Oil Burner Inspection FAQs

Recognize or diagnose oil burner problems by visual inspection
Visually identify oil burner defects & Hazards
Oil burner service standards

If the Oil Burner Won't Run: what to check in what order

Aat OIL BURNER WONT RUN we have collected oil burner diagnostic procedures from several texts, ^{[1] - [22]} adapted, expanded, and generally re-ordered steps in order of most likely to be successful and easiest to perform.

Readers needing an approach to heating system inspections that assures thoroughness, should also

see HEATING SYSTEM INSPECTION PROCEDURE

where we explain an organized approach to inspecting the entire heating system, beginning outdoors, continuing indoors, and ultimately in most detail in the boiler or furnace room.

Visual Inspection of Oil Burner Flue & Damper

Tip: many oil burner problems can be seen by simple visual inspection or by listening to the system when it's running, as we explain at

• BUILDING EXTERIOR Oil Burner Trouble
• BUILDING INTERIOR Oil Burner Trouble

Should we use flue gas spill switches on oil fired heating equipment?

Can and or should spill switches be installed on a oil fired furnace barometirc damper?

by (mod) - there are fule gas spillage switches designed for oil fired heaters

Good question;

The spill switches discussed at the article series beginning

at FLUE GAS SPILL SWITCH TRIPPING & RESET

are indeed focused on gas fired equipment, probably because of the carbon monoxide CO hazard.

But the answer to your question part1 is absolutely yes, there are flue gas spillage switches designed for the (usually higher) temperature range produced by oil fired heating equipment and that can be mounted at a barometric damper on an oil fired heating flue.

Field Controls, for example, offers such devices. The term usually used is "thermal switch" or "thermal switches for oil fired heating equipment".

These flue gas spillage devices sense heat, must be selected for the proper fuel and application (or else your system would be unsafe as it'd not be properly protected), and are sold in both manual reset and automatic reset spill switch sensor switch forms.

Flue gas spillage or thermal switches also vary by their response time. You may have trouble with a too-fast-acting switch if in normal operation there is a brief burst of heat from a barometric damper - as happens on some oil fired heating equipment.

Field Controls Thermal switch models include FTS-4, FTS-6, GSK250-M (for steam boilers), GSJ0160-M for draft-induced furnaces, and about eight other models. You'll see that it is essential to choose the proper thermals sensor switch.

Contact Field Controls at Field Controls
2630 Airport Road
Kinston, NC 28504
Phone: 252.522.3031
Fax: 252.522.0214
sales@fieldcontrols.com
Website: fieldcontrols.com

Where are the Parts of my Oil Burner?

How do I locate the nozzles and ignitor on a Beckett oil burner unit

How do i locate the nozzles and ingnitor on a Beckett unit?

The heater wont fire . I went down the checklist everything is OK.

I removed a lot off soot from inside the heater. I replaced thickly oiled filter

also the thermostat goes directly into the interrupted ignition oil control .

Since the red button is out and wont reset (it is blinking green every 1/2 second.) how do i check the thromostat? (Oct 16, 2012) tim

---

Please give me some advice regarding basic operation of VJP-140 gun type Volcano steam boilers. basic firing procedures, maintenance..thank you so much..please email me john_qute@yahoo.com (Oct 24, 2012) John

---

I have been told that there is a pinhole in my rear breech of my riello furnance and that this means my furnace is condemned and needs to be replaced ASAP. The rest of the furnace is in really good condition and we suspect that poor yearly cleanings (cleanings were only 1 hr for a 3-4 hr job) was the culprit.

Can the breech be repaired? Is this a reason for immediate replacement? Are there licensed companies that do this type of repair? Thanks! (Nov 7, 2012) Ken & Eliz

Reply: if you're not trained and equipped for oil burner service & repair, call someone who is - for safety & economy!

Ken & Eliz

I'm afraid to second-guess an onsite service expert where heating equipment safety is involved, but I can offer a few thoughts:

1. Repairability depends on a few things like: what is the nature of the hole and what caused it - for example a pinhole caused by corrosion is often the tip of an iceberg so to speak - and actually a much larger defect is looming, whereas a manufacturing defect may be covered under warranty and/or very small and possibly repairable.

2. in my experience, while it is technically possible to weld a small hole in perforated sheet metal, an issue is that NOBODY will sign off warranting the safety of the result - even if in their secret heart of hearts they think it's fine, no one wants the risk; and of course a technical expert might argue at a later failure that the heat stress of welding contributed to a future failure, hazard or event

If you are not convinced (by say having the service tech or manager show you and explain to you the problem) I would

- ask to see the exact location and nature of the hole, and ask an opinion about its cause and about the risk of similar defects not so easily found

- if what's there is a true pinhole (1/8" diameter or less) and you want to even consider some sort of repair, contact Riello directly, ask to speak with a technical service rep, ask for and then follow their advice.

Reader followup: (Nov 7, 2012) Ken & Eliz

DanJoeFriedman -- thank you very, very much for the info.

I beleive the pinhole is the result of corrosion. I also believe that I will have to replace the furnace over the next couple of months. Do you know if it is a risk (health wise) to take the time to find the proper replacement rather than doing an emergency install?

Also, one of the technicians suggested 'glueing' on the same material that is used for the gaskets as an interim solutions while I look for another furnace - do you think this is a viable option?

Reply: OK Ken & E:

watch out that corrosion means welding is not just a pinhole problem.

It's worth trying a patch by your service tech.

BUT WATCH OUT

be sure your smoke and CO detectors are working and installed in the right location

Oil Drips at the Oil Burner

Why is there oil coming out the bottom of the oil burner

Why is there oil coming out the bottom of the oil burner (Nov 8, 2012) levi

Reply:

Levi,

If oil drips out of the rear of your oil burner most likelynthe fuel unit is not shutting off cleanly, letting unburned oil drip at the nozzle. An oil line leak can also be at fault. Both of these are operating problems that can lead to loss of heat or to an ugly oil burner puffback. It's time for a service call.

Drainage from the oil burner bottom weep opening may indicate a failing transformer or a leak in the the nozzle adapter, tube, or a dirty oil burner nozzle that's spraying wildly.

Oil Burner Motor Runs, No Ignition

Beckett AFG blower motor running with the burner not firing

I came home from work yesterday and discovered my Beckett AFG blower motor running with the burner not firing.

I had to manually shut the system down. Primary did not trip. Turned power back on and the electric motor fired right up again and still no fire up or safety trip - killed power to the unit to stop. Is my primary bad? (Nov 9, 2012) Paul

Reply: replace the primary control & clean the system

Paul

Watch out: DO NOT fire the oil burner before an expert replaces a bad primary control or finds and fixes a shorted wire or wiring error and

Also

Inspects and perhaps cleans out excess oil pumped into the combustion chamber.

Otherwise there risk of a fire or puffback explosion on first ignition.

Details are at OIL BURNER SOOT & PUFFBACKS 

Paul said

DanJoeFriedman-thank you for your reply. Iv'e been troubleshooting this blower ever since, perhaps you can advise? I opened the door to the combustion chamber and cleaned up the excess fuel oil, changed the filter, strainer, and nozzle.

I also checked the spark on the transformer with a screwdriver and I have a strong steady spark. I didn't disturb any of the settings as the boiler was running fine previously.

I don't understand why the blower won't fire up - power seems to be getting to the transformer from the primary.

Beckett AFG, Honeywell R4184D 1027 primary.
Thank you

Paul said:

Problem solved - I just replaced the primary control, now my boiler is running as smooth as ever!

Thanks!

Mod said:
Thanks so much for the feedback and repair results. This sequence will surely help others.

Oil Burner Reset Button Position

Tip: see details at RESET SWITCH Heater Primary Control

Watch out: If the oil burner has tripped off on reset the red reset button will have popped up on the primary control. You can press this button once to try to restart the burner to have heat while waiting for repair, but do not keep pressing it if the burner doesn't run for 5 minutes or longer or you risk a dangerous puffback explosion.

See OIL BURNER PUFFBACK EXPLOSION

I pushed the oil burner reset button. It started then stopped, I've tried 3 times!

