Leaking oil valve

TheGreenFrog

The valve on the outlet pipe of my oil tank is leaking (not too badly yet).  I am wondering whether it can be replaced without having to drain the tank?  Picture attached.

stuart45

A mate of mine said it can be done by creating a vacuum in the tank. 
It's not my trade so I've never done it myself.

diveunderthebonnet

If not leaking to bad i would wait till the summer and run the tank level down ,you could then turn off the heating ,turn the valve off and disconnect the pipe that comes off it ,then have a bung the same size ready and unscrew the valve replace straight away with the bung ,buy a new valve and reverse the procedure . The reason to run the tank level down is that the flow out of the tank will be a lot less than if the tank is full.

ThisIsWeird

In theory, swapping the valves should take no more than three seconds - Ie the actual time whilst there isn't a valve in place.
A container under this should catch any spill - straight back into the tank.
Gloves - not a nice stuff for skin.
Theories are great.

TheGreenFrog

My boiler man has just told me he is the fastest valve swapper in these parts.   We will see.  Doesn't sound like he uses the vacuum method!

ThisIsWeird

What's very important during this process - actually vital - is for you to record it.

TheGreenFrog

ThisIsWeird said:

What's very important during this process - actually vital - is for you to record it.

Will try to do so!  He has to order the part first.

greyteam1959

Never mind recording it make sure you stand well out of the way. 

diveunderthebonnet

greyteam1959 said:

Never mind recording it make sure you stand well out of the way. 

Or wear cloths that do not intend to wear again