, if a dresser coupling leaks, it simply was put in wrong - same as any other plumbing fail.

Small leak on the filler pipe into the oil tank

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