No hot water, pushed reset button. It started then stopped, tried 3 times, nothing. Need hot water. On 2018-08-18 by Barb Williams

by (mod) - DO NOT keep pushing the oil burner reset button!

Barb

Watch out: DO NOT keep pressing the re-set button on an oil burner that won't start and keep running.

Doing so leaves excess oil in the combustion chamber and threatens a puffback explosion.

Therfore doing that risks a dangerous puff-back explosion (search InspectApedia.com for that phrase to read details).

Your oil burner needs service or repair or both.

Trianco oil burner goes to lockout after 10 minutes

I have a trianco burner, that's goes to lock out after 10 minits of running fine, and if I press the lock out button, the same thing will happen again.

I have put a new control box on it, the pump spinning ferly smooth, can you help me? On 2016-11-25 by ioan -

by (mod) - DO NOT keep pushing the reset button on an oil burner

Ioan

When the burner is going off on reset there's probably a fuel delivery, or ignition, or nozzle problem: those are the common sources. Of course a trained oil heat service tech will also check the cad cell itself.

Watch out: For safety you really want an onsite service technician - this isn't a proper homeowner repair topic.

DO NOT keep running by pressing the reset button - see PUFFBACKS, OIL BURNER

Water heater oil burner stuck in "lockout" mode - I held the button down for 30 seconds

My water heater's burner was stuck in lockout mode, so I removed the gun, cleaned it, and reassembled it.

Held the reset switch for 30 seconds to reset the CPU, and it heated a tank of water just fine.

But when I noticed oil on the floor, I opened it back up and the gun, CAD sensor, springs, everything is covered in fresh oil.

All oil connections are tight. What do you think is happening? On 2015-11-11 by James

Diagnosis by (mod) - Watch out: don't do that. Forcing the oil burner to keep pumping oil into the combustion chamber is dangerous

James:

Clearly there is an oil leak - which ultimately is dangerous as it can lead to a puffback explosion (search inspectApedia.com for that term to read details)

If you are not seeing leaks at the oil line fittings that you *can* see then the leak is inside the burner tube or gun. Look first outside, checking both low pressure side (into the fuel unit) and high pressure lines between fuel unit and gun inlet.

Wipe everything clean and dry and use your clean finger to feel around fittings for oil-wetting.

Watch out: having made every mistake on servicing an oil burner at least once I warn that over-tightening the nozzle adapter onto the end of the nozzle tube or over-tightening the nozzle itself into the brass nozzle adapter can also cause leaks that foul up the burner spray pattern, cause burner malfunction, and can send oil both into the combustion chamber and onto the utility room floor.

James I hope you're trained on this work: fooling around with an oil burner without knowing the details could leave an unsafe system. Be careful.

Read the warnings at OIL BURNER PUFFBACK EXPLOSION

Reset button on oil burner works sometimes

I have an issue where my Beckett oil furnace will lock out.

Hit the reset on primary controller and it fires right up. Sometimes it will run a while, others it will lock out again in a couple of minutes. Cleaned the CAD cell (though it didnt appear to need it) and still intermittently tripping the reset. Plenty of fuel and definitely getting electricity. Any suggestions? (Jan 4, 2013) Scott

---

my heat oil is not fired up some does but when i close the door is not work again why? what i have to do? (Jan 11, 2013) jose netto

---

my boiler takes to long to cut in even when its very cold outside,what should i check? and do you know of a good oil burner school in (Westchester NY or close to zip 10553 (Feb 18, 2013) Anonymous

---

My Beckett AFG is sluggish when it is turning on but kick on fine and throws good heat. Any first step procedures? Thanks in advance. (Jan 31, 2014) Dennis

Reply:

Dennis,

Sluggish start up sounds like the oil burner needs cleaning and adjustment.

I would schedule a heating service call now - before the problem leads to loss of heat.

Service steps include standard items like oil change, screen change, nozzle change, cleaning and adjustment of the nozzle assembly - if those standard procedures don't fix the problem we'd dig deeper, checking pump pressure, bearings, shaft couplings &c.

