Heating system left off for three years.

Melanoma

I was wondering, I have a dual fuel system but I left the oil (kerosene) off for three years. I used the range and burnt coal in it which heated the radiators. I'm thinking of buying oil again as its got cheaper and seems to be staying that way.

In any case, does anyone know if it is likely to be broken and in need of repair or if such a long shut down should be okay.

I was mostly not living at home so it made no sense to leave a tank with oil in it and I found letting it on for a few minutes in the night was making no difference to house temperature but was costing a lot.

Robbie.G

Melanoma wrote: »

I was wondering, I have a dual fuel system but I left the oil (kerosene) off for three years. I used the range and burnt coal in it which heated the radiators. I'm thinking of buying oil again as its got cheaper and seems to be staying that way.

In any case, does anyone know if it is likely to be broken and in need of repair or if such a long shut down should be okay.

I was mostly not living at home so it made no sense to leave a tank with oil in it and I found letting it on for a few minutes in the night was making no difference to house temperature but was costing a lot.

With it been off for so long best bet would be to get a proper boiler service and also get a system check done at same time.
If you post your location someone here might be able to help you out

Melanoma

Thanks Robbie,

I'll ask around the neighbours and get someone down. I need to add two blocks to the tank plinth also cause it is a bit low. Reckon I can do that as the tank is empty first.

I was like forget oil there three years ago and the coal was great but its great being able to set a timer instead of spending a few hours in the cold.

I was loosing money on electric heaters really, in any event fingers crossed it will work again.

agusta

Your oil tank should be sitting on lentils or your tank could split when full.Also the flexible oil hose needs to be changed on your burner during the service.The oil tank should also be checked for traces of water contamination

Melanoma

agusta wrote: »

Your oil tank should be sitting on lentils or your tank could split when full.Also the flexible oil hose needs to be changed on your burner during the service.The oil tank should also be checked for traces of water contamination

I did not think of the risk of condensation creating water. Its water tight but not airtight, so yea that is a credible risk.

As I will be rising the tank I could cut the pipe as it needs to be extended and put in some kerosene swirl it about and dump the contents (I don't mean on the lawn).

Do you think that'd do or would there then be water in the pipe? Yea there might so I guess I'll get it bled and make sure a fair bit is let to flush it out.

Thanks

quietsailor

Melanoma wrote: »

I did not think of the risk of condensation creating water. Its water tight but not airtight, so yea that is a credible risk.

As I will be rising the tank I could cut the pipe as it needs to be extended and put in some kerosene swirl it about and dump the contents (I don't mean on the lawn).

Do you think that'd do or would there then be water in the pipe? Yea there might so I guess I'll get it bled and make sure a fair bit is let to flush it out.

Thanks

You can clean the tank the way you describe and when your finished pipe in the new pipework. Then fill the tank and allow kerosene to flow through to the end of the pipework at the boiler end. It will then flush the pipework through and you can dump this oil as waste.

If you're moving/rearranging the tank do you know that in the ideal situation the outlet is at the front and the front is raised 25mm (ish ) above the rear so that sediment in the oil will float to the rear of the tank and settle there.

It's probably a good idea to get the filters on the pipeline cleaned or replaced as well

agusta

Melanoma wrote: »

I did not think of the risk of condensation creating water. Its water tight but not airtight, so yea that is a credible risk.

As I will be rising the tank I could cut the pipe as it needs to be extended and put in some kerosene swirl it about and dump the contents (I don't mean on the lawn).

Do you think that'd do or would there then be water in the pipe? Yea there might so I guess I'll get it bled and make sure a fair bit is let to flush it out.

Thanks

Yes,you are correct,you can get condesation creating water.When the tank is cleaned,and refitted on blocks an lentils,fit a new oil filter.,if the boiler is not far away,i would fit a new oil line rather than have a extra fitting on the line.You should ensure the line is cleaned and more important the fuel flter in the pump on the burner is cleaned during the service

Melanoma

agusta wrote: »

Yes,you are correct,you can get condesation creating water.When the tank is cleaned,and refitted on blocks an lentils,fit a new oil filter.,if the boiler is not far away,i would fit a new oil line rather than have a extra fitting on the line.You should ensure the line is cleaned and more important the fuel flter in the pump on the burner is cleaned during the service

Yea that makes a lot of sense. The blocks are actually all the way along the points of contact the tank has if it was left down say on a concrete path so I'll be okay without lentils but yea defo messing around with extra bits would be asking for trouble. A new pipe would be the best job. There is a guy in the village I live in who does that full time so I'll get him in.