OIL - Atkinson Tankmaster blocked

[Cbar]

Afternoon All,

New here so be kind!

We’ve got an Oil boiler for our central heating and hot water and ran out of oil 4 days ago (I know, I know, already had it in the ear from the missus who is currently in labour!).

The long and short of it is that having topped the tank up and attempted to bleed the burner pump, no oil or air was coming through.

Undone the fitting before the fire valve outside, and there is no oil in the line.

Having inspected the tank, I have seen we have a very old and battered Atkinson Tankmaster fitted. The filter has probably never been changed, as with everything in this house it seems bodged and reused within an inch of it’s life.

I’ve pretty heavily researched the valve and think I’ve got my head around how it works. I wanted to check the filter on it and the pipework around it to try and establish if any oil was coming through the valve or if the block is between the Atkinson valve and the fire valve.

On further inspection and attempts to turn the hand wheel. It spins freely in both directions and doesn’t seem to pull the spindle in or out. When I press the spindle it moves in about half a centimetre indicating that the plunger is shut.

Obviously we didn’t have this problem before (that I’m aware of) as our oil was flowing freely.

Any ideas for the best way to rectify it or next steps. Should have the plumber coming back at some point but with an imminent newborn on top of Christmas this could be tricky.

TL;DR: Atkinson Tankmaster wheel spinning freely, spindle is out all the way and oil line is blocked somewhere.

Thanks again! C

 

[jono_h]

If you’re sure the valve is shut, you can take off the bowl on the bottom & check the filter. You might get away with giving it a quick scrub over with an old toothbrush to get you going temporarily.

 

[Stuart981]

Is the tank outlet higher or lower than the inlet to the pump.

 

[oilhead]

If the wheel spins freely, then the thermal joint has broken. The nut should still be on the spindle, and can be turned with a spanner to close the valve. The valve is closed when there is no play in the spindle. You can then remove the filter bowl.

 

[Cbar]

Is the tank outlet higher or lower than the inlet to the pump.

I would imagine it’s ever so slightly higher but that would be a complete guess because the run is about 10 metres long.

If the wheel spins freely, then the thermal joint has broken. The nut should still be on the spindle, and can be turned with a spanner to close the valve. The valve is closed when there is no play in the spindle. You can then remove the filter bowl.

Would you be able to tell this from an image? I have attached one to this response.

If you’re sure the valve is shut, you can take off the bowl on the bottom & check the filter. You might get away with giving it a quick scrub over with an old toothbrush to get you going temporarily.

I’m not certain it is. That’s the problem. Didn’t want to take it off if it isn’t actually a bit open.

 

[oilhead]

Remove the circlip from the wheel, and if it spins freely it should pull off easily. If it is still tight, then lever it away. If it spins freely and does not operate the valve, you need a new one any way. With the wheel off, you ill see the nut on the valve stem. Give it a soaking an turn it clockwise with a spanner and the valve will close. you will be unable to push the shaft in. To test if it is closed before removing the filter, unscrew the sight tube from the valve and pull the 'to read' plunger. If oil comes through, then the valve is still open. Just make sure the small hole is clear before pulling the knob so that you can be sure that it is not a blocked hole.

 

[Cbar]

Remove the circlip from the wheel, and if it spins freely it should pull off easily. If it is still tight, then lever it away. If it spins freely and does not operate the valve, you need a new one any way. With the wheel off, you ill see the nut on the valve stem. Give it a soaking a turn it clockwise with a spanner and the valve will close. you will be unable to push the shaft in. To test if it is closed before removing the filter, unscrew the sight tube from the valve and pull the 'to read' plunger. If oil comes through, then the valve is still open. Just make sure the small hole is clear before pulling the knob so that you can be sure that it is not a blocked hole.

Legend. Thanks so much for this.

When you say give it a soaking I’m assuming you mean WD40?

 

[ChrisJP]

WD40 is not actually very good at freeing off rusted items as all it is a water displacement material. You want to use something actually labelled as a penetrating oil.