Firebird boiler playing up

big b

Guys
Since my last post about 3 weeks ago, when I finally got oil into the tigerloop, my boiler's been running great, no problems at all.
Today though, Mrs Big B noticed that the boiler was blowing out black smoke & turned it off. It had been running about half an hour. I saw it working yesterday exactly as normal. Anyway, I asked her to fire it up again so I could have a look, but it won't ignite. I can hear the valves opening & water moving in the pipes, but no ignition, even when I try the red button. On the first attempt, I could hear some unusual noises from the boiler, hard to describe but sounded like mechanical movements.
My boiler is outside, and when I first opened the cabinet it was very hot inside. I've only ever opened it when it wasn't working, so I don't know if that's normal or not? I've tried again since, cabinet has cooled down & I think I can hear water moving, but the boiler doesn't sound as if it's trying to fire.
Is there an auto cut-out if the boiler overheats and does it reset itself eventually, or is there something I should do?

Anyone any ideas what I can try before I have to call out an engineer?

Thanks in advance

copper12

Just a couple of questions
Did you happen to have a power cut ? If the boiler was running it could have overheated' and tripped the overheat stat' this can be reset
This is usually close to the temperature dial
If you did not have a power cut; and if the boiler was not shut down by the isolation switch'
Then you need to find out what caused the system to overheat?
Black smoke? Check that the is nothing blocking the flow of air' to the burner' at this time of year leaves can be sucked into the air intake

big b

Hi Copper

No power cut & all the vents were clear, no "fuse" tripped on the consumer unit in the house. The exhaust from the boiler cupboard is clear too, other than a bit of soot from the smoke.

Just had another go, the motorised valves in the house open, the circulation pump next to the boiler is running, but the boiler doesn't seem to be trying, even if I press the cut-out switch (the red button). Can't hear any ignition spark etc.
I can't see anything else to push, can you tell me what the overheat stat looks like? Do I have to remove a cover to get to it?


Thanks for trying to help!

copper12

Have you the specks on the boiler’ if not give as much information as you can’ on boiler make’ and burner type

mobby

On my Firebird system setup the reset switch is on the Temp control box ie were you set the boiler temp,you have to unscrew a small cap and that should show you the reset button just push to reset. thats how it is on my system, anyway hope it helps.
At least its mild enough atm

JamesM

If the boiler is in a cabinpack, the thermostat has a button as mobby described. It may have overheated and the button needs to be reset.
If there is smoke from the vent, it has something to do with the flame adjustment, not high temperature. Although, if the boiler has sooted up, it may overheat and trip the high limit thermostat. If you see anything other than condensation from the flue vent, there is a problem. When a kerosene burner is running efficiently, you should barely smell anything, and never see smoke.
Jim.

big b

Guys

Thanks very much for the help so far.

Mine is a Firebird Heatpack 90.

I found the reset switch this morning - just where Mobby said it would be- & sure enough the boiler fired up. However, it imeediately started with the black smoke again, and if you were close enough you could smell it too, so I shut it down again.

I was reluctant to change any of the settings on the boiler as it had been running perfectly until the weekend. However, I guess I probably do have to make an adjustment to something. There's a grub screw with a slot end so you can adjust it with a screwdriver, this is below the red button at the front. To the left hand side, there's a screw with allen key fitting.

Being a cack-handed clown on a good day, I don't want to just start changing everything, or I'll never get it all back correctly!
Which one is most likely to need an adjustment?

Thanks again

copper12

you’ve gone as far as you can go without the proper tools
You have determined that the boiler will fire' so at this stage I would recommend that you get the boiler serviced' provided that you advise the Tec' that the reason you are getting the boiler serviced' is because of the black smoke' he will take care of the rest' all you ask for is a standard service
If the boiler cuts out or locks out after this; then you will have to investigate this' they usually only locks because the overheat

JamesM

Copper12 is right, you need a service. The screw with the slot shoud be about 15 to 17 half turns out from fully in. Might work in the short term - but get a service. I think that someone mentioned that you should check for leaves in the air intake. This can cut down the air flow and cause smoking.
Jim.

big b

Thanks again guys.

The air intake is definately clear.

I'll try adjusting the grub screw but deffo get a service call booked too.

You've been very helpful & it's appreciated.

Lord Nikon

My temp should i run my boiler at? there is a temp dial beside the overheat temp reset button, and another with box with a temp dial on it, which maxes out at 90 degrees...

I dont want it to run too hot if it doesnt have too.

Robbie.G

Lord Nikon wrote: »

My temp should i run my boiler at? there is a temp dial beside the overheat temp reset button, and another with box with a temp dial on it, which maxes out at 90 degrees...

I dont want it to run too hot if it doesnt have too.

65-70 degrees

woody71

Oil burner playing up, it's heating up very slowly. i done the air lock check but it's still only kicking in for a few seconds, it's over 15 yrs old now, so old age might be a factor.

K.Flyer

If the boiler comes on when cold and runs for a few minutes as per normal then quite possibly its the circulation pump.

woody71

That does not sound good

K.Flyer

woody71 wrote: »

That does not sound good

If the pump is resonably accessible to get at and replace it should not be too expensive.

woody71

Yeah pump is inside,

Dtp1979

woody71 wrote: »

Yeah pump is inside,

New pump installed will set you back around €160

woody71

Would it be a big deal to replace burner?

K.Flyer

It would be if that's not the problem.

woody71

HAVE GET SOMEONE TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT TOMORROW.