Home > categories > Machinery & Equipment > Boilers > can turning on a boiler after an oil tank replacement cause the relief valve to blow, or is it just a coincide?
Question:

can turning on a boiler after an oil tank replacement cause the relief valve to blow, or is it just a coincide?

Could there be a cause and effect, or is it just a coincidence?

Answer:

There is no connection between the oil storage tank and the boiler pressure-relief valve under most reasonable scenarios. The only possible direct cause I might envision - and this is a stretch - would be if the oil in the tank was substantially contaminated with a much more volatile material such as gasoline or ethanol, even methanol, and so is burning much hotter than it should. This is not entirely impossible, fluids get combined and mis-combined far too often for it to be a joke. So, do check your fuel-oil for contaminants, funny smells or any unusual smells. Check for any reports in your area of others having this problem. And check with your supplier if you have a regular contract. If you purchase from a COD guy, you could be getting anything at all in your tank what with the price of fuel - and that would worry me! Otherwise, get your boiler serviced - oil-burners should be serviced and cleaned at the beginning of each season even it it seems to be running fine. This will maintain peak efficiency (and at nearly $4/gallon, this is really important) as well as make sure there are no defects or dangers. Good luck with it!

Share to: