condensing boilers oil type

chrisss

Help please!
Has anyone used a good installation/service person who really knows their stuff about condensing boilers, oil type? Dublin Southside area. We had our boiler installed about 3 years ago and recently had to have the burner/pump replaced(long story!). Since replacement, we have had constant problems with the "electric eye" sooting up. It needs to be removed and cleaned every 2 or 3 days. The usual steam from the outlet stinks of fumes and now we are getting a build-up of fumes inside as well. Also, I am not convinced the thermostat is working properly. We did not have these problems before. I am not inclined to let the same guys at it again:( Any suggestions appreciated!

Billy Bunting

Any Oftec registered service engineer should be able to service and reset the relevent oil pressure, sounds like that maybe where your problem is.

sullzz

Billy Bunting wrote: »

Any Oftec registered service engineer should be able to service and reset the relevent oil pressure, sounds like that maybe where your problem is.

Agree , sounds like oil pressure is wrong , and prob never checked when installed. Would be an easy fix.

heinbloed

Chriss wrote:

Since replacement, we have had constant problems with the "electric eye" sooting up. It needs to be removed and cleaned every 2 or 3 days. The usual steam from the outlet stinks of fumes and now we are getting a build-up of fumes inside as well. Also, I am not convinced the thermostat is working properly.

...the electric eye sooting up.

means that there is an incomplete combustion. Which could be down to an oversupply of fuel or an undersupply of oxigene. Or the wrong fuel type. What does the manual/boiler label say about the type of fuel and what is actually fed?

The usual steam from the outlet stinks of fumes and now we are getting a build-up of fumes inside as well

This is dangerous. Don't use this appliance anymore until a professional has repaired/exchanged it.

Also, I am not convinced the thermostat is working properly

Is the condensate trap filled? Is the smell coming from there? At what temperature does the return arive at the boiler, the temperature of the water coming from the radiators?
As long as the return temperature is above condensation point ("dew point") the condensate trap might have run dry, or half empty. Meaning combustion gases could then enter the sewer, the room. Causing a stench.
The condensation temperature of light home heating oil (kerosene) is 47 degrees Celsius. It is life threatening to run a kerosene-fed condensing boiler with a higher return temperature. Unless it is specially designed for that purpose, for example an outside boiler.

chrisss

Thanks Billy Bunting and Sullzz. Glad to hear it is likely to be a recognisable problem at least. Sick of guys coming to fix the thing and leaving some other problem instead....hence my need to find someone who knows his ass from his elbow!

heinbloed

If the oil pressure was the only problem there wouldn't be a stench in the room.
A stench means the boiler isn't room-sealed. It would be running in an illegal modus, causing risk to life, health and property.

Again: is the condensate trap filled?

Micky Dolenz

Turn off oil valve at tank, open filter. Clean filter, replace. One big reason why burners start sooting up.

chrisss

Heinbleod, when you say over supply of fuel, is that the same as the oil pressure which the others have mentioned? I know it burns kero and heats rads and thats the sum of my knowledge. trap? sewer!! no clue! It has become progressively worse over the last day or two. At first it was just the Sooting, then a faint smell of oil fumes, today it was really dreadful. Its off now.

chrisss

Oil tank and filter are new, fitted a few weeks back

heinbloed

Heinbleod, when you say over supply of fuel, is that the same as the oil pressure which the others have mentioned?

Yes.
If the oil pressure is to high the boiler would get more oil than it could burn. If the pressure was to little it wouldn't burn at all.
So if it burns AND soots it is very likely to high. BUT: a modern condensing boiler ( a modulating condensing boiler) would regulate the pressure down.

Since you can't check the condensate trap we look at the second issue you have mentioned:You said the thermostat mightn't be working. What are the signs, the temperature readings?

chrisss

It is a condensing boiler, fitted two to three years ago. Not sure about modulating. The thermostsat is just a dial marked with unnumbered gradiations, ie there are 5 or 6 marks, top for very hot, lowest mark for coolest. Set about half way the rads were so hot I could not keep my hand on them for more than a couple of seconds so I have been lowering it over a period of days until it is at the lowest mark with no noticable difference in the rads.

tony underfloor

Check with the boiler manufacturer for recommended service engineer. He should recommission boiler because it is obviously running v inefficiently.
he will do a flue gas analysis to ensure it is operating correctly and will be able to give you a print out of results for your records.

Billy Bunting

Agree.

Please chriss, ignore the mumbo jumbo and get yourself a service engineer who will sort the problem without putting the fear of God into you.

.243

pm sent

kscobie

See earlier post re dirty photocell, what type of boiler is it

chrisss

Had a guy here today who knew what he was at. Heating is now up and running again, fume free. I will keep an eye on the photo cell over the next few weeks. It was exactly as you all said, oil pressure too high and not a huge job.