Our Rochester oil tank float valve is probably from the 1950s. It gets stuck sometimes and the reading is way off. We've run out of oil a couple of times because we believed we had 1/4 tank, and the next day, Empty. It needs to be replaced. I'd like to know what to buy, and how to install it. Advice appreciated!

 

New or old; how do you re-calibrate these gauges ?

 

Those older gauges clean up ok. 4 screws on top and they lift out. The swing gear part gets nasty and the cork gets heavy with slime.Newer ones are sometimes bent when installed or hit the side of tank.The indicator must be lifted up with something when installed on the newer ones. I use vice grips and lift and grab the rod when turning the whole gauge in the tank.

 

Thanks for the tips. I will try to clean it up first.

 

My Gauge is newer, seeing as it was replaced when I had a new 275 Gallon Tank installed in 2013; but it has never read "FULL".

Even when I have the tank filled, the gauge will start out reading 7/8, and it will read Empty when there's still 80 gallons in there . . . . causing a lot of unnecessary anxiety.

Will the above procedure work on a newer gauge (when the tank is full, I presume) ?

 

Hello Vermont. Most gauges are combo's -vent and alarms. They are approximate but yours seems way off.Is the piping new and all 2" ? If so maybe not socked in enough or bent? If combo it's a bit of work starting from the outside in and I would want a new one on hand.Did they reuse old vent piping and stick a reducer on the tank? Might want to install a gauge only type if you have a extra bung hole with clearing for the swing arm action or string type for tighter space. Also make sure the arrow on the gauge is completely parallel with the long edge of tank.A few times I had to trim the whistle too. Hope this helps.

 

One more thing.Make sure the indicator button did not slip down from the tip of the rod. That would be the easiest fix.

 

Thanks for your response. Everything was new in 2013 when I had a new tank installed on the opposite side of the basement and next to the driveway for the convenience of the delivery people (too close to the road and couldn't listen in the absence of a whistle). The old tank was from the 1950s . . . . the pre-whistle era. Actually, recent insurance claims for basement spills have put quite a bit of pressure on all of our Fuel Oil Delivery firms to service "only" whistle equipped Customers.

So it looks like I now have a "combo" Whistle and Gauge installed . . . . the Casting reads King Alarm Gauge 600-2A.

The Company doing the installation felt that I'd be able to mentally adjust for the discrepancy in the gauge; but that's a mite easier said than done. The way this gauge is set up, I may as well have a tank capacity of only 175 Gallons !

 

You could get a tank gauge only type, as long as you have the extra plugged bunghole and room for both swing mechanism not to interfere with each other. In essence you would have two tank gauges. Ask about it next time someones there for repair or call?