Riello burner problem

[verdigrey]

Good moaning everyone , I need some help please . Their is an intermitant fault on an oil boiler .
Sometimes the motor on the burner starts up , lights and is fine , but sometimes their is a slight buzzing sound and the motor does not start and the red light comes on . If I tap the burner when it is trying to start it usually goes .
So I thought it is either the motor or the oil pump , I took the oil pump away from the motor and the motor and fan seem to spin quite freely , the oil pump seems a little stiff when I twist it with my fingers , but I am not sure how freely it should spin .
Is it possible that the capacitor on the motor is faulty ? By the way I previously checked the oil pump pressure and it was good and steady .
Any ideas please .

 

[no1keeper]

Sounds like a dodgy motor there mate...have you checked the wiring in the control box for any loose wiring which would cause an intermittent fault?...how old is the burner (i.e is it an oil pump with a solenoid or is it the old motor driven type?

 

[verdigrey]

Thanks no1keeper , The burner is about 8 years old and it does have a solenoid on the pump . It is an RDB 1 . if thats any help .
It has a black plastic control box , I have checked the wireing and it seems okay . Cheers .

 

[no1keeper]

tbh mate if you tap the motor and then it starts i would definately diagnose a faulty motor.Can you access the impellor just to make sure it isn't warped?...one way is to remove the motor and impellor assembly from the burner,then KEEPING HANDS WELL CLEAR,place the motor on the floor and start the motor for a few seconds and see if the impellor is running true.
But it does still sound like the motor needs replacing 🙂

 

[WHPES]

Buzzing sound suggest a relay fault if it goes when tapped. Do you tap the motor or the contol box?

If it is spinning OK when you tap it, try running the motor with the fan cover off and see how easy it is to stop the fan (with a piece of wood) and whether it restarts OK.

Try starting the motor by spinning the fan when it is stuck.

If the motor seems to have enough power, it could be the motor brushes. It may be possible to replace them but I've never tried.

If the motor won't start unless you spin it, it could be the condenser.

The pump should be able to be turned by the metal spindle by your fingers without too much effort.

If it's the motor, it's probably not worth messing on too much just checked -Riello RDB motor £52 plus VAT from Heating World of Spares Might be worth getting one (includes condenser in the kit) plus a spare controller. You're going to need them someday before too long anyway.

 

[verdigrey]

Thanks very much guys , I will put a new motor on and hopefully that will sort it .

 

[WHPES]

Hang onto the old motor. If it's the brushes you may be able to fix it and keep it in your spares box. If it's the windings, then its scrap.

 

[Rusty]

Sorry to come to the party late on this one, but it sounds like all you need is approx £6 for a new capacitor. 😱

 

[micklay]

hi lads ive a riello rdb same thing buzzing and would'nt start so i took the cover off the fan and gave it a spin and away it went up to about 60deg on the boiler stat and went into lock out took the cover off again fan felt little bit stiffer to turn but wont start even with a bit of help whats the story with that moter fecked ????

 

[kimbo]

Just turned on computer. remove oil pump and see if its the pump thats stiff or the motor, it could be the drive dog but its probably the pump. If it is the pump renw it.If its the motor its probably the bearings which can be renewed,

 

[micklay]

thanks a million kimbo ill try that tomorrow fingers crosed