Speedy Jim wrote:

Steve wrote:

Pete C. wrote:


The pump screen is accessed under the pump end cover on most pumps,
should be like 4-8 screws holding the cover on I think.

Tightening the fittings may not always seal them and in some cases can
make leaks worse. Cutting back, re flaring and replacing fittings is
more reliable.

Do you have a single pipe fuel feed and if so is it gravity or suction?
It it's a gravity feed from the tank and stays low all the way to the
burner you usually don't get air in the line problems unless perhaps you
have such an accumulation of sludge in the tank that it's blocking the
outlet. If you take the filter off and put a pan under it do you get a
strong fuel flow if you open the valve?

If you have a suction setup (drawing from the top of the tank) that is
more likely to have airlock problems from the slightest leak at a
fitting. Also consider deteriorated gaskets at the pump of filter as
possible air inlet sources.

Pete C.


Thanks Pete!
I see the 4 cap screws on the end of the pump housing. I assume
removing those should allow the cap to be removed and allow accessing
the screen. Right now after just having reprimed the thing since
yesterday, the furnace is doing ok but if it goes out again that will
be the first thing I will do.

I have a single pipe fuel feed which I think must be suction? But the
line comes out the BOTTOM of the tank and goes through the fuel filter
and is routed up through the upper floor joists over to the furnace and
then down to the pump. I have no leaks anywhere that I can see in
between. If there's a leak wouldn't it be noticed as a fuel drip if
the furnace is not running?

Also, if it goes out again I will remove the fuel tank filter and drain
some out and see if there is any sludge. I put a new filter on last
winter when I first started having the trouble and I thought I remember
doing that at that time.

I'll also check for bad gaskets.

Steve


Before you yank the pump cover off, order the screen and gasket kit
for that pump model. You won't be able to save the old gasket and
risk having no heat without a new one.

You're saying that the tank is one floor *below* the burner?
And it's a one-pipe system? Although that setup will work
under the best of conditions, it is very prone to failure
when there is the tiniest of vacuum leaks *anywhere* in the
suction line. That could be the packing on a stop valve,
the cover gasket on the filter, a flare fitting and on and on.

Go change the screen, but if you still have trouble either
investigate vacuum leaks or change over to a 2-pipe system.

Jim

It sounds like he said the line comes from the bottom of the tank, goes
up to ceiling level and then back down to floor level where the burner
is.

As for the leak thing, it's quite possible to have a leak that lets air
in under suction conditions and does not leak any fuel outward when the
pump is inactive and the line is at a pretty neutral pressure.

Pete C.