Bleeding (oil) on a Reillo RDB2 Kerosene burner ?

Andy From Sligo

Hi there - numerous times I let the oil tank run low (not out of choice!) the cut-out comes on the burner and then I have to put some in the tank and then go through the tedious task of bleeding the air out through the burner and getting out all the air thats drawn in from the tank and down the oil line before the boiler will start. As in tedious I mean i could be out there and it could be a good 15 to 20 times I have to press the cut-out switch waiting around 15-20 seconds in between presses of the cut out switch just let any oil in the chamber to evaporate before i finally get her to fire up and then im OK after that. As I am pressing the cut out I have to open the pressure gauge allen bolt (note i said pressure gauge port and not the oil bleed port on the left hand side of the oil pump) and after a few seconds of pressing the cut out switch the oil (and bubbles of air) come out through where you attach the pressure gauge, its only after successful lighting of the boiler do I close up the allen bolt on the pressure gauge port.

Now why do you reckon it is that when I put some oil in the tank will no oil flow out of the proper port at the left hand side of the oil pump where you are supposed to bleed it, why is there no oil flowing when i undoo the valve with an allen key? - I am presuming the system works on the gravity principal, the oil tank is up a little bank and is higher than the outside boiler casing, so Im presuming that when you open the bleed screw on the left hand side of the oil pump that oil and air should pour out of that hole without even pressing the cut out switch and initiating the oil pump and all by gravity? no?

There cant be a blockage in the oil line pipe or anywhere because when the boiler is fired up its all working fine and not being starved of oil and I have checked the filter at the tank end and its all clean, so i wonder why I just cant seem to bleed the oil (and trapped air) through the bleed screw at the side of the oil pump as you are supposed to do, why does no oil and aire come out of that hole when I undo the plug with the allen key? Anyone know? - I reckon if I could get it to flow out as it should do I reckon next time the boiler runs out of oil it would be a lot easier to bleed if it did, all I would have to do is put a jar under the pump, open up the bleed screw with an allen key, wait for the oil to flow through freely and then start up the boiler with a coulple of presses of the cut-out/lock out switch.

jimf

how much oil do you put in tank when you run out

if you keep up this practice of letting oil run out all the time you will soon be on here asking how to change fuel pump on riello rdb me thinks

Billy Bunting

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

numerous times I let the oil tank run low (not out of choice!) the cut-out comes on the burner and then I have to put some in the tank

Just how low and how much you puttin in ?

shedweller

First you need to open the bleed screw on top of the inlet filter. Close when you get fuel. Then crack the flexi hose connection going into the pump. Close when you get fuel. Then crack the recessed allen screw on the pump housing and start the boiler. Close the screw when you get fuel. Job done.

Andy From Sligo

Billy Bunting wrote: »

Just how low and how much you puttin in ?

were on a budget at the moment and rather than getting a costly fill or half fill of oil from a truck we got 2x 20ltr containers and fill them up from a local petrol station and put them in the tank - I make sure it covers past the oil outlet at the bottom of the tank, for 15ltrs kerosene its 15euro Id say at the moment we are putting in 60euro a week, on oil and its not even the freezing cold weather but at least although its a pain filing it up like this in this way, doing it this way we are keeping tabs on what we are spending...

jimf

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

were on a budget at the moment and rather than getting a costly fill or half fill of oil from a truck we got 2x 20ltr containers and fill them up from a local petrol station and put them in the tank - I make sure it covers past the oil outlet at the bottom of the tank, for 15ltrs kerosene its 15euro Id say at the moment we are putting in 60euro a week, on oil and its not even the freezing cold weather but at least although its a pain filing it up like this in this way, doing it this way we are keeping tabs on what we are spending...

that's the ways things are at the moment andy

but I would think its the volume of oil in the tank that's causing you the problem

Andy From Sligo

shedweller wrote: »

First you need to open the bleed screw on top of the inlet filter. Close when you get fuel. Then crack the flexi hose connection going into the pump. Close when you get fuel. Then crack the recessed allen screw on the pump housing and start the boiler. Close the screw when you get fuel. Job done.

cheers for the advice, I've got a filter at the bottom of the tank, then it goes into oil line (copper covered with white pvc) then it goes straight into fire valve in the boiler housing (above the riello burner), have no inlet filter in the boiler housing though, and then flexible pipe from FV to burner ..

Billy Bunting

shedweller wrote: »

First you need to open the bleed screw on top of the inlet filter. Close when you get fuel. Then crack the flexi hose connection going into the pump. Close when you get fuel. Then crack the recessed allen screw on the pump housing and start the boiler. Close the screw when you get fuel. Job done.

