Question on Heating Oil!

youth_leader

I'm really sorry to read this sujsuj , hope you have wood for the fire.  I think you will have to wait for someone in the know, running out of oil while the boiler is running it might require a service now. 

Davesnave

sujsuj said:

greatcrested said:

Delivery drivers will not fill a tank to the brim. They have to leave a space at the top.

Having said that,you may indeed have a 2500 tank. Is there no sticker on it, or even some wording stamped into it? Look all over!

Like Dave and most users, I have a long garde cane I use. Yes, I have a fancy apollo Watchman electronic system, which is great as a guide and saves going out in winter too often to measure. But as soon as that starts indicating low level, it's the cane I rely on.

To callibrate your cane, get the tank topped up to 'full'. Insert can and mark where the oil reaches. I used a bit of red gloss paint. Then measure off halfway, and halfway again etc.

But as dave also says, you might want to get the tank checked before topping up.

Is it plastic or steel? Any idea how old? Have you inspected it for rust (especially underneath) if steel? Have you inspected the pipe coming out for drips etc?

It's hard to know if the bottom has a layer of water and/or sludge, and how deep so an option while it's relatively empty is to get a contractor to pump it out (they'll bring drums or similar to temporarily store the oil) and check/clean inside.

When you finally are ready to fill to capacity shop around (which you should do each time anyway) for a supplier willing to take an order "To fill", rather than a specific amount. They'll want a best guess at how much, but will put a bit more (or less) in if the tank will take it. But not all suppliers will do this especially when ordering via a group buying club.

Most household boilers use 28 sec kerosene. (or do you have an Aga?)

Is there really no paperwork at all, for boiler or tank?

Did you get a record from the seller of the last boiler service? If yes, that should show you. If no, get it serviced and talk to the engineer about the tank too.

  I saw a lone cane next to the Tank, now I know its use. Thanks.

But it sounds like you didn't use it.  As I said earlier in the thread, sight glass gauges can be wrong and so can electronic ones.

I think I'd now see if I could get the tank de-sludged and the boiler serviced before buying a large quantity of oil, but I've never been in the position of running out. I imagine a service guy could bring along enough clean oil to get you going again.

sujsuj

Davesnave said:

sujsuj said:

greatcrested said:

Delivery drivers will not fill a tank to the brim. They have to leave a space at the top.

Having said that,you may indeed have a 2500 tank. Is there no sticker on it, or even some wording stamped into it? Look all over!

Like Dave and most users, I have a long garde cane I use. Yes, I have a fancy apollo Watchman electronic system, which is great as a guide and saves going out in winter too often to measure. But as soon as that starts indicating low level, it's the cane I rely on.

To callibrate your cane, get the tank topped up to 'full'. Insert can and mark where the oil reaches. I used a bit of red gloss paint. Then measure off halfway, and halfway again etc.

But as dave also says, you might want to get the tank checked before topping up.

Is it plastic or steel? Any idea how old? Have you inspected it for rust (especially underneath) if steel? Have you inspected the pipe coming out for drips etc?

It's hard to know if the bottom has a layer of water and/or sludge, and how deep so an option while it's relatively empty is to get a contractor to pump it out (they'll bring drums or similar to temporarily store the oil) and check/clean inside.

When you finally are ready to fill to capacity shop around (which you should do each time anyway) for a supplier willing to take an order "To fill", rather than a specific amount. They'll want a best guess at how much, but will put a bit more (or less) in if the tank will take it. But not all suppliers will do this especially when ordering via a group buying club.

Most household boilers use 28 sec kerosene. (or do you have an Aga?)

Is there really no paperwork at all, for boiler or tank?

Did you get a record from the seller of the last boiler service? If yes, that should show you. If no, get it serviced and talk to the engineer about the tank too.

  I saw a lone cane next to the Tank, now I know its use. Thanks.

But it sounds like you didn't use it.  As I said earlier in the thread, sight glass gauges can be wrong and so can electronic ones.

I think I'd now see if I could get the tank de-sludged and the boiler serviced before buying a large quantity of oil, but I've never been in the position of running out. I imagine a service guy could bring along enough clean oil to get you going again.

Yes one of the many 'should have/'could have' ....

strawb_shortcake

Boiler juice is usually really quick for delivery, but I wouldn't count on it.
If your boiler has stopped working check the level with a cane, but I think you need an engineer to take a look, a service should be under £100

Slithery

Did you measure using the cane or were you relying on the tube?
There's a special knack to reading tubes properly, there should be a tap on top of it (to prevent water getting in) which needs opening to equalise the pressure before you can take an accurate reading. Until you open the tap the reading won't move so could be nearly a whole tank out.
Don't forget to close it again afterwards...

greatcrested

The pipework may need bleeding as well.

You need a boiler service guy.

As suggested, it's also an ideal time to get the tank de-sludged.

I would

a) ring round local OFTEC engineers, explain the issue and choose one who can sort out the tank as well as the boiler. As suggested, he should be able to bring drums to i) remove sludge and ii) put in enough oil to get started

b) delay your delivery till you've got the boiler going again

https://www.oftec.org/consumers/find-a-technician

sujsuj

Tube still shows foot+ oil. Obviously wasn't aware of this tap on the top thing. Will check tomorrow. But I have seen measurement lowered in last 2 weeks. But still thought foot plus enough , didn't get panicky.
Never used cane, fully replying on  tube. One reason being  I saw  2 openings on the top. so wasn't sure which one to open and place cane. Thanks 

greatcrested

Of course you (and we) are assuming your problem is no oil. It may be a blocked pipeline (sludge?) or a faulty boiler. Eitherway, you need an engineer.

Does not reallymatter which tank opening you use. Stick the cane down gently till it hits the bottom. Pull it up and see if/where the damp patch is. That will give an indication of whether there's anything in the tank.

sujsuj

greatcrested said:

The pipework may need bleeding as well.

You need a boiler service guy.

As suggested, it's also an ideal time to get the tank de-sludged.

I would

a) ring round local OFTEC engineers, explain the issue and choose one who can sort out the tank as well as the boiler. As suggested, he should be able to bring drums to i) remove sludge and ii) put in enough oil to get started

b) delay your delivery till you've got the boiler going again

https://www.oftec.org/consumers/find-a-technician

b) delay your delivery till you've got the boiler going again
I can understand sludge removal before oil filled in. But if I didn't fill before boiler service how can I be sure its going to work when oil is filled..??

sujsuj

 I am feeling sorry because despite my thread in forum and all great responses I had here, still I couldn't avoid this..!!