I think I have an intermittent oil flow to burner. I have a Beckett Burner. I flipped lid/transformer back, took Cad Cell eye out, attached small tube to copper fuel line and turned electric back on to oil burner - the flow of oil coming out of small tube is good then stops for quick millisecond then returns to good flow. Flow is intermittent.

Question is should I replace oil burner pump? Is replacing oil burner pump straight forward? Can I reuse the copper plumbing fittings that are already there? What type of pipe dope do I purchase for fuel oil connections?

I believe all copper plumbing connections to pump are air tight. Oil filter is clean. I replaced nozzle already.

Thank you,


Lee



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yeah, you can re-use the tubing. be gentle on part 12..




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What was the boiler doing to make you start to take it apart and look? Why did you take the cad cell out? Are you pretty familiar with boilers, or are you just picking and pulling things apart?



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If you replace the pump, you have to check whether you have one pipe or two connected to it. If two, then there may be an internal "bypass" plug that has to be removed.

In response to SMSPlumbing:

"What was the boiler doing to make you start to take it apart and look? Why did you take the cad cell out? Are you pretty familiar with boilers, or are you just picking and pulling things apart?"

The boiler was or is turning on and then turning off for a quick millisecond. It sounds clean lights nice. I opened viewing hole to watch burner in action and it is firing nice but then turns off for a quick millisecond. That is why I was wondering about oil delivery to the burner from the pump. I took cad cell out so that pump would deliver an oil stream. I figured that cad cell would see light and think that burner was already on and that is why I took cad cell out. I actually viewed the stream of oil and it was not always steady it would be an on and off stream of oil. I believe I am pretty familiar with the boiler - but I do not compare to any of you guys on this site.

Thank you.

Lee



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To HJ:

If you replace the pump, you have to check whether you have one pipe or two connected to it. If two, then there may be an internal "bypass" plug that has to be removed.



I have two pipes connected to pump. I will have to look for an "internal bypass plug I definitely do not know where it would be?


Thank you,


Lee



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What may be happening, is the coupling in the fuel pump that attaches to the squirrel cage is slipping. That could cause the intermittant fuel.

Go here to see. [www.grainger.com]

This could be one thing, or it could be a bad pump like you are suspecting.

Might be dumb to say, but check the oil level as well. Maybe you already did that.



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What kind of pipe dope do I buy for fuel oil connections?

I checked oil level. I will go to grainger.com.

Thanks,

Le

For the copper, they should be flared fittings. No sealant neccesary. For the threaded ones, you can use some teflon tape.

You will have to use teflon on the brass fittings when screwing them back into the pump. I'll assume you've already checked your oil filter. The bypass plug will be a small set screw thats found under the bottom plug on the pump.

You should NEVER use teflon tape on oil fittings as the tape can break off and end up in the fuel pump! I use only Permatex gasket sealer on oil fittings. I would first replace the coupler as it could cause this type of problem. If this does not resolve the issue then I would replace the fuel pump.

To jfplumr(NY):

That is exactly what I was thinking of doing. Replacing the coupler as SMSPlumbing(PA)had suggested. It seems to be a part that is not that expensive.So why not try that first I figure.
I will use Permatex Gasket Sealer on the threads that go into the oil burner pump.

I just want to say thank you to everyone who has offered me help.

Merry Christmas.

Thank You,

Lee

i don't think it would cause this but have you replaced/cleaned the pump strainer and gasket?

Packy:


I have not replaced or cleaned the oil burner pump strainer or replaced the gasket but I will do so.

Thank you.


Lee