Rajan Wilcox
Oil furnaces are used by many people across the country, providing hot water and warm air. However, they require regular maintenance to last longer and cause fewer problems. While there are few quick fixes for these types of furnaces, one common issue is air in the fuel lines, which can be resolved by bleeding the furnace. This involves purging air from the oil line and catching the oil in a container. While bleeding the furnace is simple, it is important to be cautious as you are dealing with equipment that gets extremely hot and is connected to electricity. If you are unsure about what to do, it is best to contact a professional.
How to Burp Fuel Lines on an Oil Furnace
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to Burp Fuel Lines | When the furnace doesn't start after refilling the fuel tank. |
| Before Starting | Turn off the furnace and gas using the shut-off valve. |
| Tools Required | A 3/8" open-end wrench, a small container to catch the oil, and a small piece of 1/4" OD rubber tubing. |
| Steps | 1. Locate the bleed screw/fitting on the fuel pump/oil pump. 2. Position the container to catch the oil directly below the bleed screw/fitting. 3. Loosen the bleed screw/fitting slightly. 4. Turn on the furnace. 5. Unscrew the bleed screw/fitting until oil begins to flow out. 6. Tighten the screw once the air stops sputtering out and fuel pours out steadily. |
| Notes | 1. The bleed screw/fitting is usually a small nipple-like screw or a hex nut with a small hose barb protruding. 2. Be careful not to tighten the screw too much. 3. If the furnace doesn't restart, check for air in the line or a debris blockage in the fuel line. 4. If you are uncomfortable with the process, call a professional for help. |
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What You'll Learn
When to burp your fuel lines
Burping your fuel lines, also known as bleeding, is the process of getting the air out of your fuel lines after your tank has run empty. You should burp your fuel lines when your furnace won't start after refilling your oil tank. This could be because you are running low on fuel or because there is air in the fuel line.
Before burping your fuel lines, ensure that your tank is full. If your tank is full and your furnace still won't start, try hitting the reset button. If your furnace still won't start, you should then turn off the furnace and locate the bleed screw or bleeder valve. The bleed screw is usually a small nipple-like screw near the fuel pump where the fuel line comes in. The bleeder valve is usually a metal hex nut or a rubber plug near the fuel pump. It may be small and hard to locate, so take your time.
Once you have located the bleed screw or bleeder valve, you can then proceed to burp your fuel lines. Position a bucket or container underneath the valve to catch the oil that will bleed out. Loosen the screw or valve slightly, then tighten it again to prevent oil from dripping out. Turn on the furnace and unscrew the valve or screw until oil begins to flow out. Let the oil drain into the bucket until a solid stream of oil comes out. Once the air is out of the lines, tighten the screw and turn off the furnace.
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Finding the bleed screw
The bleed screw is typically located where the fuel line connects to the burner. It is usually a small, nipple-like, hexagonal or slotted screw. It might be marked with a small cap and could be hard to locate, so take your time. Before you start, ensure you have adequate lighting to help you spot it easily.
The bleed screw is located on the fuel pump, near where the fuel line comes in. It is usually a small nipple-like screw. You may need an Allen key or a wrench to fit the bleeder valve. You will also need a container, such as a small bucket or pan, to catch the oil that sputters out as you bleed the oil furnace. If the screw is in an area that is impossible to put a bucket or small tray under, use a flexible tube just big enough to fit over the bleed screw. Place the tube over the bleed screw and direct it to an area where you can fit the tray or bucket.
If you are still having trouble locating the bleed screw, consult the manual for your furnace.
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How to bleed the fuel lines
Bleeding your fuel lines is a simple process, but it is important to be careful as you are dealing with equipment that gets extremely hot and is connected to electricity. If you are not comfortable with the process, it is best to call a professional.
Firstly, make sure your tank has enough oil. This entire process is pointless if your tank doesn't have oil in it. So, before you get started, ensure that your tank is full. Secondly, try the reset button. You don't need to bleed the lines unless your furnace doesn't start up after the fuel tank was filled.
