Water in oil tank

fjon

I just noticed that the lid on my heating oil tank was off, and there's about 2 inches of (mostly) water in there now.
Does anyone know if any of the oil delivery trucks are able to remove the water in the tank?
I could probably upend the tank and pour the water out myself, but as it's on the roof it's quite a pain to do so.

Pete67

You could syphon it out into suitable drums using a length of hose, but as it's contaminated with oil you will have to get it disposed of properly.

fjon

Pete67 wrote: »

You could syphon it out into suitable drums using a length of hose, but as it's contaminated with oil you will have to get it disposed of properly.

Thanks, was hoping to be able to do it without syphoning. The tank's light enough so I should be able to open the tap and tip it. Ideally would prefer someone else to do it, but after ringing a few places I'm not sure any of them do it.
Not sure where to get the drums, nor where to dispose of the oil though. Ballyogan accepts motor oil - would kerosene be accepted too?

kay 9

I'd be careful what I'd do with that if I was you. I'm a plumber by trade and I know of two houses that had to be torn up due oil leaks. I forget the name of the firm that demanded it but the owners weren;t too happy.

fjon

Looked into it a bit more, and think I'll get a pro in to do it. There's a fair bit of water.
Thanks for all the replies.

Buford T Justice

kay 9 wrote: »

I'd be careful what I'd do with that if I was you. I'm a plumber by trade and I know of two houses that had to be torn up due oil leaks. I forget the name of the firm that demanded it but the owners weren;t too happy.

Can you elaborate a bit more on that?

peanut970

hi
i had the exact same problem last year,my oil company gave me the number of a disposal company who came and pumped it out and disposed of it,it cost around €100 ,the company was based in kilcock but im sure the would be someone nearer to you
hth

facken

fjon wrote: »

I just noticed that the lid on my heating oil tank was off, and there's about 2 inches of (mostly) water in there now.
Does anyone know if any of the oil delivery trucks are able to remove the water in the tank?
I could probably upend the tank and pour the water out myself, but as it's on the roof it's quite a pain to do so.

Depending on the type of oil you use the water may stay on the top. Even so you would need to keep the level well above your outlet. I know it's getting cold but, if possible, I would turn off the lever valve on your tank. All oil companies have the ability to "suck out" the oil, depending on your relationship with them they may do this free of charge. I know one poster said it would cost €100 but a normal suck out charge should only be €30 to €40. If you want to really play the game, blame your delivery company for putting the water in there in the first place and they will have to sort it, obviously omitting the fact that you let the lid off, or did they...

Sparkpea

facken wrote: »

Depending on the type of oil you use the water may stay on the top. Even so you would need to keep the level well above your outlet. I know it's getting cold but, if possible, I would turn off the lever valve on your tank. All oil companies have the ability to "suck out" the oil, depending on your relationship with them they may do this free of charge. I know one poster said it would cost €100 but a normal suck out charge should only be €30 to €40. If you want to really play the game, blame your delivery company for putting the water in there in the first place and they will have to sort it, obviously omitting the fact that you let the lid off, or did they...

I've been made to believe that the water should stay ontop and should not be a problem unless as u say it gets down to the connection.

also I dont feel all oil companies can suck it out, certainly not with their tankers, it should require a spare oil tank and an oil transfer pump. Most companies up north may charge about £80 to do this as they claim its a 2 man job however you can hire an oil transfer pump for a day for about £25 from any hire company and do it yourself if you can get your hands on a spare tank.

facken

Sparkpea wrote: »

I've been made to believe that the water should stay ontop and should not be a problem unless as u say it gets down to the connection.

also I dont feel all oil companies can suck it out, certainly not with their tankers, it should require a spare oil tank and an oil transfer pump. Most companies up north may charge about £80 to do this as they claim its a 2 man job however you can hire an oil transfer pump for a day for about £25 from any hire company and do it yourself if you can get your hands on a spare tank.

I agree with you that tankers cannot take oil from tanks but all domestic delivery trucks should have the ability of taking the oil out. In my opinion the biggest problem is getting as close to the tank as possible, as it is easier to put the oil in than take the oil out. This is why two people may be required to pull the hose from the truck. Also (again only in my opinion) oil companies much prefer selling oil than the time, effort and hassle of taking oil out, hence charging what they can for the service.

As far as I know only road diesel will have water settle to the bottom, kerosene and marked gas oil (commonly used for home heating) will have the water stay at the top. But, as you say, it's a different story if it gets to the boiler!

fjon

So after the defuelling and filling up with new kerosene the boiler now won't turn on. Pretty sure I didn't turn it on when there was water in the tank.
Will need to get someone else in to look at the boiler now.

Sparkpea

fjon wrote: »

So after the defuelling and filling up with new kerosene the boiler now won't turn on. Pretty sure I didn't turn it on when there was water in the tank.
Will need to get someone else in to look at the boiler now.

did u bleed the burner?

fjon

No I didn't, and realise that might be what it is. Is it something I can do myself?

Sparkpea

fjon wrote: »

No I didn't, and realise that might be what it is. Is it something I can do myself?

yes if ur a competent enough person and have a spanner. I'm guessing the light on the burner is coming on...

Anyway follow the oil hose into the burner (maybe need to take the casing off for a better view), there should be a nut beside/behind where the hose connects into - normally about a size 16 spanner should do it, loosen it off a little bit until oil starts to drip freely out of it, then press the red button on the burner and it might/should start to come out of it quicker as the oil pump will draw it through then tighten it up and fingers crossed thats it. u may need to do it a few times as its ur first time trying it.

also u should only need the spanner to loosen and tighten the nut everything else should be done by hand (screwing the nut out a bit etc.)

if ur still stuck let me know what burner it is and i'll see if I can point u in a better direction

fjon

Thanks for that. Doesn't sound too hard. Bit dark to try now, but will give it a shot tomorrow.

fjon

After a lot of spluttering and dripping I think I managed it! The burner fired up a few times and went out at the start, but it's been on for an hour now, so I hope that's it.
Thanks for the tip - definitely much easier than excepted.

Sparkpea

Good job

kay 9

Fingers McGee wrote: »

Can you elaborate a bit more on that?

Hi Fingers, what ya wanna know and I'll pm ya.