Ran out of oil twice. Still 60 gallons in tank.

[Mark42]

This is the second time my 275 gallon oil tank (in basement) has run out. But there is still about 60 gallons in the tank. Delivery guy said that the copper pipes in the tank don't go deep enough. There is a threaded fitting on the top of the tank with two copper lines attached to it with compression fittings. I want to unscrew the compression fittings, remove the lines and unscrew the fitting from the top of the tank to see what the length of the pickup and return lines are inside the tank. What will I find inside the tank? How close to the bottom of the tank should the pickup line go? How easy is it to put in longer lines?<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Mark

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Ran out of oil twice. Still 60 gallons in tank.

I've never seen that sort of plumbing, so I really can't give you any advice on it. At least I couldn't give you helpful advice. <br />But my tank is handy to my computer, and has a side tap at the bottom. The bottom of the tap pipe is exactly 2" above the bottom of the tank.<br /><br />Are you sure you have a 275 gallon tank and not a 240 gallon? I mean, are you sure there's still lots left in the tank?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Ran out of oil twice. Still 60 gallons in tank.

Go for it Mark... It's put together just as Simlpily as it Looks........<br /><br />You don't want the pickup tube Right on the bottom, a couple inches will leave a sump for condensation,+ such.........<br /><br />You Might have to cut the lines at the top,+ reinstall then using unions... the lines are probably continuous.......<br /><br />If, by chance, your tank has a bottom fitting, You'd obviously need the tank Empty to rig it using that.....<br />The advantage to the bottom draw is, It's easier to draw,+ maintain the siphon feed to the furnace oil pump...........

 

[Mark42]

Re: Ran out of oil twice. Still 60 gallons in tank.

Paul, Yep,it's a 275 gal. The oil company does a good job of determining the degree days and how much oil I use, they just expect that I can get about 250 gallons out of the tank, not 212. Had this discussion with them a few years ago and they said they would update their database to reflect a smaller tank size. Guess they lost the info. The oil delivery guy said I was on his schedule for a normal delivery the next day. <br /><br />Bondo, Thanks for the insight. I will probably wait until Saturday to take it apart while the parts stores are open. I think there are two unions within a foot or two of the top of the tank. Hopefully they will allow me to remove the top fitting (about 2.5 to 3.0" wide pipe threaded plug with fittings for the 1/2" copper) without having to cut and patch more copper into the lines. <br /><br />This is a good example of a bad installer. When first installed I called and complainded about a noisy tank and pump. They never figured out what was wrong. A year later I had had it with the noise and grabbed two crescent wrenches and tightened every compression fitting on the lines (about 20ft total) and bingo. No more noise. It had been sucking air in a loose fitting. That little bit of air makes a racket in the oil pump and a loud reverberation in the oil tank.<br /><br />Now I know the siphon tube is too short. About 60 gallons too short. Morons and idiots abound in the trades. It is like very few tradesmen take pride in what they do.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Ran out of oil twice. Still 60 gallons in tank.

Hopefully they will allow me to remove the top fitting (about 2.5 to 3.0" wide pipe threaded plug with fittings for the 1/2" copper) without having to cut and patch more copper into the lines. <br />

Ayuh,........<br />Disconnect those fittings that you can see,+ Then turn out the 2" pipe fitting with the stub ends still attached.....<br />You'll need 1 pc. of tubing to replace the 1 that's Too Short......<br />The other 1 doesn't matter, it's just a return.........Or vent........<br />The brass fitting in the 2" pipe fitting is a "Pass-thru" compression fitting...... Just slide the new longer tubing down to depth,+ snug it up........<br />If you've got the replacement tubing,+ furrels,... It shouldn't be more than a 15 minute repair.............<br /><br />Good Luck......