Oil boiler not working - Advice Please

[rolo28]

I have an oil fired central heating system and the boiler no longer wants to work. Boiler/Burner does not even get to the firing up stage. I can hear a noise (like a quiet background humming) from boiler then it switches itself off.

Now over the last few days when this has happened I pressed the re-set button and it fired up Ok. Once fired up, radiators heat ok then it appears to switch itself off again.

Now it does not want to fire up at all.

I checked oil tank and have about 100 litres of kerosene left. Any-one any ideas? - I want to rule anything simple out before I call out an expert. Thanks in advance guys :icon7:

 

[tamz]

Might just need a service. It should only cost around £70.

 

[SimonG]

Might be motor capacitor.

 

[dontknowitall]

If only 100 litres I'd guess you need more oil.

I appreciate there's 100 litres which should be more than enough, but you'd be surprised at how many times I've come across this and find that a delivery of oil sorts the problem out - at least 9 times out of 10 in my experience.

 

[rolo28]

Thanks Guys - Like the sound of just needing more oil. I'll get more early next week and also arrange for a service. I'll update how I get on.

 

[Gray0689]

Thanks Guys - Like the sound of just needing more oil. I'll get more early next week and also arrange for a service. I'll update how I get on.

Can't see it being lack of oil if you didn't run out

 

[rolo28]

Manged to get burner fired up, took a few presses of the reset button. Hopefully that rules out anything major??

Will ring around 2morrow and try to get some-one to service it.

 

[WHPES]

look at Oil Firing Technical Association - registered professionals for the the oil heating and cooking industry - OFTEC, Kesgrave, Ipswich to find a REGISTERED oil technician

Don't use a cowboy!

 

[kimbo]

The humming or buzzing noise is a clear indication of the motor trying to turn but unable to . As simong says could be the capacitor but it could also be a worn bearing or slightly worn oil pump causing too much resistance for the motor to turn. Either way as WHPES says get an engineer out you wont be able to sort it out yourself. It is very unlikely to be the fuel because if it was the fuel at least it would try and start before locking out.

 

[rolo28]

Quick update. Service guy out today. Water/Dirt had got into the system (line now cleared and drained) and as a result needed a new Service pump. All working fine now. Thanks for all input.

May want to think about changing my tank at some stage as bottom of tank is a bit sludgey. Got a top -up of oil today as well so hopefully all will be fine now (touch wood)
Thanks again

 

[SimonG]

It will help in the time being if you make sure that you don't run your boiler whilst refilling the tank and for a short period after. Will stop the churned up muck and sludge being dragged in.

Glad you got it sorted.

 

[dontknowitall]

dkia diagnosed it wrong ... again!!!

:boxing_smiley:

Frustrating because when I have a boiler in front of me it doesn't take too long to establish what's wrong with it, then order the part (unless I already have one) and fit it.

 

[kimbo]

Make sure you have a filter before the boiler as well as the one on the tank also did the engineer check for water in the tank

 

[Best]

Oil filter is better a paper element type - more expensive & element should be changed often, but they don't let dirt past them. I would fit them just at source - oil tank. Oil tube sight gauges are a problem when plastic tube shrinks & let water etc into pipe, so pays to keep an eye on them. Can potentially rot inside of copper oil line.

 

[rolo28]

Just a further update. New pump also failed due to water/sludge in tank (I saw the filter and it was really dirty). I knew there was a possibility of this happening as engineer did warn me prior to fitting new pump that I really should get tank, lines etc fully cleaned and all water fully removed before fitting the new pump.

I took the chance and it has backfired!

Anyway hopefully getting some-one to come out soon and clean tank, lines etc and save the 500 litres of kero I have in tank currently! - and then get another new pump fitted. Pretty sure water had been getting in via the top of plastic sight guage (which is now sealed)

On the up side at least it has happened now and not when it gets really cold.