Kerosene boiler leak

DYING2DIY

I have a Gerkros Superior 95 boiler which (after about 12 yrs trouble free service) has just started to leak at the inlet to the burner - see picture which was taken with the help of a mirror. The narrow copper pipe is held with a 15mm (I think) nut and this is where the leak is - you can see the kerosene glisten. We were away for 2 days and returned to find a very strong smell in the utility room. It's a very slow leak and the boiler is still working fine.
Can anyone advise if it's just someting like a seal has given up and if this is an easy fix?

whizbang

Is there a flexible steel braid hose feeding this connection?
most likely its the rubber internal hose part that's failed. Replace the hose easily

whizbang

btw great photo. still looking at it..

Billy Bunting

The copper tube you indicate runs upto the top of the burner box where it then connects to a flex tube, i would check around there, as any leak there will run down to the fuel pump connection which if tight can only leak if the tube splits and in which case you'll need an Oftec man.

.243

check the connection where the oil line is plumbed into the burner casing on the inside,ive had the odd one leak there and run down the copper line into the pump

DYING2DIY

I've taken 3 other photos of the boiler which I hope will help. There's nothing leaking from the top end of the copper pipe where it meets the flex tube. The only leak is where the pipe enters the underside of the burner.
.243, have you sorted this problem yourself?

Billy Bunting

Did you try to tighten it ?

.243

Billy Bunting wrote: »

Did you try to tighten it ?

+1,no harm in giving it a small pinch,if that fails it could be weeping from one of the other connections,bleed nut etc

DYING2DIY

Ya... tried to tighten it but it seems to be as tight as it should be and no further movement. It's an awkward one to get at. I could be wrong but I don't think the leak is coming from somewhere else.
With the tank supply shut off, would it be possible for me to undo this connection to inspect / replace?

Billy Bunting

Turn off the oil a the tank (or fire valve if its a wheelhead fitted) and crack it open, not a lot you can do with it, they do split but a replacement pipe would be required.

If you have trouble getting hold of one drop me a PM.

aujopimur

Disconnect the copper pipe, put e few turns of thread tape around the mating end of the pipe and refit.

whizbang

did you run out of oil at any stage recently?
looks like this joint has been used to bleed the air from the supply, and worn/damaged.
pipe will need replacing as its usually a preformed flared end. tape wont work, can get bits into the oil feed.

btw the bearing on the end of the motor shaft where its coupled to the oil pump is often a failure point on these units. €3 for new bearing!

whizbang

hope you didnt get any oil on your nice lenses

DYING2DIY

Not sure if I have or can get at the fire valve. Once tank is shut off, there's only a small run of oil to deal with anyway.

I haven't had to bleed the boiler for over a year and I've only ever had to bleed it twice before then but that's not the joint that's used for this.

Thanks for all the help so far- I'll make enquires about the flared pipe and let ye know if I can get it locally.