Not that the op asked but your technique isn't exactly detailed and could possible see someone play with the pressure adjustment SCREW, there is no screw to open when bleeding a Riello RDB and cracking open everything you see may get it working but could also see you on the phone to a service Engineer.

Billy Bunting

I'm with Jim Andy, if you could afford to stick a couple of hundred in and use that as your float you have less hassle.

jimf

Billy Bunting wrote: »

I'm with Jim Andy, if you could afford to stick a couple of hundred in and use that as your float you have less hassle.

this is getting serious im starting to think like you I was going to suggest the same more or less only I was going to say 150 and keep topping up as you are at the moment you always have a bit of a buffer then and if you missed a week

Billy Bunting

jimf wrote: »

this is getting serious im starting to think like you

You ever fantasies about Speedo's

jimf

Billy Bunting wrote: »

You ever fantasies about Speedo's

ah ffs this is getting too heavy for me im off on a call out poor old dear has no heat

Wearb

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

were on a budget at the moment and rather than getting a costly fill or half fill of oil from a truck we got 2x 20ltr containers and fill them up from a local petrol station and put them in the tank - I make sure it covers past the oil outlet at the bottom of the tank, for 15ltrs kerosene its 15euro Id say at the moment we are putting in 60euro a week, on oil and its not even the freezing cold weather but at least although its a pain filing it up like this in this way, doing it this way we are keeping tabs on what we are spending...

Check to see if yor oil company has a budget plan. The way you are going is going to lead to much more expense in the long run. But I do understand that you do what you have to do. I am just suggesting other possible options. You have come to the right place for good advice.

North West

Hi Andy see attachment
Nw

Wearb

North West wrote: »

Hi Andy see attachment
Nw

NW. It would have been easier for everybody if you wrote your reply in plain text and only used your attachment for the diagram. That way we wouldn't have to open the attachment to see the gist of your reply.

Andy From Sligo

North West wrote: »

Hi Andy see attachment
Nw

Thanks NW - have emailed a place in Galway that will do a 150euro fill and asked how many litres I would get for 150euro

jimf

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

Thanks NW - have emailed a place in Galway that will do a 150euro fill and asked how many litres I would get for 150euro

probably somewhere around 170 litres based on limerick prices

whizbang

Next time you need to bleed this, Unscrew the coil off the solenoid valve, then there's 2 crosshead screws holding the assembly onto the pump.
remove one screw, loosen the other as much as possible, then just lift the valve to allow the air out. Its a much more effective way for low pressures.

Andy From Sligo

jimf wrote: »

probably somewhere around 170 litres based on limerick prices

thats about 89c a litre not too bad then I suppose, doing our way with the containers we are being charged 1euro a litre ....

jimf

whizbang wrote: »

Next time you need to bleed this, Unscrew the coil off the solenoid valve, then there's 2 crosshead screws holding the assembly onto the pump.
remove one screw, loosen the other as much as possible, then just lift the valve to allow the air out. Its a much more effective way for low pressures.

not on the riello rdb pump there on the riello 40 pump

shedweller

Billy Bunting wrote: »

Not that the op asked but your technique isn't exactly detailed and could possible see someone play with the pressure adjustment SCREW, there is no screw to open when bleeding a Riello RDB and cracking open everything you see may get it working but could also see you on the phone to a service Engineer.

I thought i was fairly specific actually! And the op did kind of ask. Well, more or less said he had a problem with airlocks. I dont, because i follow what i said above.
In fairness, there is a risk he could open the pressure adjustment screw but i was fairly specific by mentioning a recessed allen screw. I did open off my pressure adjustment screw before but the boiler kept working, albeit not as efficiently. Got a pressure gauge and sorted that out.
In any case, by following my procedure i have had zero dramas with my boiler after letting it run dry. And my pump hasnt died yet!

Billy Bunting

shedweller wrote: »

I thought i was fairly specific actually!

---

In fairness, there is a risk he could open the pressure adjustment screw

I beg to differ, you were no where near specific, and while i'm sure you meant well with your advice if giving this type of advice you need to be very specific because you do not know the capabilities of those doing the questioning and you could end up getting them into all sorts of problems, we are all here to try and help but a little thought into a reply is required.

shedweller

Billy Bunting wrote: »

I beg to differ, you were no where near specific, and while i'm sure you meant well with your advice if giving this type of advice you need to be very specific because you do not know the capabilities of those doing the questioning and you could end up getting them into all sorts of problems, we are all here to try and help but a little thought into a reply is required.

Yes. I was specific. Very specific. Any more would need a photograph. If the op was that incompetent then a professional should be called.
I meant well too. I'm all for a lad doing things himself and would go out of my way to help.
Sorry i bothered now. Boards me arse. Just phone a professional from the golden pages ffs.

