Condensation in Heating Oil Tank - Additive to help?

[donnaval]

We have an ongoing problem with a furnace that we think *might* be caused by condensation in our outside heating oil tanks. The tanks are outside, not leaking, but the property was vacant when we purchased it and the tanks had been sitting empty for years. The way these tanks are set up, the fuel lines draw out of the bottom which we think could mean there might be water or sludge in them.

Our problem is, the furnace (which is new) runs great, but every once in a while it shuts off and we have to press a reset button. Once we press that button it comes right back on without a problem, and runs great again for days or even weeks--then the same thing happens.

We've had a couple of different furnace guys out to look and they couldn't find anything wrong. One recommended we change the oil filter frequently, which we have been doing. There doesn't seem to be any sludge in the filters when they are changed.

We use straight kerosene in the tanks so don't think the fuel is freezing up.

I remember when I worked for a big oil company, they sometimes used some type of additive to dry up condensation in underground tanks. Does anybody know if there's a similar product for a home heating oil tank????

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dave M]

Go to this link and search for the word "additive" to find one such product. Here is a commercial website that discusses some of the issues and has (of course) its own recommended product solution. And here is another product.

 

[donnaval]

Dave--Thank you so much for the info! I was able to locate the Hot 4-in-1 locally and will give that a try.

 

[Passepartout]

Additives are all Snake Oil!

IMHO. Now I admit I only use about 80 gals a day of diesel fuel. Same stuff as stove oil without colorant and with road taxes. We use no additives down to +10 ambient temp and add 25% #1 diesel (kerosene) down to -10 then make it 50/50%. Modern fuels won't get particulate 'drop out' or 'gelling' above those temps.

If you have an outside, unprotected fuel tank, put a light bulb (lighted, of course) near the outlet from the tank and put something around the area to hold the temperature of the light around the valve. You only need to run the light when it's well below freezing. There are thermal switches made for turning on stock water heaters or heat tape available at livestock supply stores so you don't even have to remember to turn your light on and off. This will save you a fortune on not having to buy kerosene.

In the original post, you mentioned that your fuel filters had no water in them when changed. That indicates condensation isn't a problem. Could be some algae or other stuff living in the tank. Your additive/stabilizer you looked into should take care of that and a light dose in the spring should keep it under control.

Best (warm) wishes...

Jim Ricks