Oil tank not empty but heating system doesn't work.

Paddy Fields · 01-10-2013 9:38am #1

I came back from Thailand to find that the mmm "friend" that had been house-sitting had let the oil run right down. I checked with my dipstick and according to a chart there is about 25 litres left in the tank. Problem is the heating does not work. When you hit the switch there is an ignition sound but the rads do not heat.

Question is, do oil systems have a type of "run dry" cut out below a certain level or is it a case of a broken pump?

Thanks all.

Pete67 · 01-10-2013 10:28am

The outlet from the tank is not at the lowest point in order to avoid picking up any water or sediment that may accumulate at the bottom, so it's likely that 25 litres is not enough to allow oil to flow to the burner. Top up the tank and try again. If the burner still won't start It is likely that the pump has become airlocked and will need to be bled to get the burner running.

Paddy Fields · 01-10-2013 10:42am

Ok, thanks for the reply. My house is for sale so I was reluctant to top up especially as most places have a minimum delivery of 200L. However if it does not sell going into the winter then I found a place will deliver 100L so I'll give that a go and hopefully it will work.

Thanks again.

Billy Bunting · 01-10-2013 3:21pm

Quite a few petrol stations now sell it in 25lt containers.

Cerco · 01-10-2013 4:34pm

How long is it since you had a service and the oil filter checked/changed? You may have a blocked filter in the oil feed line. This can happen when oil level is low. Anyway topping up with 100L should allow you to diagnose the problem.

Paddy Fields · 01-10-2013 4:42pm

To be honest don't know as yet and will have to check. Another condition of that "friend" staying here was to keep the system serviced. I believe he did but I'm just not sure when. I think there might be a label on the boiler; I'll have a look.

Oil tank not empty but heating system doesn't work.

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