Billy Bunting

shedweller wrote: »

Yes. I was specific. Very specific. Any more would need a photograph. If the op was that incompetent then a professional should be called.
.

That's just my point, you didn't know how competent the op was yet, imo, and yours according to your last reply, you were no way specific and the op could have messed with the pressure adjustment screw.

Andy From Sligo

Billy Bunting wrote: »

That's just my point, you didn't know how competent the op was yet, imo, and yours according to your last reply, you were no way specific and the op could have messed with the pressure adjustment screw.

Dont worry lads I know where the pressure adjustment screw is LOL and I have never and will never adjust it! - and me wife says im very competent not at just fixing boilers but other things as well LOL

Billy Bunting

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

i aint learnt the errors of my ways, it wont stop me fiddling with stuff and trying to save money either and i have got some knowledge

Hope your wife put a end to your fiddling with things

Andy From Sligo

Billy Bunting wrote: »

Hope your wife put a end to your fiddling with things

Nope, the only thing that will put an end to fiddling with things is if I have a fatal electrocution or get blown up fixing boilers or something like that! - its inbuilt im afraid!

.jacksparrow.

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

Nope, the only thing that will put an end to fiddling with things is if I have a fatal electrocution or get blown up fixing boilers or something like that! - its inbuilt im afraid!

Nice to see you would gamble with your life so easy.

But gambling with others is downright stupidity and selfish.

.jacksparrow.

shedweller wrote: »

Yes. I was specific. Very specific. Any more would need a photograph. If the op was that incompetent then a professional should be called.
I meant well too. I'm all for a lad doing things himself and would go out of my way to help.
Sorry i bothered now. Boards me arse. Just phone a professional from the golden pages ffs.

It's all great helping someone until an accident happens, and you get the finger pointed at you.

He told me to do it your honour.

shedweller

shedweller wrote: »

Yes. I was specific. Very specific. Any more would need a photograph. If the op was that incompetent then a professional should be called.
I meant well too. I'm all for a lad doing things himself and would go out of my way to help.
Sorry i bothered now. Boards me arse. Just phone a professional from the golden pages ffs.

Stupid people don't know their stupid;)

When you work in a environment that allows you to see the outcome of stupidity you become less trusting:eek: in the ability of those who are unschooled.

It would be wrong to say all those who are unschooled are incompetent but it's also wrong not to take in to account those who wish to meet their maker using the medium of stupidity.

DGOBS

Don't they say, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing!

Andy From Sligo

gord blimey lighten up peeps its christmas eve in a months time - LOL ...

Andy From Sligo

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

Thanks NW - have emailed a place in Galway that will do a 150euro fill and asked how many litres I would get for 150euro

Well i got price back in email from them. 135ltrs for €150 - €1.11 per ltr delivered, or we carry on collecting containers of oil for €1 per ltr.

might try asking around a few more places but most wont deliver under €250 worth of oil I dont think, I checked before.

Billy Bunting

The delivery price is built into the price per ltr so the more you buy the cheaper it is per ltr, you can't blame the oil company for a high price if your looking to buy a minimum amount.

Andy From Sligo

Oh well i started of this thread asking how to Bleed the oil at my RDB boiler end and its just ended up with people lecturing that you should never tinker with stuff that could kill you, or say anything that might cause another incompetant person to go fiddling. Not really that helpful really in then end, im still back to square one when it runs out again :-(

Andy From Sligo

Billy Bunting wrote: »

The delivery price is built into the price per ltr so the more you buy the cheaper it is per ltr, you can't blame the oil company for a high price if your looking to buy a minimum amount.

I can. They must be coming to this area anyway and deliverying to other people - so of course they could make it cheaper - just say its so and so "but we wont be in that area until ...."

jimf

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

Well i got price back in email from them. 135ltrs for €150 - €1.11 per ltr delivered, or we carry on collecting containers of oil for €1 per ltr.

might try asking around a few more places but most wont deliver under €250 worth of oil I dont think, I checked before.

if you know anybody in your area ordering oil ask them to pay for 150eu for you and to tell the driver its a Christmas present from them to you hed be a miserable ould so and so if he didn't give it to you at the same price

Billy Bunting

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

Oh well i started of this thread asking how to Bleed the oil at my RDB boiler end and its just ended up with people lecturing that you should never tinker with stuff that could kill you, or say anything that might cause another incompetant person to go fiddling. Not really that helpful really in then end, im still back to square one when it runs out again :-(

You Andy may not see it has helpful but people have a duty of care to others who may read the thread. We have tried to be helpful with your problem and the majority of replies on the topic agree that you would benefit from more oil in the tank, unfortunately we're not in a position to start a whip around, Christmas or not, you need to help yourself a little now.

