boiler not firing.

piperh

We have kerosene (although not a lot) and the firebird boiler isn't firing. It did first thing this morning and stayed on but have tried since and its as though no kerosene is being drawn through. We have tried bleeding it just in case it was airlocked but to no avail. We have run the kerosene out in the past so I'd be surprised if it is just because it's low.

The guy that services it can't come out til next week.

Any ideas what it could be? And are we likely to be able to sort it ourselves with little knowledge? Thanks

Wearb

If it has been allowed to run out (run dry) too often, then the pump may be damaged or clogged up. Do you have a flow of oil at the allen screw bleed point?

piperh

Wearb wrote: »

If it has been allowed to run out (run dry) too often, then the pump may be damaged or clogged up. Do you have a flow of oil at the allen screw bleed point?

Thanks.

No there is no sign of kero getting to the boiler at all. Would the pump suddenly stop even if the kero hadn't run out recently?

Wearb

Well if you don't have oil at the bleed point -do you?, you cant assume there is anything wrong with the pump (yet). The oil may be just too low in the tank to get there. The filter at the tank may be blocked. The oil line may be blocked or air-locked. The fire valve may be off.

piperh

Wearb wrote: »

Well if you don't have oil at the bleed point -do you?, you cant assume there is anything wrong with the pump (yet). The oil may be just too low in the tank to get there. The filter at the tank may be blocked. The oil line may be blocked or air-locked. The fire valve may be off.

Thanks.
No we don't have kero at the bleed point. I will get more kero and try that. If that doesn't work how do we check the filter?

The fire valve was replaced 3 weeks ago and has been fine since. Didn't even know you could turn it off. How can I check.

Sorry to be so dumb but not looking forward to freezing over the weekend if can't get it sorted.

Wearb

If the fire valve is accessible -and it should be-, you could try and open the feed side of the piping to it and see if you have oil there, (Make sure to turn off the valve at the tank first) hold a jar under the pipe and have someone turn the valve back on at the tank and be ready to turn it off again if you have a good flow at the jar. There should be a filter next to the tank valve (which I expect is open?) at the tank. Most of these have screw off bowls.

You need to know what you are doing when you start opening oil lines and even the filter. If you don't tighten properly you could end up with oil all over the place. Also don't over tighten.

piperh

Brilliant thank you. 1 last question sorry, I assume be feeder you mean the end going to the kero pipe and not the boiler.

KK4SAM

Have you been turning the Fire valve ?
Clockwise to open ! and easy to break the solder joint that provides the Fail safe.

Wearb

piperh wrote: »

Brilliant thank you. 1 last question sorry, I assume be feeder you mean the end going to the kero pipe and not the boiler.

Yes. The pipe coming from the tank. Maybe post a pic of your fire valve also.
Ok. Shoulder to the wheel again for me.

piperh

KK4SAM wrote: »

Have you been turning the Fire valve ?
Clockwise to open ! and easy to break the solder joint that provides the Fail safe.

Nope we've never touched it. As I said heating was working this morning, the scheduled hour finished and then it wouldn't turn back on :-(

piperh

Wearb wrote: »

Yes. The pipe coming from the tank. Maybe post a pic of your fire valve also.
Ok. Shoulder to the wheel again for me.

Thanks your help is appreciated. I will get a picture shortly.

scudo2

Dip the tank with a broom handel.
Less than 3" and your out, don't forget, the oil pipe comes out the side of the tank, not the bottom.

piperh

Thanks we cleared the filter on the tank as it was manky, and it restarted. We have put more kero in and will keep it higher just in case.

Thanks again for the advice we have a warm house again.

Wearb

Good. Keep checking for leaks for a few days. If the filter has a plastic bowel, they are notorious for leaking and should be changed. Just buy a new complete metal filter (inexpensive) and use the metal bowel, filter gauze and new "O" ring on the existing filter.