Prevent Boiler Air Locks

tedimc

I have a house with tenants in it at the moment and the oil boiler is giving them a bit of grief.

While I have other problems, is a TigerLoop a viable solution to prevent the boiler airlocking if the oil tank runs out? Or are there other solutions? And is it ok to put the TigerLoop in the Boiler housing?

There is just a single oil line to the outdoor boiler, with a Reillo burner.

I'm getting it serviced in the next few days so might ask to get one fitted if it would be of use. I presume it's bad for the boiler/oil pump if it gets regular airlocks? I'm thinking it may be a worthwhile investment as I have no control over filling the tank.

Dtp1979

tedimc wrote: »

I have a house with tenants in it at the moment and the oil boiler is giving them a bit of grief.

While I have other problems, is a TigerLoop a viable solution to prevent the boiler airlocking if the oil tank runs out? Or are there other solutions? And is it ok to put the TigerLoop in the Boiler housing?

There is just a single oil line to the outdoor boiler, with a Reillo burner.

I'm getting it serviced in the next few days so might ask to get one fitted if it would be of use. I presume it's bad for the boiler/oil pump if it gets regular airlocks? I'm thinking it may be a worthwhile investment as I have no control over filling the tank.

Yes get a tiger loop fitting. They shouldn't be fitted inside the case unless vented to outside

tedimc

Thanks Dtp1979

Any idea of what I should be paying for one? Are they definitely worth the hassle versus the potential problems of regularly running out of oil?

Dtp1979

tedimc wrote: »

Thanks Dtp1979

Any idea of what I should be paying for one? Are they definitely worth the hassle versus the potential problems of regularly running out of oil?

Fitted, with new hoses, you'd be looking at around 200. Try get it done with a proper service and you should get a discount

tedimc

Cheers - thanks for that.

DGOBS

If needed you can get a version that can be fitted inside (it has a metal body case rather than plastic and has a vent to pipe to outside)
but they are x3 the price of an external version.

Make sure the installer fits the pump bypass!

DGOBS

tedimc

Thanks guys.

I think I'll stick to the plastic one and just get it fitted externally. The side of the boiler housing is around 1 foot from the boundary fence, so it could probably be fitted on that side - out of the way and out of sight.

DGOBS

out of the way of footballs!!!

cruiser202006

It's about 95 incl. for an internal tiger loop although you will get looked at quere when you ask for one as not many places stock them nor know they exist

jca

DGOBS wrote: »

Jeepers that loop must be shifting some oil according to the diameter of those pipes!!! Lovely installation btw it looks like something done for your senior trades.

Dtp1979

jca wrote: »

Jeepers that loop must be shifting some oil according to the diameter of those pipes!!! Lovely installation btw it looks like something done for your senior trades.

? It's 10mm cooper

jsd1004

Dtp1979 wrote: »

? It's 10mm cooper

Why would you get this? If you ask most oil guys before you order they will blead the pump foc.

Wearb

jsd1004 wrote: »

Why would you get this? If you ask most oil guys before you order they will blead the pump foc.

Not around here anymore. There was a big insurance claim ( I think it's still ongoing) after a leak. Driver told me that it was the flexi that leaked, but whichever, the ungrateful home owners are going after compensation.
As soon a word spread, all companies around issued memos to drivers to not go near them.

tedimc

I see a lot of people still buying Oil by the tub and filling the tank that way themselves.

Even though the price has come down significantly.

Wearb

tedimc wrote: »

I see a lot of people still buying Oil by the tub and filling the tank that way themselves.

Even though the price has come down significantly.

As Enda found out, not everyone has been touched by the recovery.
Filling like that and regularly letting oil run out is a nightmare for landlords. The pump running dry so often greatly reduces it's life.
I always strap down the tank and suggest locking access to boiler. That way if it runs out, tennants have to pay to have it bled again, or at least call the landlord, who then is aware of it happening and can take action to minimise it in the future.

Seems tough, but what else can you do. Explain it to them. Give them a dipstick with a lowest level mark and it's up to them then.
Tiger loop gets around the bleeding problem, but not the dry running of the pump every time it runs out.

jca

Dtp1979 wrote: »

? It's 10mm cooper

It looks bigger I thought it was 1/2"

Dtp1979

jca wrote: »

It looks bigger I thought it was 1/2"

Unless its industrial it's 10mm

Dtp1979

jsd1004 wrote: »

Why would you get this? If you ask most oil guys before you order they will blead the pump foc.

