Troubleshoot burner unit

makfli

I have a Selectos oil fired burner unit which 'died' yesterday morning. Wonder would anyone suggest guidelines in order to troubleshoot in a logical sequence. Oil tank is half full . When unit is switched on there is a whirring noise as if the oil pump is delivering and its it is attempting to fire. Noise then stops and the reset button pops out. Unit is approx 20 years old.
Any help greatly appreciated.

Micky Dolenz

First off check if oil is reaching the burner pump. Have you vented it before?

JamesM

The Selectos is one of the old style burners and can give trouble in this type of cold weather. You are probably burning Gas Oil, not Kerosene. If the burner is spluttering and trying to fire you may be able to get it going by closing the air shutter - this will act like a choke. You must reset the air shutter exactly the same as you found it. this is very important - otherwise the boiler could soot up - and then you are in real trouble. The early model has a knurled nut at the side of the body, and this is easy to reset to the same place if you move it. The later model has a band that wraps around the opening and is more difficult to reset properly. If it is the knurled nut type, then you mark where it is at the moment amd then loosen the nut and move it upwards. This closes off the air. Reset the button. As the burner tries to start slowly slide the nut down, until, as the boiler warms up, you can get it back to the original position. If this works you should keep the heating on during this cold spell. Make sure that the adjustment goes back to the original position.
If you have the model with the band, then I would not adjust it - maybe try to cut down the air going around the side of the band to cut off the air, when you reset the button. Again - do not keep the air blocked off when the burner settles down. There may also be a build up of carbon on the front of the burner, but that means removing the burner and taking it apart - not to be recomended if you are unsure.
Jim.

makfli

Yes I have bled the oil line and oil is reaching pump. Think I'll leave it for a while until weather gets a bit warmer. fingers get a bit numb when working on it! have an alternative system to heat the house anyway so wont freeze.

makfli

Thanks Jim, yes the fuel is gas oil and last time I looked at the stack when the burner was working noticed a lot of black smoke coming out and thought the unit needed serviceing. But typical left it too late