Dennis

Hey Dan,

First time I tackled the fuel side of the furnace and replaced the nozzle and did some basic cleaning and all seems well. I also changed the filter which I failed to do last year.

Reply:

Excellent. Sounds as if the start-up problem on the oil burner was a typical response to needing a cleaning. Nice going.

The red light came back on and the reset button popped back up on the Honeywell R8184G4009 box.

The only way my Williamson oil burner will ignite is by "jump starting" the thermostat wires on the Honeywell R8184G4009 box. When I want to shut the oil burner off all I have to do is remove the "jump start" wire.

I just now replaced the upstairs wall mounted thermostat control. After I had the new wall mounted thermostat box wired and set up I turned the breaker box switch back on for the furnace. The oil burner did its usual start up but did not ignite.

The red light came back on and the reset button popped back up on the Honeywell R8184G4009 box. I'm thinking about "jump starting" the furnace again and let it run for a couple of hours tonight. The oil burner is an older Williamson from the 1980's, prior to their bankruptcy I think. Do I need a new Honeywell R8184G4009 box? (Feb 20, 2014) Dan

Reply:

Dan I understand your reasoning, but don't recommend forcing the system to run.

When the oil burner has shut down on "safety" and the reset button pops up on the primary control, it's ok to push that reset button ONCE to see if the system will start and keep running - that will let you have heat while you wait for the service technician to show up.

But do not keep resetting and running the system - doing so is unsafe and risks a puffback.

And do not assume that the problem is the control aquastat - the R8184G. It could be simply that the oil burner needs cleaning. Or there could be another service problem = even a clogged filter.

Dan said:

Hey Dan,

I understand about the risks pushing that reset button more than once and how it will fill the chamber with fuel if it fails to ignite. I also understand the risks of "jump starting" or forcing the system to run, it was a last resort option to get some heat in the house.

Anyways just today my brother and I bought and installed a new Honeywell R8184G4009 box, so along with the new wall mounted thermostat control the system is working again. My brother also regapped the electrodes on the gun assembly to some measurements we found online.

The gun assembly needs new electrodes, sounds like a to do project when the weather gets warmer.

I forgot to mention that a service tech did come out last month and replaced the nozzle on the gun assembly. Just the other day another guy came out and cleaned the fuel lines to and from the fuel pump. He also tested the photo lens/cad cell light sensor (you know what I'm referring to) and it is working properly.

This colder than normal winter forced me to learn alot about oil burners in the past month.

I also found a sticker on the furnace with a written service log on it from the local heating company who installed the furnace back in 1988. I will be making my own maintainence log mounted on a clipboard to place by the furnace. Thanks for taking the time respond to my comment~Dan

Moderator reply

Thanks for the feedback Dan. It will surely assist other readers.

Sorry I couldn't be smarter with the text exchange; the on-site person is always the most critical eye.

If you have time it would be useful to hear what you think was wrong with the primary control that you replaced, and more, if you kept the old box, it might be instructive to take a close look at it - nothing technical, just a look-see for obvious damage like burning marks indicating overheating of a relay or circuit board or wire contact.

Industry standards for oil burner maintenance?

Tip: See OIL BURNERS - home for our complete list of oil burner installation and maintenance procedures.

Also see OIL BURNER MANUALS to find the installation and maintenance instructions specific to your oil burner brand and model.

What gets replaced during an oil burner tune-up?

Aside from Nozzle and Fuel Tank Oil Filter, are there any other common parts replaced at a normal oil burner service tune up

I am struggling to understand a $54 parts cost for Water Heater Oil burner service and $79 parts cost for Furnace Oil burner. Nov 29, 2014) Stan G said:

Reply:

Stan

I was taught to replace the filter screen inside the fuel unit - some techs skip that step. In addition a tech might find other defective parts that are replaced - though less often

- such as a leaky nozzle adapter, or cracked nozzle electrodes.

Some oil heat service companies offset low hourly rates or no charge for travel time by adding a larger profit margin to the parts

- you're paying them to keep stock on the truck. Certainly it's fair to ask your heating service company what parts were replaced. Let me know.

Is there an Industry Standard for Oil Burner Maintenance?

Is there a written Industry Standard for oil burner maintenance?

