How to Clear an Oil Furnace Fuel Line

Man working on a furnace
  • 0.5-2
  • Beginner
  • 150-500
What You'll Need
Air compressor
What You'll Need
Air compressor

An oil furnace is something that many people use throughout the country. It allows for hot water as well as warm air. It is important that you take care of your furnace with regular maintenance. This can help the oil furnace last much longer and cause you few problems overall. Unfortunately, there are very few quick fixes that you will be able to do with these types of furnaces. This is why maintenance is so necessary. The line itself may at times become clogged. This is something you can fix with minimal effort as long as you know the right steps to take.

Step 1 - Air

A lot of the time, it is as simple as getting an air compressor and blowing air back into your tank. This can help to clear out any type of clogs that you may have in there. This will usually only work if the clog is not severe and is caught quickly. If it is something that was not taken care of right away, then you may need to go ahead and take the next step clearing out the lines of your oil furnace.

Step 2 - Clean Tank

The more expensive and more drastic route is to get your tank cleaned. This will help to remove all of the sludge that can build up. You will find that getting your tank cleaned regularly can help to prevent any types of clogs or troubles that your furnace may have throughout the years. If you wait to have your tank cleaned only after it starts to give you trouble, then this could lower the life expectancy of your oil furnace. Cleaning your tank is part of the proper maintenance needed in order to keep it running properly for a lot longer.

Step 3 - Replace Screens and Filters

The screens and filters of the oil line or lines may need to be replaced. It is important to keep up with these as well with your maintenance as they can cause a lot of issues if they are not properly taken care of or looked after. Your oil furnace will quickly shut down and stop working completely unless you stay on top of the filters and screens.

Step 4 - Call a Professional

It is always in your best interest to get a professional you trust to come out and help you with your oil furnace. This is especially true if you are unsure of what exactly you should be doing with your oil furnace. You will need a professional in order to clean your furnace. This is a task that will need to be done at least once a year. The cost will depend on the condition that your furnace is in. This can be quite costly so it is important the professional you choose is one that will be able to help you to get your furnace in good working condition.