As wearb said, that dosent always happen and won't in future. Plus, I've a lot of burners that are an absolute nightmare to bleed. One of which got a tiger loop fitted last week thank god

jimf

www.farmacy.co.uk/products/1012-eprizero-applicator

get yourself 1 of these dtp you will nearly be looking forward to bleeding the boiler

Dtp1979

jimf wrote: »

www.farmacy.co.uk/products/1012-eprizero-applicator

get yourself 1 of these dtp you will nearly be looking forward to bleeding the boiler

Link not working Jim

jimf

Dtp1979 wrote: »

Link not working Jim

look up eprizero applicator

Dtp1979

jimf wrote: »

look up eprizero applicator

I did. What is it? Looks like a fancy silicon gun

Wearb

Drenching gun for livestock. Ffing cowboy.

Dtp1979

Wearb wrote: »

Drenching gun for livestock. Ffing cowboy.

How does it help airlocks? Do it suck the kero out?

jimf

Dtp1979 wrote: »

How does it help airlocks? Do it suck the kero out?

that's exactly what it does Declan its a small hand held vacuum pump it comes complete with a 1m clear hose which I have adapted with the swivel end from a riello hose

it is the best bit of kit I have in the van

once held in the upright position it vents the air and then you can see the kero coming through

I haven't been using it very long but so far im very impressed had to change a hose on a fb enviromax during the week its a pain usually to get the oil flowing as the tank is borderline low

jimf

Wearb wrote: »

Drenching gun for livestock. Ffing cowboy.

that's exactly what it is wearb

you should get 1 and drench the wexford hurlers in holy water the next time ye play limerick :D:D

Dtp1979

jimf wrote: »

that's exactly what it does Declan its a small hand held vacuum pump it comes complete with a 1m clear hose which I have adapted with the swivel end from a riello hose

it is the best bit of kit I have in the van

once held in the upright position it vents the air and then you can see the kero coming through

I haven't been using it very long but so far im very impressed had to change a hose on a fb enviromax during the week its a pain usually to get the oil flowing as the tank is borderline low

I have a similar Device alright. Does yours blow air into the line?

jimf

Dtp1979 wrote: »

I have a similar Device alright. Does yours blow air into the line?

no its just a vacuum while the lever is being activated its venting

Wearb

jimf wrote: »

that's exactly what it is wearb

you should get 1 and drench the wexford hurlers in holy water the next time ye play limerick :D:D

Often used one Jim. Never for oil though. I never thought to use one like that. Does the oil not harden the seals?

Will need some extra strong holy water I'm afraid Jim. We've tried everything. Bringing them to Knock next week, to see if that helps .

Wearb

I used to have an extractor for taking out engine oil through the dipstick. It was ideal for air locked pipes. I never had much success using it to remove engine oil. I think the suction hose used to collapse down in the warm oil. I bought a length of thin copper gas pipe to try, but never used it. Accident with angle grinder sparks put an end to extractor .

jimf

Wearb wrote: »

Often used one Jim. Never for oil though. I never thought to use one like that. Does the oil not harden the seals?

Will need some extra strong holy water I'm afraid Jim. We've tried everything. Bringing them to Knock next week, to see if that helps .

I have only used it 4 times so far wearb so the jury is still out re the seals from what I can see the only part that comes in contact with the oil is a rubber o ring replaceable if necc id say and a fibre scraper that it works without as its only function that I can see is to ensure all dosage is distributed

but I just make sure I run hot sudsy water through it when I come home to wash it out the fact its not sitting in kerosene hopefully means it will last

Dtp1979

jimf wrote: »

I have only used it 4 times so far wearb so the jury is still out re the seals from what I can see the only part that comes in contact with the oil is a rubber o ring replaceable if necc id say and a fibre scraper that it works without as its only function that I can see is to ensure all dosage is distributed

but I just make sure I run hot sudsy water through it when I come home to wash it out the fact its not sitting in kerosene hopefully means it will last

The one I have is like a hand pump that sucks kero too. It's designed for oil. But even that dosent get me out of bother the odd time.

jimf

Dtp1979 wrote: »

The one I have is like a hand pump that sucks kero too. It's designed for oil. But even that dosent get me out of bother the odd time.

ya ive 1 of those as well I think its a gok

sometimes you just need to stick the compressor on the feckers

Wearb

As you probably know, blowing (pumping) back up the pipe before suction often helps with stubborn airlocks.

Wearb

I have often thought of getting this one. Any of you tried it?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00FAO1S9I/ref=mp_s_a_1_17?qid=1457794113&sr=8-17&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=vacuum+hand+pump

Edit. It has poor reviews on Amazon.

Will have to use my smoke gun ;(

Dtp1979

Wearb wrote: »

I have often thought of getting this one. Any of you tried it?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00FAO1S9I/ref=mp_s_a_1_17?qid=1457794113&sr=8-17&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=vacuum+hand+pump

Edit. It has poor reviews on Amazon.

Will have to use my smoke gun ;(

Ye mine is something similar. It doesn't push air into the line. It sucks through one and dumps through the other. I have a Glaco gun. Saves me carrying s compressor around