That is to say, aside from burner manufacturer maintenance guides, is there a written standard? On 2018-12-14 by Mike

by (mod) - industry standards for oil burner maintenance include your own boiler's installation & operation manual

Mike, if we note that typical model building codes and standards require that equipment be installed and maintained, among other things, in accordance with the product manufacturer's instructions, those would be pretty much the final word.

That means that the manufacturer's oil burner maintenance instructions are included by reference in building codes and stdandards.

But certainly there are plenty of text books and guides for oil heat maintenance including oil burner maintenance for boilers, furnaces, & water heaters.

Here are a few examples, and more are at theReferences or Citations section of this article

• The ABC's of Retention Head Oil Burners, National Association of Oil Heat Service Managers, TM 115, National Old Timers' Association of the Energy Industry, PO Box 168, Mineola, NY 11501.
  
  Excellent tips on spotting problems on oil-fired heating equipment. Booklet.
• A TOTAL LOOK AT OIL BURNER NOZZLES [PDF] orignal source: Delavan Fuel Metering Products, a reference guide for oil burner service technicians, Delavan Spray Technologies, Fuel Metering Products Division, PO Box 969, Bamberg SC 29003, Tel: 800-982-6943 or 803-245-4347, ( Delavan is a division of BF Goodrich); web search 12/30/2010, original source: http://www.delavaninc.com/pdf/total_look.pdf
• The American Boiler Manufacturer’s Association (ABMA), guidelines, technical documents
• ASME, American Society of Mechanical Engineers BOILER & PRESSURE VEHICLE CODE, particularly the following secitons:
  
  Section I—Power Boilers: This section covers power boilers, electric boilers, miniature boilers, heat recovery steam generators, high-temperature water boilers, and certain fired pressure vessels for stationary service, and power boilers for locomotive, portable, and traction service. This standard applies to steam boilers generating steam at more than 15 psi and hot water boilers generating hot water at temperatures over 250 F or pressures higher than 160 psi.
  
  Section IV—Heating Boilers: A heating boiler is a steam boiler with design pressure less than 15 psi or a hot water boiler with design pressure less than 160 psi and design temperature less than 250 F. This section covers rules for the design and construction of heating boilers.
  
  Section VI—Recommended Rules for Care and Operation of Heating Boilers: This has guidelines applicable to steel and cast iron boilers within the operating range for Section IV—Heating Boilers, including associated controls and automatic fuel burning equipment.
  
  Section VII—Recommended Guidelines for the Care of Power Boilers: This section has guidelines applicable to stationary, portable, and traction type boilers within the operating range for Section I—Power Boilers, to assist operators in maintaining plant safety.
• ASME CSD-1: Controls and Safety Devices for Automatically Fired Boilers (2012 edition).
• ASTM, Standard Specification for Commercial Boiler Fuels With Used Lubricating Oils, ASTM D6823 - 08(2013)
  [also see ASTM D6448 - 16]
  
  Abstract:
  
  This specification covers four grades of fuel oil made of used lubricating oils. These four grades of fuel are proposed for use in various types of fuel-oil-burning industrial equipment and commercial boilers under various climatic and operating conditions.
  
  The four grades of fuel oil covered in this specification are RFC4, RFC5L, RFC5H, and RFC6. The fuel oils shall contain a minimum volume of used lubricating oil-derived products as prescribed herein.
  
  The oils shall also be homogeneous consisting primarily of hydrocarbons. The fuel oil shall not contain excessive amounts of organic or inorganic acids, or both, and shall be free of solid or fibrous matter.
• Brumbaugh, James E., Boilers, Boiler Conversions, ISBN 0-672-23389-4 (v. 1) Volume II, Oil, Gas, and Coal Burners, Controls, Ducts, Piping, Valves, James E. Brumbaugh, ISBN 0-672-23390-7 (v. 2)
  
  Brumbaugh, James E., Volume III, Radiant Heating, Water Heaters, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Heat Pumps, Air Cleaners, James E. Brumbaugh, ISBN 0-672-23383-5 (v. 3) or ISBN 0-672-23380-0 (set) Special Sales Director, Macmillan Publishing Co., 866 Third Ave., New York, NY 10022. Macmillan Publishing Co., NY
• Burkhardt, Charles H., Domestic and Commercial Oil Burners, Charles H. Burkhardt, McGraw Hill Book Company, New York 3rd Ed 1969.
• Canadian Standards Association (CSA) B51, Part 1 Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Pressure Piping Code.
• Domestic and Commercial Oil Burners, Charles H. Burkhardt, McGraw Hill Book Company, New York 3rd Ed 1969.
• EPA, GUIDELINES for RESIDENTIAL OIL BURNER ADJUSTMENTS, (1975), NEPIS, EPA, Office of Research and Develoopment, Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park NC 27711,
• EPA, GUIDELINES for COMMERCIAL OIL BURNER AFDJUSTMENTS (1976) Op. Cit.
• Installation Guide #200 for Residential Hydronic Heating Systems, The Hydronics Institute, 35 Russo Place, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
• Litzke, Wai-Lin, MAINTENANCE & STORAGE of FUEL OIL FOR RESIDENTIAL HEATING SYSTEMS a Guide for Heating System Maintenance Personnel [PDF] 1992, BNL-48406 Brookhaven National Laboratory Associated Universities, Inc. Department of Applied Science Upton, New York 11 973 Under Contract No. DE-AC02-76CH00016 and Prepared for: Off ice of Building Technologies U.S. Department of Energy Washington, D.C. 20585
• National Fuel Gas Code (Z223.1) $16.00 and National Fuel Gas Code Handbook (Z223.2) $47.00 American Gas Association (A.G.A.), 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209 also available from National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269.
  
  Fundamentals of Gas Appliance Venting and Ventilation, 1985, American Gas Association Laboratories, Engineering Services Department. American Gas Association, 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209. Catalog #XHO585. Reprinted 1989.
• NFPA 31: Standard for the Installation of Oil-Burning Equipment, 2011 Edition
• Olson, E.O., FUEL NOZZLES FOR OIL BURNERS, TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF APPLICATIONS [PDF] E. O. Olson, Chief Engineer (deceased)
  
  Delavan Fuel Metering Products Operation, Bamberg, South Carolina, Delavan Fuel Metering Products, a reference guide for oil burner service technicians, Delavan Spray Technologies, Fuel Metering Products Division, PO Box 969, Bamberg SC 29003, Tel: 800-982-6943 or 803-245-4347, ( Delavan is a division of BF Goodrich); web search 12/30/2010, original source: http://www.delavaninc.com/pdf/Fuel_Nozzles_for_Burners.PDF
• Also see
  
  BECKETT OIL BURNERS & CONTROLS
  
  COMBUSTION AIR REQUIREMENTS
  
  MANUALS & PARTS GUIDES - HVAC - home

Where can we buy a Beckett oil burner?

Can help send to us beckett safety burner, I use to assimilate bitumen asphalt, I work in Asphalt Mixing Plant.
Thank you On 2018-05-15 by gwgunawancng1

by (mod) - oil burner needed for asphalt processing / installation

​​S​​orry, Gwguna, but we cannot provide the Oil burner that you asked about.

​​We do not sell anything.

InspectAPedia.com provides building and environmental diagnostic and repair information.

In order to absolutely assure our readers that we write and report without bias we do not sell any products nor do we have any business or financial relationships that could create such conflicts of interest.

InspectAPedia is an independent publisher of building, environmental, and forensic inspection, diagnosis, and repair information for the public - we have no business nor financial connection with any manufacturer or service provider discussed at our website.

Contact BECKETT CORPORATION OIL BURNERS [Website] directly

We changed oil burner service companies; I think our oil heat service tech is incompetent

We used an oil company for about 17 years. Through these years they replaced our oil furnace (which resulted in a blowback)and removed our inground tank (about 4 years ago). We have never had a problem with the loss of heat unless it was due to a missed oil delivery and I have had the burner tuned up every year.

Due to customer service issues, we recently switched oil companies. Since then, we have had 5 service calls in about a month, four of which occurred in the past week.