DGOBS

In the UK communities would get together an organize 'buying days' where everyone clubbed together and bought maybe half or a full tanker of oil and would bargin with a distributer for a reduced price as all the deliveries where across one/two estates.

You can't blame professional people who come here from being weary about giving information that may result in an oil leak within a premise. It's called DUTY OF CARE. An oil leak within a premises can cause a lot of expensive damage, last I reported on was €50,000 of remdial works to the house (they had to demolish a rebuild a portion of the house!) So caution is advised.

And loosing the screws on the solenoid stem valve described in this post would not be a recommended action for bleeding in any case.

You would do well to listen to some of the advice given here from this likes of Billy, as these are seasoned professional who give up there time here free of charge to help people where possible.

Andy From Sligo

jimf wrote: »

if you know anybody in your area ordering oil ask them to pay for 150eu for you and to tell the driver its a Christmas present from them to you hed be a miserable ould so and so if he didn't give it to you at the same price

Thanks, might be worth a try that ....

Andy From Sligo

Billy Bunting wrote: »

You Andy may not see it has helpful but people have a duty of care to others who may read the thread. We have tried to be helpful with your problem and the majority of replies on the topic agree that you would benefit from more oil in the tank, unfortunately we're not in a position to start a whip around, Christmas or not, you need to help yourself a little now.

haha - dont worry mate im not looking for a hand out or charity. But theres got to be another sucessful quicker way to bleed it next time rather than fill the tank up with oil - its just a matter of finding how. Maybe if I loosen the nut on the inlet of the Fire valve a bit and put a bowl underneath to catch the oil and trapped air, maybe that might help. - I dunno whether I was dreaming or I thought some time I found a little device for oil boilers for bleeding the oil that stayed in situ - but as per normal now im looking for one i cant find it again!

DGOBS

It's called a BOILER BLEED but not sure if they are still on the market.

There you go: http://www.boilerbleed.com

Merry Christmas Andy.

Wearb

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

haha - dont worry mate im not looking for a hand out or charity. But theres got to be another sucessful quicker way to bleed it next time rather than fill the tank up with oil - its just a matter of finding how. Maybe if I loosen the nut on the inlet of the Fire valve a bit and put a bowl underneath to catch the oil and trapped air, maybe that might help. - I dunno whether I was dreaming or I thought some time I found a little device for oil boilers for bleeding the oil that stayed in situ - but as per normal now im looking for one i cant find it again!

There is a device called a Tiger Loop or De-Aerator. While it will do what you need, it is still not a good idea to keep letting your oil run out and pump run dry.

jimf

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

haha - dont worry mate im not looking for a hand out or charity. But theres got to be another sucessful quicker way to bleed it next time rather than fill the tank up with oil - its just a matter of finding how. Maybe if I loosen the nut on the inlet of the Fire valve a bit and put a bowl underneath to catch the oil and trapped air, maybe that might help. - I dunno whether I was dreaming or I thought some time I found a little device for oil boilers for bleeding the oil that stayed in situ - but as per normal now im looking for one i cant find it again!

they still wont solve your problem andy its only a tool less way of doing what your at already

Andy From Sligo

DGOBS wrote: »

It's called a BOILER BLEED but not sure if they are still on the market.

gary71 wrote: »

There you go: http://www.boilerbleed.com

Merry Christmas Andy.

absolutely brilliant now thats good advice and just the thing I was looking at before one time- good price too thanks for the heads up

Andy From Sligo

anyone used this place before? - Ive got stuff off them in the past and they are really good : http://www.heat-tech.ie - Tiger loop on that 70quid though

whizbang

I Wouldn't have any faith in that BoilerBleed unit.

they still wont solve your problem andy its only a tool less way of doing what your at already

At low levels, there just isn't enough pressure to push the oil through the pumps inner bits. So back to square one.

Raise you tank up !

Andy From Sligo

whizbang wrote: »

Raise you tank up !

theres an option i suppose - on that subject has the oil tank got to be dead level? i mean could the end of the tank opposite of the oil outlet tap be raised with another breezeblock or 2 so its on a slant and give it a bit of gravity im wondering?

Wearb

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

theres an option i suppose - on that subject has the oil tank got to be dead level? i mean could the end of the tank opposite of the oil outlet tap be raised with another breezeblock or 2 so its on a slant and give it a bit of gravity im wondering?

I think that this thread has been discussed to death, I am unfollowing it.

Andy From Sligo

Wearb wrote: »

I think that this thread has been discussed to death, I am unfollowing it.

your prerogative I suppose ... :rolleyes: