How to Maintain Your Oil Fuel Units

Last updated 9 months ago

Also called oil pumps, oil fuel units are used in oil-fired furnaces, boilers, water heaters, and other heating appliances. The oil fuel unit is what draws oil from the fuel storage tank, pressurizes that oil, and eventually distributes oil into the combustion chamber to produce heat. It’s a vital part of your heater that should be inspected as part of your regular heating system maintenance and professionally repaired as needed. Here are some tips for maintaining your oil fuel units.

Recognize Sounds of Trouble

If you notice unusual noises when your oil burner is operating, there may be a problem with your fuel unit. Check to see if the coupling connecting your combustion air blower to your fuel unit is stripped, loose, or unattached. Bad coupling alignment could be causing the extra or unusual noises. As with any task involving oil-fueled heating appliances, if you don’t know how to fix the problem or feel uncomfortable with the task, ask your heating specialist for help.

Check Oil Levels and Pressure

Make sure there is a proper amount of oil in the system to ensure proper fuel unit performance. Without enough oil, the pump cannot pressurize the fuel correctly before it goes into the combustion chamber. If your oil pressure is low or heater has stopped producing heat, then there could be a leak in the system. Call a professional in this case.

Replace Your Fuel Unit Filter

Oil burner fuel units have a filter or screen inside of them to protect their various internal parts. Because debris builds up over time in these filters, substances can get into the unit’s internal parts if the filter isn’t replaced. To maintain your heater and its fuel unit, have this filter replaced as part of your annual oil burner service.

South Shore Fuel recommends that you have your heating units inspected before every heating season. Let our experts check your heating system up and down before the colder weather sets in. We also offer tank monitoring services and heating oil delivery in Massachusetts. Give us a call today at (855) 529-9635.