Question about old heating oil tank

Posted by George on November 1, 2008, 9:19 am

Logic316 wrote:

> My heating oil tank is pretty old, and is located in my basement. I have no
> idea how much rust might be inside it. Is there any way to gauge it's
> structural integrity and approximate remaining lifespan? And should it
> spring a leak one day, is there any trick for quickly patching an oil leak
> just until a new tank can be installed? They say that with leaky automobile
> gas tanks, you can rub a bar of soap into the hole and it would hold for a
> while, would that work?
>
> - Logic316
>
>
> "Science is not a sacred cow. Science is a horse. Don't worship it. Feed
> it."
>
>

It is pretty difficult to do a meaningful inspection of an oil tank that
is filled or partially filled. Thats why some insurers demand that old
tanks be replaced. The leak could vary from lots of dripping to a
blowout. Blowouts usually happen when the tank is being filled.

Posted by on November 2, 2008, 1:47 am

wrote:

>Logic316 wrote:

>> My heating oil tank is pretty old, and is located in my basement. I have no
>> idea how much rust might be inside it. Is there any way to gauge it's
>> structural integrity and approximate remaining lifespan? And should it
>> spring a leak one day, is there any trick for quickly patching an oil leak
>> just until a new tank can be installed? They say that with leaky automobile
>> gas tanks, you can rub a bar of soap into the hole and it would hold for a
>> while, would that work?
>>
>> - Logic316
>>
>>
>> "Science is not a sacred cow. Science is a horse. Don't worship it. Feed
>> it."
>>
>>

>It is pretty difficult to do a meaningful inspection of an oil tank that
>is filled or partially filled. Thats why some insurers demand that old
>tanks be replaced. The leak could vary from lots of dripping to a
>blowout. Blowouts usually happen when the tank is being filled.

If thereis ANY question, drain and replace the tank. Any idea how long
it takes to get the smell of furnace oil out of a basement?????

Posted by Claude Hopper on November 1, 2008, 9:22 am

Logic316 wrote:

Lots of rust would be clogging your filter all the time. Ask the burner
service man how the filter looks.

--
Claude Hopper :)

? ? ¥

Posted by Bubba on November 1, 2008, 10:37 am

On Fri, 31 Oct 2008 23:48:52 -0400, "Logic316"

>My heating oil tank is pretty old, and is located in my basement. I have no
>idea how much rust might be inside it. Is there any way to gauge it's
>structural integrity and approximate remaining lifespan? And should it
>spring a leak one day, is there any trick for quickly patching an oil leak
>just until a new tank can be installed? They say that with leaky automobile
>gas tanks, you can rub a bar of soap into the hole and it would hold for a
>while, would that work?
>- Logic316
>"Science is not a sacred cow. Science is a horse. Don't worship it. Feed
>it."

You continue to amaze me with your cheapness and stupidity.
Its obvious your tank is old and an accident waiting to happen.
Why not do it now before you tank leaks/busts/ruptures? You obviously
will do it yourself since you seem to know everything. How hard is it
to go buy a tank with the screw on legs, get a buddy and a dolly and a
12 pack and put a new one in place? Make sure you put a bottom drain
with shut-off to periodically drain off the bottom contents to remove
water and sediment. Put the whole tank in a pan. Convert it to a two
pipe change your filter and nozzle and you are good to go.
With the excess oil you burn being a tightass tuning your own boiler,
surely you wont mind spending a few hundred bucks to change out your
tank.
Bubba

Posted by Logic316 on November 1, 2008, 4:54 pm

> On Fri, 31 Oct 2008 23:48:52 -0400, "Logic316"

> You continue to amaze me with your cheapness and stupidity.
> Its obvious your tank is old and an accident waiting to happen.
> Why not do it now before you tank leaks/busts/ruptures? You obviously
> will do it yourself since you seem to know everything. How hard is it
> to go buy a tank with the screw on legs, get a buddy and a dolly and a
> 12 pack and put a new one in place? Make sure you put a bottom drain
> with shut-off to periodically drain off the bottom contents to remove
> water and sediment. Put the whole tank in a pan. Convert it to a two
> pipe change your filter and nozzle and you are good to go.
> With the excess oil you burn being a tightass tuning your own boiler,
> surely you wont mind spending a few hundred bucks to change out your
> tank.
> Bubba

I know I'm feeding a troll here, but what if somebody's in a situation where
he's planning to sell the house soon anyway?
Didn't think of that, did you?

- Logic316

Expert:(n) from EX as in 'has been' and SPURT, 'a little drip under
pressure'.

Page 2 of 12 < 1 2 3 > last >>

Similar Threads	Posted
heating system question	April 6, 2007, 2:55 pm
Question for limit switch-heating	November 9, 2008, 8:33 pm
question regarding circulating pump for hot water heating	November 7, 2007, 12:32 pm
Oil tank heater	May 5, 2007, 4:44 am
Do I need an expansion tank?	July 19, 2007, 11:35 pm
Small 'Alternative' Expansion Tank?	October 17, 2007, 10:57 pm
install of Smart DHW tank to IBC boiler help	December 5, 2008, 11:57 pm
Insulating cold water pipes & supply tank to prevent condensation	June 7, 2007, 8:18 am
AC/HEating Questions	July 2, 2006, 9:31 am
Oil vs gas water heating	July 12, 2006, 2:18 pm

Question about old heating oil tank - Page 2