Now, turn off the furnace. Depending on the age of your furnace, you may need to flip a switch on or near the furnace, or turn it off at the breaker. You should also turn off the gas using the shut-off valve connected to the gas line. Find the manual to your furnace to see if you need an Allen key or a wrench to fit the bleeder valve. You will also need a container to catch the oil that bleeds out.
Locate the bleeder valve, which will be found near the fuel pump. It is usually a metal hex nut or a rubber plug and can be hard to locate, so take your time. Loosen it slightly to ensure you can turn it when needed, then tighten it slightly again to prevent oil from dripping out. Position your bucket or container underneath the bleeder valve. You can also attach 1/4 inch nylon tubing to the valve and place the other end in your bucket to prevent spills.
Turn on the furnace and unscrew the hex nut until oil begins to flow out. Be careful not to detach the nut completely; it will likely take about a quarter turn to open it enough for oil to flow. Let it drain into the bucket until a solid stream of oil comes out. If the furnace cycle stops before the oil flows smoothly, push the reset button again. It can sometimes take a few cycles to run totally clean.
Tighten the screw once the air is out of the lines. Your furnace should now be running well. If it is not, you may need to repeat the process or contact an HVAC professional for assistance.
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What to do if the furnace doesn't restart
If your furnace doesn't restart, the first thing to do is to check if there is fuel oil in the tank. If there is no fuel oil, simply refilling the tank may solve the problem. If there is fuel oil, try hitting the reset button. If the reset button doesn't work, you may need to bleed the oil furnace line and start it up again.
To bleed your oil furnace, first, turn off the furnace. Depending on the age of your furnace, you may need to flip a switch on or near the furnace, or turn it off at the breaker. You should also turn off the gas using the shut-off valve connected to the gas line. Next, locate the bleeder valve or bleed screw near the fuel pump. Place a small bucket or pan under the bleed screw to catch any fuel that may spill. Loosen the bleed screw slightly with a wrench or pliers, then turn on the furnace. As the furnace starts to suck fuel in, air and fuel will spit out of the bleed screw. Once a steady stream of fuel begins to pour out, tighten the screw. Be careful not to over-tighten the screw, as this can be costly to fix.
If your furnace still doesn't restart, you may need to repeat the bleeding process to ensure all the air is out of the line. Alternatively, you may have a debris blockage in your fuel line. If you are still unable to get your furnace to restart, consider contacting an HVAC professional for assistance.
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When to call a professional
Burping or bleeding a fuel line is the process of getting the air out of your fuel lines after your tank has run empty. While it is possible to do this yourself, it is recommended that you hire a professional to take care of this in the safest and most efficient manner possible. If you are not typically one for DIY projects, it is best to leave this to a professional.
If you detect a new odour and suspect that it is coming from your oil furnace, call a technician right away and do not use your oil furnace until they can diagnose the cause and repair it. This is especially important if you detect smoke or burning smells, which can be traced back to a problem with the burner, pilot light, or fuel nozzle.
If you have tried the reset button, checked to make sure there is fuel oil, and your furnace still won't start, you may need to call a professional. Before doing so, check the fuel source and make sure the line to the furnace is void of air. If you are not comfortable with this, a professional can help diagnose the issue.
If your furnace is making unusual sounds, such as cycling off and on at odd intervals, there may be an issue with the air filter or the thermostat. If you cannot visually detect anything wrong with the filter or thermostat, contact a technician for a diagnosis.
If you are experiencing a sludge problem, it is recommended to have your tank cleaned or install a new one. A professional can help you with this process.
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Frequently asked questions
Burping fuel lines, also known as bleeding, is the process of getting the air out of your fuel lines after your tank has run empty.
If your furnace doesn’t start up after refilling your oil tank, you likely need to burp and restart your furnace.
If your furnace cycle ends before the air and fuel mixture stops sputtering, you likely need to burp the fuel lines.
First, turn off the furnace. Then, locate the bleeder valve or bleed screw near the fuel pump and position a bucket underneath it. Loosen the valve slightly, then turn on the furnace and unscrew the valve until oil begins to flow out. Tighten the valve as soon as a steady stream of fuel pours out.
Yes, you can hire a professional to take care of burping your fuel lines in a safe and efficient manner.
