Heating oil tank “sweating oil”?

[HomerJay99]

We have an old single-skinned tank that’s working just fine with no leaks but every now and then, when the wind is in the wrong direction, you’ll get a strong whiff of heating oil coming from it. We’ve had the tank inspected and checked for leaks a couple of times but on each occasion, both engineers have said that there isn’t a leak but it’s pretty common to get some “oil sweat” from these old single-skinned tanks. I’ve never heard of this before but I figure that if the tank needed replacing, both engineers would have told me!
Have you guys any thoughts on this issue?

 

[kidgreen61]

Simple, either it's leaking, or it isn't, I would suggest there might be a weeping joint elsewhere which may produce an odour.

 

[Exedon]

Are you sure the smell is not coming from the tank vent?
Kerosene readily evaporates!

 

[HomerJay99]

Ooh, actually, thats very good point and no one’s suggested that including the heating engineers! How could I find out?

 

[lostinthelight]

Ooh, actually, thats very good point and no one’s suggested that including the heating engineers! How could I find out?

Stick your nose by it.....

 

[lostinthelight]

I stuck my gas detector under the breather on our tank today