Our furnace keeps shutting down and we have to hit the reset button for it to start. At the tune up, they replaced a couple parts. The first service call, they changed something on the furnace because they really didn't know what the problem was.

Most recently, after cleaning the burner,the tech said the line was frozen and put MORE additive(from the previous day when they came out)to prevent the oil from gelling up and blew out the line FYI we have the "heat" additive in each fill during the winter months.

Now it is Sunday night and once again the burner has shut down. For over 17 years we've had NO problem and although these guys come highly recommended by friends and neighbors, is there any direction that we should be looking into besides their incompetence? (Jan 26, 2014) sally

Reply:

Sally, before giving up on your service company give the service manager a call, calmly and politely explain the ever unsuccessful service you received and ask him or her to send a highly expert service person to straighten things out.

Keep us posted.

Water is coming out of overflow pipe when we turn heat on

Water coming out of the over flow pipe on the side. The boiler is fine all summer until we turn the heat on then fills up a good size pan ? (Nov 5, 2014) Jack D

Reply:

Jack I'm unclear what "overflow pipe" you mean but if you are talking about a relief valve on the oil fired heatig boiler, a discharge there means the system is at over-pressure, or it is at over-temperature (or the TP valve is leaking ) and repairs are needed.

Watch out: Without inspection and repair, your system is unsafe.

The problem could be something as simple as an older style bladderless expansion tank that needs draining, as we explain

at RELIEF VALVE LEAK DUE TO EXPANSION TANK

But nobody knows what's wrong with your boiler from just your brief note.

And Jack - what "overflow pipe" - if you refer to a relief valve, there should NOT be leaking there - the result would be unsafe and risk a very dangerous BLEVE explosion.

See details at RELIEF VALVE LEAKS

Comments from others on relief valve spillage:

Wow relief are set at 30 psi if water comes out of it three reasons why 1 bad expansion tank it's like a ballon in the roundish tank.2 bad pressure reducing valve that valve knocks down the street pressure to 12 psi around and can bypass this. (Nov 23, 2014) Anonymous

Boiler pressure should be around 18 psi there is a temperature pressure gauge on every boiler.tells you the boiler pressure and temperature.most home owners should know where it is and how to read it. never work on a hot boiler let it cool off. every home heating system has the ability to hurt the home owner,safety first people.most boilers are at 180 degrees,135 degree causes 3 degree BURNS. (Nov 23, 2014) Jim kool mechanical

Relief valves need to be tested every year by activatingthe valve to flush it,many are not tested at all.gunk builds up ang cause higher boiler pressure than recommend.ONLY natural gas,propane can cause an explosion. (Nov 23, 2014) Anonymous

Reply:

Anon you are not entirely correct: water heater tanks can explode as a BLEVE explosion; water pressure tanks can burst and have been known to cause fatalities when over-pressurized. "Explosion" as a term needs some clarification.

TP valves operate at a variety of pressures and temperatures and BTUH discharge rates according to the application. Details are at

inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Boiler_Relief_Valves.php

Jim Kool

Most hydronic heating boilers in one family homes operate at around 12 PSI COLD and heat to under 30 PSI when the boiler is operating. The cold-pressure may be a bit higher for homes requiring heat on a third floor.

See inspectapedia.com/heat/Heating-Temp-Pressure-Settings.php

Where to find heating oil service mechanics in Northern Ireland

Heating Oil

It’s a good blog about Oil burners and their repairs but I was looking for a mechanic for my machine of heating Oil in Northern Ireland.

Reply: Northern Ireland heating & chimney service companies

Heating:

Here are some excellent sources for heating & chimney service and repair experts in Northern Ireland

• Northern Ireland Association of Chimney Sweeps, NIACS, www.niacs.co.uk
• Northern Ireland Warm Homes Scheme, www.nihe.gov.uk/index/benefits/grant_assistance.htm The Warm Homes Scheme provides a free service to all applicants to ensure that you are receiving all the benefits that you are entitled to. NOTICE: As the Scheme is due to end on 31 March 2015, it is important that you apply as soon as possible to check if you are eligible
  
• SNIPF: Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers Federation http://www.snipef.org/