Red Seal Oil Heat System Technician Practice Exam

What is an important indicator of fuel oil quality?

1. Color of the oil

2. The presence of water and sediment

3. Viscosity of the oil

4. Odor of the fuel

The correct answer is: The presence of water and sediment

An important indicator of fuel oil quality is the presence of water and sediment. Water can significantly affect the combustion properties of fuel oil, leading to reduced efficiency and potential damage to the heating system. When fuel oil contains water, it can lead to issues such as rust in tanks and lines, microbial growth, and difficulty in combustion. Sediment can block filters and fuel lines, further impairing the system’s operation and potentially causing complete shutdowns or failures. While the other traits, such as the color of the oil, viscosity, and odor, can provide some insights into the fuel's condition, they are less definitive indicators of quality compared to the presence of water and sediment. For instance, color may change due to a variety of factors without necessarily indicating a problem, viscosity can vary with temperature and does not directly point to contamination, and odor may arise from various additives in the fuel but does not reliably indicate overall quality. The detection of water and sediment, however, provides a clear and actionable insight into the fuel's integrity and readiness for combustion.