Riello Oil Burner Oil Supply Issue

[RBZ5416]

Trying to fire a boiler that's been unused for a year. Pump has the usual hex extension with allen head bleed screw. The bleed process seemed to go OK but took a lot of attempts as the pump only seems to run for 5 seconds before locking out. But I eventually got a decent stream of fuel & the boiler ran for a few minutes before it locked out again. Trying to bleed again there is very little air & no fuel, so I guess I either have a major air lock or a blockage.

There is a filter at the tank outlet (pic attached hopefully) but unsure how this opens? There appears to be a missing bolt on top which further reading suggests may be for bleeding the filter after maintenance. There is only a gate valve on the tank outlet to the filter, nothing the other side.

Any advice on how best to proceed please? Is it feasible to try to draw fuel through the pump with the bleed screw removed?

 

[AlanE]

Bottom part simply unscrews.

Turn off gate valve, unscrew filter casing, slowly turn on gate valve with receptical underneath to see if there is a flow from the tank to start with.

You will need a replacement gasket and filter when reassembling. Might be easier, and just as cheap, to replace entire filter.

 

[RBZ5416]

Thanks.

Can you please ID the filter &/or recommend a replacement? Is the missing screw significant?

Edit
Looks like a W4 WASP & the "missing" screw is absent on a new one!

 

[AlanE]

No the bowl simply screws under the top tiece. No missing screw the bolt there is to bleed air from filter unit.

Replacement bowl, filter and gasket here https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Replacem...553158?hash=item43e426be46:g:gtAAAOSwoQ1TluWT

Complete unit for a little more BUT you need to check size of inlet & outlet tappings as there is two sizes 1/4" and 3/8" available (Think they are the sizes from memory).

 

[AlanE]

You need to run some oil into a glass jar and let it settle to see if there is any water in it. If there is you will never get boiler to run.

 

[RBZ5416]

Thanks again, appreciated. I'll order the parts & have a go next time I visit the property.

Will update.

 

[RBZ5416]

So, as no one like a thread with no conclusion, here's the end to this one.

Removed the filter bowl (which was full of crud) turned on the gate valve & nothing. Turns out the tank is empty! It's an old metal job that from rough calcs is around 900l. There's a clear viewing tube rising after the gate valve which shows the tank level. This was showing approx half full. Then I discovered the push button that actually allows flow in/out of the tube. Doh!

Fuel ordered...

 

[lostinthelight]

I hope that thread tape is compatable with heating oil as plumbing ptfe isn't.

 

[RBZ5416]

that thread tape

 

[lostinthelight]

 

[RBZ5416]

Ah right. Well it's been there around 20 years & hasn't failed yet...

 

[lostinthelight]

Ah right. Well it's been there around 20 years & hasn't failed yet...

Thats ok then, I mistakenly though you may have dismantled it to blow out the line or something.

 

[oilboffin]

When you turn up to a breakdown look in the tank and announce to the household that you've solved the problem when they ask you tell em theyre out of oil their face says it all and you say you'd be a super engineer if you could get em to run on fresh air.Bob