Can't get oil boiler to fire up

budgemook

Hi,

My oil ran out yesterday - I got a delivery this morning but I am not able to get the boiler to fire up. It starts for a few seconds and cuts out.

I have been trying to bleed it by opening this guy in the picture and hitting the red reset button but no dice - I've tried nearly 20 times now.

One thing I noticed was the chamber beside the tank was half empty and the screw valve was closed. I opened it and the chamber filled up but I closed it again because I am not sure. Maybe the delivery guy closed it when he was filling the tank and forgot to open it? Should I open it?

niallb

That tap will need to be open. If the filter cup isn't full of oil, neither is the pipe to your boiler.

budgemook

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121639183#Comment_121639183

Thanks - so I should keep that tap open and then try bleeding / resetting the burner it a few more times?

niallb

Yes.

Depnding on how long the pipe line to your boiler is it may take a while bleeding it.

Don't reset the burner again until you're getting a flow out the bleed valve.

When it starts to come it will have frothy bubbles in it until the air is cleared, so have a cup or tray handy to catch the drops until it runs clear.

budgemook

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121639330#Comment_121639330

Thanks - it seems to be back up and running again. Do they normally turn off that tap when delivering oil? Seems odd he forgot to open it up again.

T-Maxx

I've never had a delivery guy do anything else but fill the tank. That valve needn't be fully open by the way. My guess is it was just an airlock that you managed to eventually get out.

budgemook

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121639483#Comment_121639483

It was closed tight I think, and the filter cup was 1/3 full. How much should it be open? Just a little? I have it fully open at the minute.

listermint

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121639633#Comment_121639633

Fully open

listermint

My guess is some drivers close the tap when filling old tanks to prevent gunk from the bottom being stirred up and blocking the tap or pipe. And then open it when fill is finished. Not a terrible practice.