Oil Fired Burner not kicking in.

TheChevron

I have a Firebird Burner outside in the back garden fuelled by Kerosene. Last night when I switched on the heating I heard the boiler switch on, then the burner kicked in but went off after a a few seconds.

I checked my oil and the tank is quarter full.

To summarise, it turns on, kicks in and then cuts out after a sec. It keeps trying to go but just cant manage to do it.

Any ideas?

Outkast_IRE

TheChevron wrote: »

I have a Firebird Burner outside in the back garden fuelled by Kerosene. Last night when I switched on the heating I heard the boiler switch on, then the burner kicked in but went off after a a few seconds.

I checked my oil and the tank is quarter full.

To summarise, it turns on, kicks in and then cuts out after a sec. It keeps trying to go but just cant manage to do it.

Any ideas?

could be a dirty photocell, the usual recomendation would be to get a service guy out as if the photocell is getting dirty it may be an indication that its not working 100%

TheChevron

Thanks.

Just out of interest, roughly how much should I be paying for a boiler service?

sullzz

TheChevron wrote: »

Thanks.

Just out of interest, roughly how much should I be paying for a boiler service?

Prob around 90 - 100 euro plus parts , different areas different prices , ive heard of some people charging 65 euro but id seriously question their service

JMSE

If you're handy at things, pull the burner out and have a look at the jet nozzle and the 2 spark points that come together just at the head of the nozzle, you'll know when you see them. If they are manky as in covered in black residue and soot deposits then you might be able to clean them with some very expensive and technical equipment such as earbuds and alcohol.

Then hoover out any ash lying at the base of the boiler unit itself.

Of course all this would be done with all power switched off but if you werent aware of this, then you arent really handy at things at all and should stay away.

Billy Bunting

sullzz wrote: »

ive heard of some people charging 65 euro but id seriously question their service

I charge €65 plus parts, i've been in the trade for a very long time, i'm Oftec/RGI registered, fully insured, carry out a full flue gas analysis, complete a CD11 report, leave a copy with customer, along with print out of the FGA report.
I have a service book with over 400 regular long standing customers who use my service, they don't use me because i'm cheap. :rolleyes:

anuprising

is that €65 plus vat or without vat ?

Billy Bunting

anuprising wrote: »

is that €65 plus vat or without vat ?

Thats plus vat. :cool: i suppose you'll be doing the calculations now :rolleyes: did you ever think of doing this for the revenue. Would you like to know my mark up on parts.

anuprising

nah , let revenue do there own job ,
was just comparing prices , reading another thread for €37 thru groupon for oil , and esb doing gas for €69 now -
so 74 for a service from you plus parts that's good money as most down here are cutting each others throats -

DoneDL

anuprising wrote: »

nah , let revenue do there own job ,
was just comparing prices , reading another thread for €37 thru groupon for oil , and esb doing gas for €69 now -
so 74 for a service from you plus parts that's good money as most down here are cutting each others throats -

€37 will be a hoover out and a poor one at that.

Billy Bunting

Think i read the Groupon one before, it was an out of season (Summer) offer in Dublin and i think the firm were looking for 120 and it was just a customer recrutement campain, mistake at that price IMO. Doubt there was a nozzle seen by any customer, although they did claim they would change it and do a full FGA....SERVICE TIME...... 30 TO 45 MINUTES. :rolleyes:

anuprising

Billy Bunting wrote: »

Think i read the Groupon one before, it was an out of season (Summer) offer in Dublin and i think the firm were looking for 120 and it was just a customer recrutement campain, mistake at that price IMO. Doubt there was a nozzle seen by any customer, although they did claim they would change it and do a full FGA....SERVICE TIME...... 30 TO 45 MINUTES. :rolleyes:

no , the bloke from the company posted on boards , think a link to it in the Laois forum , I will copy and paste don't know how to link

edit - here it is copied and pasted

Hello all, Paddy here from PM Boiler Services.
Fristly, the main reason for going onto groupon was to increase our customers. We are not one of these companies who go out to rip people off with crazy service costs, because once they have done this to the homeowner they will never be called again to work in that particular house again. What we are aiming for is a fair price so the homeowner will service thier boiler annually with us.
Second to address the point above, I am a qualified plumber who has been servicing boilers throughout my carreer but i have consentrated soley on boiler service and instulation for about 5 years. All boilers that i attend to get a complete service! As indicated this means a jet is replaced and if a filter is particularly dirt it will be replaced. If it is not too dirty it will be cleaned. In seeing some of the boiler in the South last week, alot don't even have filters which then incurrs an aditional cost fitting one. Also every boiler recieves a written report including analyais.

I would travel to Portlaoise for 40euro per boiler but would need 6 or 7 boilers to do this.

Regards: Paddy

http://pmboilerservices.com/page4.htm

Billy Bunting

Was it not ........... http://www.groupon.ie/deals/dublin/pm-boiler-services/698370

Hello all, Paddy here from ** Boiler Services.
Fristly, the main reason for going onto groupon was to increase our customers. We are not one of these companies who go out to rip people off with crazy service costs, because once they have done this to the homeowner they will never be called again to work in that particular house again. What we are aiming for is a fair price so the homeowner will service thier boiler annually with us.
Second to address the point above, I am a qualified plumber who has been servicing boilers throughout my carreer but i have consentrated soley on boiler service and instulation for about 5 years. All boilers that i attend to get a complete service! As indicated this means a jet is replaced and if a filter is particularly dirt it will be replaced. If it is not too dirty it will be cleaned. In seeing some of the boiler in the South last week, alot don't even have filters which then incurrs an aditional cost fitting one. Also every boiler recieves a written report including analyais.

I would travel to Portlaoise for 40euro per boiler but would need 6 or 7 boilers to do this.

Regards: Paddy

Billy Bunting

Think we over edited

Same guy, can do a full oil boiler service in "30 - 45 minutes."

Anyone else manage that ??

fro9etb8j5qsl2

I know this may sound silly but I presume you've tried resetting the switch and bleeding the tank? If you haven't, itd be well worth trying before calling someone out

TheChevron

Sorted

I rang the guy who installed the oil burner and he was kind enough to talk me through the process of cleaning the photocell over the phone.

Its a really simple process for anyone who is having the same trouble.


1. Remove the red cover from the burner, usually held on by two flat head screws.

2. Straight in front of you there should be a plug with a squarer top, with a wire coming out of it.

3. Pull that out (may require force) and clean the tip with some tissue paper until it is clear.

4. Replace the plug and red cover and fire the burner up.

5. If this does not work, then you have a different problem.

jacknorton

I have a firebird oil burner, it has a Tiger loop system there is oil in the tank and the bowl but it wont ignite. It use to ignite when you would press the black button on the burner but now it wont start at all. To be honest its been giving trouble since i bought the house which is nearly five years ago now. Any sugestions would be appreciated

Thanks

Billy Bunting

You say "black button", is this the button next to the thermostat on the boiler ??

Is the RED reset button on the burner illuminated ??